Hello,
I am trying to model the output from a parabolic trough CSP plant using SAM's empirical model, but I'm getting very strange results concerning the Thermal Energy Storage.
Whenever the Thermal Energy Into Storage reaches it's maximum level, the Thermal Energy Storage Available jumps to the Storage Dispatch Fraction defined in the Thermal Storage page.
As you will see in the images in attachment, on January 11th at 9 am, while the Thermal Energy Into Storage goes from 9 MWt to 1764.71 MWt (the maximum limit), the Thermal Energy Available jumps from 10.6 MWht to 9172 MWht, or exactly 0.8 times the Maximum Energy Storage (11 470.6 MWht) minus the Tank Heat Losses (4.46 MWt).
This represents an increase of 9161.4 MWht in one hour, which is physically impossible given that the Field Thermal Power Produced only amounts to 1811.8 MWt.
If I'm not mistaken, this seems to be a major bug in the code as it has huge implications in terms of annual energy output.
Another small bug I've noticed is that the inputs for Storage dispatch with and without solar are reversed.
Could you maybe have a look at the file and tell me if it's an issue with my parameters?
Thanks!
Best regards,
Cyrille