MANUAL

CSP Calculation Tool (MATLAB / Excel)

This study has been elaborated by the project DKTI-CSP which is working in the context of the
German Climate Technology Initiative. The project is realized by close cooperation between the
Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft
fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The project aims at the creation of the
necessary prerequisites for the successful application and dissemination of Concentrating Solar
Power (CSP) in Brazil.

Project Coordination:
Eduardo Soriano Lousada, Ministrio da Cincia, Tecnologia e Inovao (MCTI)
Torsten Rainer Schwab, Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Authors:
Alexander Koch

Legal references: 1. All results, data or procedures of this study have been carefully compiled
and verified by the authors. However, any errors with regard to the content cannot be
completely avoided. Neither GIZ, nor MCTI or the authors can be held responsible for any claim,
loss or damage caused by using the information contained in this report, or for any errors,
inaccuracies or omission of information. 2. The copying or reproduction of study or parts of it
(including data transmission to medial memory systems) and the distribution for non-commercial
purposes is permitted provided that GIZ and/or MCTI are cited as the source. For all other
commercial purposes, including copying, reproduction, or distribution of the study or any part of
it, it is necessary to obtain the consent of the GIZ and/or the MCTI.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. 3
1

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 5
1.1

MOTIVATION AND GOALS OF THE TOOL ................................................................ 5

1.2

BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................... 6

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND ........................................................................................ 7

2.1

TIME AND ENERGY AVAILABILITY............................................................................ 7

2.2

SOLAR POTENTIAL .................................................................................................... 8

2.3

SOLAR POTENTIAL REDUCTION DUE TO TECHNICAL NON AVAILABILITIES ...... 9

PROGRAM STRUCTURE .................................................................................................10

3.1

GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (Calculation Tool.m / Calculation Tool.fig) ........11

3.2

EXCEL FILE FOR INPUT PARAMETERS (Input_Parameters.xlsm) ........................17

3.2.1

Short Overview of the different Excel Sheets .......................................................17

3.2.2

Input Assistant Features ......................................................................................19

3.2.3

Basic Data ...........................................................................................................21

3.2.4

Data for Operation ...............................................................................................25

3.2.5

Default Units ........................................................................................................40

3.3

EXCEL FILE FOR IRRADIATION DATA (Irradiation Data.xlsx) ................................42

3.4

EXCEL FILE FOR SOLAR POTENTIAL RESULTS (powerdata for consideration.xls)

42

3.5

EXCEL FILE FOR SOLAR POTENTIAL RESULTS (powerdata for consideration.xls)

45

PROGRAM USAGE ...........................................................................................................46

4.1

BEFORE GETTING STARTED USERS ADVICE.....................................................46

4.1.1

Further Development of the Calculation Tool .......................................................46

4.1.2

Basic Settings Failures ........................................................................................46

4.2

WORKING STEP ORDER FOR DIFFERENT ACTIONS ............................................47

4.2.1

Basic Simulation Sequence .................................................................................47

4.2.2

Modeling a Power Plant .......................................................................................48

4.2.3

Variation of power plant parameters. ...................................................................49

1 INTRODUCTION
This manual describes the application, functioning and motivation of a calculation tool for the
availability calculation of Concentrated Solar Power Plants (CSP), which was developed from
April 2014 to July 2015 by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
GmbH in consultation with the Empresa de Pesquisa Energtica (EPE National Energy
Planning Authority of Brazil).
In order to convey a comprehensive understanding, this manual first deals with the motivation
and main goals of the tool and explain the background of the development of the tool. After that,
the theoretical background of the calculation methods will be explained briefly. Based on this the
structure and the application of the tool will be described in the last two chapters.

