Research on the Optimal Design of Heliostat Field Based on Simulated Annealing Algorithm

Abstract

This paper focuses on the optimized design of the heliostat field in depth. First, the spatial relationship between the sun and the heliostat mirror field is determined by calculating the sun's declination, altitude, and azimuth angles, as well as the normal direct radiation irradiance (DNI). Second, the shadow obscuration area and the annual average optical efficiency of each mirror were determined by vector differentiation and mechanistic analysis, combined with Monte Carlo methods. Finally, optimization calculations were performed using a simulated annealing algorithm to derive the optimal values of each decision variable and the corresponding annual average output thermal power.