Using round heliostats - value to enter for the "Heliostat Height"

Hi together,

i´m working on an optimization for a heliostat field in which i need the comparison between rectangular and round heliostats of the same size( reflective area).

To simulate the case with the round heliostat i set the mark for round heliostats (D = W) by using the scripting language ["(SetInput("csp.pt.sf.use_round_heliostats", 1)"]. Subsequent i have to set the "Heliostat Width" to the desired diameter of the round heliostat and can get the respective "Heliostat Area".

That is also described in a few fora with related subjects. ( for example wrote Paul Gilman in "Thermal Capacity Estimation and 3 more question.." that "the heliostat reflective area is the product of the heliostat length and width for rectangular heliostats. For round heliostats, the heliostat width is the diameter, so the area is (Heliostat Width/2)^2 * pi. The field reflective area is the heliostat area times the number of heliostats.")

My current problem is the "unimportant" value of the "Heliostat Height" for round heliostats ("Heliostat Height" can not have the value zero). If i change the value there is no change in the "Heliostat Area" but for a simulation of the case with an optimization there are a lot of differences. I observed in a lot of calculations that the value of the "Heliostat Height" influences the optimization thereby the simulation and the results. For example the "LCOE real".

Do you know the reasons for this behaviour and the influences of the "Heliostat Height"-value? I thought this value have no meaning for the calculation with round heliostats.....

with kind regards

Jonathan-Leon Finkbeiner

Hello,

any news on this one?

Kind regards,
Joe