1.1

MOTIVATION AND GOALS OF THE TOOL

Starting point for the programming of the calculation tool was the ongoing development within
the Brazilian energy market. Due to the great increase of energy demand and given restriction
in the expansion of hydro power in Brazil it is getting more and more important to diversify
Brazils energy matrix while keeping the national energy supply as reliable, environmentally
friendly and as cost efficient as possible.
In contrast to most other forms of power generation technologies, Brazils experience with CSP
is not that significant.
In order to evaluate the reliability of CSP plants, their suitability and potentials for the Brazilian
energy market and in a second step successfully implement them in the national electricity
auction system, the calculation tool was developed as an easy way to simulate CSP plants, as a
help to figure out the effects of different configuration possibilities and to make the technology
tangible.
The main goal of the tool is the calculation of time and energy availability (both terms are
described in Chapter 2). Therefore it considers important and characterizing power plant
parameters, irradiation data and the default characteristics of essential power plant
components.
The program itself is divided into two stages, which analyze the potential amount of energy
which a CSP power plant can produce in a certain time period and the amount of hours in which
it can be operated during that time.
On the one hand there is the meteorologically determined availability, which describes how a
certain plant (installed capacity, storage size, auxiliary firing capacity, efficiencies and losses are
determined) can be operated with a certain irradiation scenario.
In the second stage of the model, the uncertainty of technical defaults is evaluated. Therefore
the default characteristic of each component has to be described and is used to simulate default
times of a component. To determine the impact of technical non availabilities, the tool runs a
Monte Carlo simulation in which failure times for various components are generated and its

impact on the power plant operation is considered. The average reduction of the
meteorologically determined availability in all simulations performed is considered as the
reduction that can be most likely expected.
Although there exist already some powerful programs which can be used to simulate the
energy production of CSP power plants over time (e.g.: Time Series Simulations in
EBSILON by STEAG Energy Services GmbH and System Advisor Model by National
Renewable Energy Laboratory [NREL]), the developed tool still has a unique position by
combining plant simulations and the consideration of technical failures.
In addition to that, the developed tool is able to consider auxiliary firing quite accurate
which clearly differentiates it from other tools available.
The simplified linear consideration and simulation of CSP plants furthermore make it possible to
improve the understanding of this kind of power plants and makes it possible to easily
experiment with plant configurations by easily upscale and downscale plants and plant
parameters of plants that have already been modelled.

1.2

BACKGROUND

Originally the calculation tool was developed to generate results for a master thesis, whose
topic was Time and energy availability calculations of different concentrated solar power plant
configurations considering Brazil as potential location of operation. Despite a large number of
simplifications made, verification tests with the developed tool showed that the calculated
results are highly accurate. Therefore the tool was further developed and became more user
friendly.
Since the theoretical foundations are explained extensively in this master thesis, this manual will
refer to it at some parts.
The master thesis was published in Portuguese (Clculo do fator de disponibilidade e fator de
capacidade de diferentes configuraes de usinas heliotrmicas considerando o brasil como
local de gerao) and German (Berechnung der Zeit- und Arbeitsverfgbarkeit verschiedener
solarthermischer Kraftwerkskonfigurationen unter Bezugnahme auf Brasilien als
Erzeugungsstandort). References will always be made to the Portuguese version.

2 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
As it was written before, the calculation tool is divided into two different steps. On the one hand
there is the calculation of the meteorologically determined energy and time availability which
characterizes how much energy the considered CSP plant can produce within a certain time
period for a given direct normal irradiation (DNI) data in W/m and determined plant parameters.
This is called the calculation of the solar potential of a power plant.
On the other hand, there is the calculation of the impact of technical failures that will probably
occur during the simulation period. This is called the calculation of the solar potential due to
technical non availabilities.
The theoretical background of these two calculation stages will be described roughly in the next
sub-chapters as well as the theoretical basics of power plant availabilities.

2.1

TIME AND ENERGY AVAILABILITY

Typically there are two different kind of availabilities considered for power plants.
On the one hand there is the time availability, that describes the relation of operating hours of a
power plant in a certain period (TP-TNA) to the amount of runtime hours that the power plant
could have been operated theoretically (TP) in case that there would have been no non
availability periods (TNA) at all.
Time Availability: =

On the other hand the availability of a power plant can be described as Energy Availability,
which relates the amount of energy that was generated by a plant in a certain period
(considering the reduction due to non availabilities), to the amount of energy that could have
been produced if the power plant would have been operated in full load operation all the time.
Energy Availability: =

