Design and Implementation of a Hybrid Fuzzy Logic Controller with Thermal Energy Storage System for Reference Power Tracking in a Large-Scale Solar Chimney Power Plant

Solar Chimney Power Plant (SCPP) is known as a relatively new technology for electrical power generation from solar thermal energy in a relatively simple structure and reliable operation. SCPP would be one of the main competitors with traditional power generation technologies for the present time and near future. Considering the variable nature of solar radiation and ambient temperature during a day and different days of a year as the main plant's excitation factors, it is essential to control the power output of solar chimney power plant to meet the various demands of local and national electrical grids. The design and implementation of a Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) system for a large-scale solar chimney power plant equipped with natural or artificial thermal storage to meet various base to peak demand patterns studied in this paper. The power error between actual power generation and the reference value and the rate of change in that error are defined as the controller inputs. A knowledge base of IF-THEN rules is generated based on expert knowledge and the dynamic behaviour of the plant. The output of the controller, the opening of the turbine inlet gate, will impose on the plant. Simulation results show that SCPPs equipped with an integrated active and passive control system, including FLC and thermal energy storage, can track daily reference profiles in various grid demand patterns and different ambient conditions.