| Abstract: | This paper presents the application of a robust adaptive control scheme to a distributed collector field of a solar power plant. The major characteristic of a solar power plant is that the primary energy source, solar radiation, cannot be manipulated. Solar radiation varies throughout the day, causing changes in plant dynamics and strong disturbances in the process. The controller uses a robust identification mechanism combined with a finite horizon receding controller to cope with the process dynamics having bounded uncertainties. The controller has been tested using a proven non-linear computer model of the field. Results obtained in the real plant are also shown. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