For conventional base load power plants the so called non availabilities can be classified into
two different categories: The planned and unplanned non availabilities.
Planned non availabilities are caused by planned maintenance measures and can be shifted
over time and changed in their extent, while the unplanned non availabilities are caused by
technical defaults that can occur all over sudden at various components of the power plant.
In comparison to conventional power plants, the availability of CSP power plants is influenced
by one additional main factor: The availability of the Sun.
Due to the fact, that the consideration of planed non availabilities is a really complex topic
because a variation of the revision does influence the frequency and the extent of unplanned
non availabilities planned non availabilities are not considered in the developed calculation
tool.
Instead the two factors of influence, which can be analyzed by the tool are:
1. The availability determined by the availability of the sun (Solar Potential or
Meteorologically determined Availability)

2. The impact of technical non availabilities.

A more detailed explanation of availability theory can be found in the Portuguese Version of the
master thesis (P.26 and following pages)

2.2

SOLAR POTENTIAL

To develop a tool that can calculate the meteorologically determined availability it is necessary
to develop a CSP model first, that makes it possible to reproduce the typical usage of a CSP
power plant.
The chosen principle of operation that is used by the tool can be seen in Figure 1.
On the x-axis of the coordinate system a decreasing sun irradiation can be seen. The y-axis
indicates the gross power output of a CSP-power plant that can either be generated by the use
of solar energy, or by the use of energy stored in thermal storages or fed in by auxiliary firing.
It can be seen that the power plant is able to generate the maximum output by the use of solar
energy only, if the irradiation is powerful enough. In addition to that the power plant is able to
use the solar energy surplus to fed it into the thermal storage (green area).
If the irradiation falls below a certain point the power plant will not be able to generate the
maximum power output with the use of solar power only. In that case the stored solar energy
can be used to catch up the lack of energy.
If there is not enough energy stored in the thermal storage the power plant will start to use the
auxiliary firing as well to continue full load operation.
Once the irradiation falls below a certain point and the auxiliary firing and the heat storage will
not be able to completely catch up the lack of energy it comes to part load operation of the
plant.
If the load case of the power plant falls below a certain minimum the operation will be stopped
completely.

Figure 1 Principle of Operation for a CSP plant

The three available types of energy supply are always used with the following priority:
1. Use of solar energy
2. Use of the stored thermal energy
3. Use of auxiliary firing
Considering this basic model with its priority order, different operation modes can occur. All
possible modes of operation can be seen in the Portuguese version of the master thesis. (P. 39
and 40).
During the development of the tool it was never planed to create a highly accurate
thermodynamic simulation tool. The main goal was instead to use a lot of simplifications to
design a tool that makes it easy to model power plants and is still providing results that are quite
accurate.
This objective has been achieved by considering the power plant as a combination of different
cycles that can be characterized with linear simplifications (constant, hourly changing and linear
efficiencies / constant and linear own consumptions).
To see how the different considerable parts of a power plant look like and what kind of
efficiencies are considered by the model please have a look into the Portuguese Version of the
master thesis (P.41-43).
A detailed overview of the different calculation steps for the simulation of the solar potential can
be seen from page 44 to page 52.

2.3

SOLAR POTENTIAL
AVAILABILITIES

REDUCTION

DUE

TO

TECHNICAL

NON

To analyze the Impact of technical non availabilities it is necessary to:

1. Generate a availability circuit diagram of the power plant.
2. Characterize all important power plant components regarding to their default behavior.
3. Execute a Monte Carlo Simulation to determine the average impact of technical non
availabilities.
A comprehensive explanation of this three topics can be seen in the Portuguese version of the
master thesis (Transforming a circuit diagram into an availability circuit diagram: P. 32-34 |
Default behavior of components: P.27-32 | Explanation of the Monte Carlo Simulation and the
single Calculation steps P. 54-67).

3 PROGRAM STRUCTURE
The main tool consists of three different main components whose central element is the
Graphical User Interface that allows the user to open all other relevant tool parts and to start the
simulation.
The three main parts of the program are:

The Graphical User Interface (Calculation Tool.m)

The Excel file which includes all relevant parameters for the simulation and the power
plant (Input_Parameters.xlsm)
The Excel file which includes all the direct normal irradiation data that will be used to
calculate the solar potential (Irradiation Data.xlsx)

Depending on which calculation stage is being executed the tool generates two different Excel
files which include following simulation results:

Excel file with the hourly solar potential results (if corresponding calculation stage has
been executed)
Excel file with the calculation results of the Monte Carlo Simulation (if corresponding
calculation stage has been executed)

In addition to this the tool uses two additional Excel files which are not visible to the user:

Excel file with calculation results for each hour, which is used for the second calculation
stage (reduction of solar potential due to technical non availabilities)
Excel file containing datasets for hourly optical and cosine efficiencies for a whole year
for optimized solar fields of central receiver and parabolic trough plants (Optical and
Cosine Efficiencies.xlsx). This Excel file will be used by the Excel file
input_parameters.xlsm to determine the hourly changing efficiency for a solar field for a
chosen coordinate in Brazil.

