Parabolic Trough Steam Booster Heater

Dear Paul,

Why in SAM units it is not specified which one is MWh thermal and which MWh electrical, for instance in monthly profile solar field thermal output is plotted together with Gross electric output with same MWh as units.

Best Regards
Vahan

Dear Vahan,

SAM shows results for the CSP models in MWh, regardless of whether they represent thermal energy quantities or electrical energy quantities. Hopefully the labels make it clear what kind of energy each variable represents.

For the inputs, we try to use different unit labels for thermal and electrical capacity values (MWe for electrical MW and MWt for thermal).

I think it makes sense to show the monthly solar field output and electrical output in the same graph with the same energy units because it gives you information about the efficiencies and energy losses between the solar field outlet and the system's grid connection point.

Best regards,
Paul.

Dear Paul,

Is there a way to control the charging of TES? I mean I want TES to start being charge when power output of power cycle is not nominal but 55% of nominal.
In parabolic trough physical how does "Loop optical Efficiency" is calculated?
In SAM help it is written "Loop optical Efficiency = Aggregate SCA Efficiency * Aggregate Receiver Optical Efficiency"
but what does "Aggregate" means here?

Thank You
Best Regards
Vahan