variables missing in parametric trough simulation

Hello,

I just ran a parametric trough simulation (empirical) and
found some of the output variables that are available
after a single case run (Base case") missing.

Tables - Choose Simulation - Parametric

e.g.
Single Values - Solar Field ($/W)
Single Values - Solar Field (W)

but also many others.

Is there a reason for this behaviour?

Btw, any news on the CSP SDK?

Kind regards,
Joe

Dear Joe,

I could not replicate that issue. When I run a parametric simulation with the empirical trough model, the Solar Field ($/W) and Solar Field ($) output variables are both available in the Single Values table, both for the Base Case simulation and for the Parametric Set 1 simulation. I tested this in both SAM 2013.9.20 and SAM 2013.1.15. Could you attach a .zsam file to your original post that illustrates this behavior?

We're porting the CSP model code from FORTRAN to C++ now, so those should be available in the SDK with the 2014 version of SAM, which we plan to release in about a year (Fall 2014).

Best regards,
Paul.

Hi Paul,

I added three files to the original posts, two images and a zsam file.

Kind regards,
Joe

Hi Joe,

Thanks for attaching those files. Now I do see what you mean.

The reason the cost-related values to not appear under Single Values with the parametric results is that you did a parametric study on the Solar Field Cost per m2 value. If you were to do a parametric study on a non-cost input variable like Location, then you would see the cost variables in the results (and they would be the same for each parametric run).

The reason for that has to do with the way SAM runs simulations and stores values of results. The Solar Field ($) and Solar Field ($/W) and other costs are, technically speaking, not results of the financial model. They are values that SAM calculates from values on input pages and stores separately as it displays the user interface after running simulations. When you run parametric simulations, it does not calculate these special results for each parametric run.

Best regards,
Paul.

Hi Paul,

thanks for the clarification.
I personally prefere SamUL for complex parametric runs anyway.
And of course Matlab as soon as the CSP SDK is established.

Kind regards,
Joe

Hi Joe,
The CSP modules are now available in the SDK. See sam.nrel.gov/node/68918 .
Best regards,

Paul.