Due to the fact that this two Excel files are not made for interaction with the user, they will not be
described extensively in this Manual. Instead the handling of and the access to this files will be
described at the corresponding interfaces.

3.1

GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE

(Calculation Tool.m / Calculation Tool.fig)

This is the main part of the calculation tool. All possible actions of the MATLAB tool will be
executed and all relevant Excel files can be opened from here.
The graphical user interface consists of three different parts (can be seen in Figure 3):
1. The Button Bar (refer to Figure 2 Button bar - Graphical User Interface)

Figure 2 Button bar - Graphical User Interface

The Button bar is the area of interaction with the user and consists of six different
buttons:
a. Open Input Parameter
With this button the Input_Parameters.xlsm file can be opened, to determine
simulation and power plant parameters.
b. Calculate and Show Results
To start the simulation this button has to be pressed. MATLAB will then use the
parameters and data sets of Input_parameters.xlsm and Irradiation Data.xlsx.
c. Open Solar Potential Results
This button opens the Excel file with the solar potential results of the last
simulation (powerdata for consideration.xls).
d. Open Monte Carlo Results
This button opens the Excel file with the solar potential results of the last
simulation (reduced powerdata.xls).
e. Clear all Result
With the use of this button all tables and the pie chart will be cleared.
f. Open Irradiation Data
By pressing this button the Excel file Irradiation Data.xlsx is opened.

2. The Result Tables (Refer to Figure 3)

The result tables are departed in three different parts, which will be explained below.
a. The upper red table shows a short overview of the most essential simulation and
power plant parameters that have been determined in Input_Parameters.xlsm:
Table 1 Upper Result Table - Graphical User Interface

Simulation Period
[in h]
Number of Monte
Carlo Simulations

Nominal Power
Output (gross)
[in MW]
Nominal Storage Size
[in h]
Nominal Power
Auxiliary Firing [in MW]

Solar Irradiation at
Design [in W/m]

Indicates how many hours have been simulated.

Indicates how many simulations were calculated in
the Monte Carlo simulation. This line is only
meaningful if the reduction of solar potential due to
technical non availabilities has been simulated.
Indicates how big the nominal power output of the
simulated power plant is.
Indicates how much energy can be stored in the
thermal storage.
Indicates how much energy can be fed into the
respective cycle of the power plant in which the
auxiliary firing is installed.
Indicates the solar irradiation for which the power
plant has been designed for.

b. The green middle table shows the main results of the solar potential calculation.
Table 2 Middle Result Table - Graphical User Interface

Hours of Energy
Production [in h]
& Time Availability [in %]

Gross Power Output

[in MWh]
Energy Availability [in %]

Solar Share [in MWh]

The left cell indicates the sum of hours in which

the power plant was able to produce energy
during the considered simulation period.
In the right cell of the table the time availability
(hours of energy production in relation to the
theoretically possible amount of production hours
within the simulation period) is indicated.
The left cell indicates the sum of Energy produced
by the power plant during the considered
simulation period.
In the right cell of the table the energy availability
(sum of energy production in relation to the
theoretically possible amount of energy which
could have been produced during the simulation
period) is indicated. This figure equals the
capacity factor
Indicates the amount of gross energy which was

