Startup time and Stand-by period

Dear Paul,

This question refers to the Parabolic Trough Physical Model.

I am afraid that I do not understand SAM’s logic involving the change between operating modes 1 and 2.

The question is: Is start-up time always needed to begin generating electricity?

It is clear for me that in the morning, the first time of the day that SF+TES+Aux reach/exceed min heat turbine needs, the plant should pass through a start-up period in which turbine becomes operational. But then, once you are in Mode 2, if a lack of resource takes the plant to standby period (Mode 1), it is necessary to pass through start-up time again when solar resource becomes available?

I read in SAM’s help that standby period is a startup ready state, but it is not clear for me if that means that the plant does not need to do a new startup (which I think logical) or if the plant is ready to start the start-up operation.

Thanks in advance and best regards,
Alejandro

Dear Alejandro,

Please see the physical trough reference manual for a description of how SAM calculates startup energy. You can search the document for the word "startup" to find the relevant passages.

You can find a link to the manual from the Performance Models page on the SAM website.

Best regards,
Paul.