produced with solar energy. The right cell

indicates the share as percentage.
Storage Share [in MWh]
Indicates the amount of gross energy which was
produced by energy from the thermal storage.
The right cell indicates the share as percentage.
Auxiliary Share [in MWh] Indicates the amount of gross energy which was
produced by energy from the auxiliary firing. The
right cell indicates the share as percentage.
Own Consumption 1
Indicates the amount of energy which is
(without consideration of
consumed by the power plant.
external energy) [in MWh] It also takes energy consumption in account
which exceeds the produced gross power output
during a certain hour.
The right cell indicates this value as percentage in
relation to the overall gross power output.
Own Consumption 2
Indicates the amount of energy which is
(with consideration of
consumed by the power plant.
external energy) [in MWh] It does not consider the amount of energy
consumption that is exceeding the gross power
output during a certain hour.
The right cell indicates this value as percentage in
relation to the overall gross power output.
Net Power Output 1
Indicates the residual energy which can be fed
(without consideration of
into the grid. Net Power Output 1 is the difference
external energy) [in MWh] of Gross Power Output and Own Consumption 1.
The right cell indicates this value as percentage in
relation to the overall gross power output.
Net Power Output 2 (with Indicates the residual energy which can be fed
consideration of external
into the grid. Net Power Output 2 is the difference
energy) [in MWh]
of Gross Power Output and Own Consumption 2.
This values can not be negative.
The right cell indicates this value as percentage in
relation to the overall gross power output.
If the solar potential is not calculated during a simulation because the tool is only
executing a Monte Carlo Simulation these values will be generated out of the
powerdata.xls file

c. The yellow bottom table shows the main results of the calculation of the solar
potential reduction due to technical non availabilities.
Table 3 Bottom Result Table - Graphical User Interface

Reduction of Hours of
Energy Production [in h]

Energy Reduction [in

MWh]

Hours of Energy
Production [in h]
& Residual Time
Availability [in %]

Gross Power Output [in

MWh]
& Residual Energy
Availability [in %]

Net Power Output 1

(without consideration of
external energy) [in MWh]

Net Power Output 2

(with consideration of
external energy) [in MWh]

Indicates the amount of runtime hours that is

subtracted from the originally calculated solar
potential.
The right cell indicates this value as percentage
in relation to the overall gross power output
Indicates the amount of energy that is
subtracted from the originally calculated solar
potential.
The right cell indicates this value as percentage
in relation to the overall gross power output
The left cell indicates the sum of hours in which
the power plant was able to produce energy
during the considered simulation period.
In the right cell of the table the reduced time
availability (Hours of Energy Production in
relation to the theoretically possible amount of
production hours within the simulation period) is
indicated.
The left cell indicates the reduced sum of energy
that the power plant produced during the
considered simulation period.
In the right cell of the table the energy
availability (sum of energy production in relation
to the theoretically possible amount of energy
that could have been produced during the
simulation period) is indicated.
Indicates the residual Energy which can be fed
into the grid.
The right cell indicates this value as percentage
in relation to the overall gross power output.
Note: This is just a rough quantification. Own
Consumption 1 is simply reduced by the same
percentage rate as the gross power output and
is than subtracted from the new gross power
output.
Indicates the residual energy that can be fed
into the grid.
The right cell indicates this value as percentage

in relation to the overall gross power output.

Note: This is just a rough quantification. Own
Consumption 2 is simply reduced by the same
percentage rate as the gross power output and
is than subtracted from the new gross power
output.
In case that a Monte Carlo simulation is not executed by the program no results
will be shown in this table.
3. The Pie Chart (refer to in Figure 3)
The pie chart visualizes the share of energy which was converted into energy directly
from the solar field, the thermal storage and the auxiliary firing regarding to the gross
power output in the simulated period. By visualizing the shares that way it is easy to
figure out the importance of each energy source.
Due to the fact that the thermal storage stores the solar energy surplus these two pieces
of the pie chart are visualized in a comprehensive manner, while the auxiliary piece of
the pie chart is visualized apart.
The pie chart is labelled with its percentages. The colored arrows on the left refer to the
corresponding line in the green table, where the absolute values are shown.

Figure 3 Graphical User Interface - Calculation Tool

EXCEL FILE FOR INPUT PARAMETERS (Input_Parameters.xlsm)

3.2

In the Excel file Input_Parameters.xlsm all input parameters (except for the direct normal
irradiation data) can be adjusted, saved and scaled up or down.
It can be opened either manually by opening the Excel file (Input_Parameters.xlsm) in the tools
folder or by clicking the Open Input Parameters button.
Notice: Please notice that all adjustments will only be considered by the Excel file if the changes
have been saved before the Calculate and Show Results button is pressed.
The file includes 14 different excel sheets whose tabs can be seen in the graphic below.

Figure 4 Tab Overview of Input_Parameters.xlsm

3.2.1 Short Overview of the different Excel Sheets

Archive
This sheet is used by a macro to save and load modelled power plant projects.
Basic Data
In this sheet the simulation data and the basic power plant configuration can be
adjusted.
Data for Operation
In this sheet all operation parameters of the power plant can be adjusted.
Default Units
In this sheet the default behavior of each power plant component can be characterized.
Manual Mirror Efficiencies
In this sheet the hourly changing efficiencies of the solar field can be defined manually.
Manual Cosine Losses
In this sheet the hourly changing cosine losses can be defined manually.
Calculated Mirror Efficiencies
In this sheet the hourly changing mirror efficiencies will be calculated automatically for a
certain coordinate within Brazil.
Calculated Cosine Losses
In this sheet the hourly changing cosine losses will be calculated automatically for a
certain coordinate within Brazil.
LatLon
Support sheet for the Excel file which is used to pick the right cosine and mirror
efficiencies for a certain location in case that the optical efficiencies will not be entered
manually.
Optical Eff Archive Parabol

Support sheet for the Excel file which is used to pick the right cosine and mirror
efficiencies for a certain location in case that the optical efficiencies will not be entered
manually.
Cosine Eff Archive Parabol
Support sheet for the Excel file which is used to pick the right cosine and mirror
efficiencies for a certain location in case that the optical efficiencies will not be entered
manually.
Optical Eff Archive Tower
Support sheet for the Excel file which is used to pick the right cosine and mirror
efficiencies for a certain location in case that the optical efficiencies will not be entered
manually.
Cosine Eff Archive Tower
Support sheet for the Excel file which is used to pick the right cosine and mirror
efficiencies for a certain location in case that the optical efficiencies will not be entered
manually.
Table for Images
Archive in which several pictures are stored which will be used by the Data for Operation
sheet.

In the following sub-chapters only the three main tabs Basic Data, Data for Operation and
Default Units will be described cell by cell and button by button.
There are some input assistant features included, which will be explained first (Chapter 3.2.2).

3.2.2 Input Assistant Features

3.2.2.1

Pop up notices (Input_Parameters.xlsm)

To make the calculation tool as self-explaining as possible the Excel input file (Input
parameters.xlsm) has been equipped with a lot of notes that will pop up when a colored input
cell is clicked. If there are some doubts about the function and meaning of some of the cells it is
recommended to look these notes.

3.2.2.2

Automatic Data Verification

Within the Excel file almost every input cell will be double checked by the Excel file to avoid
illogical input parameters that may cause errors in the simulation.
If an input, which that is identified as illogical or runs contrary to another input entered, an error
message will pop up informing about the incompatibility of the entered data (Wrong Input Data).
Further information about possible failures will be indicated in an error message.
The most likely failures that may occur are:
Entering a manual input into a list cell
Some cells contain lists with preset inputs. Only inputs included in the list are permitted.
Exceeding a maximum value / falling below a minimum value
Most cells do have restrictions in form of a minimum or a maximum value (e.g.: most
efficiencies cannot exceed 100 % or fall below 0 %).
Violating the order
To interpolate different load case efficiencies it is important that the load cases in the
reference column are in order. If an entered value violates this rule an error message will
inform you about this violation.

3.2.2.3

Color Code

To improve the ease of use and the clarity of the Excel file the file Input_Parameters.xlsm
includes a color code that indicates the function of a cell.
The meanings of the different cell colors are explained in the following table:
Table 4 Color Code (Cells) - Input_Parameters.xlsm

Information Cell / Heading Cell (Locked)

(slight gray)
These type of cells usually contain table information and shortly describe what kind of data
can be seen below or on the right side.
Basic Input Cell (Workable)
(green)
In this kind of cells the most common inputs can be entered (e.g.: Efficiencies, capacities,
restrictions etc.).
Load
case
Data

reference
column
(Workable)
(yellow)
These type of cells contain the considered load cases for the corresponding power plant cycle
Own
Consumption
Cell
(Workable)
(purple)
These cells contain constant or linear own consumptions that describe the consumption
behavior of a certain power plant part .
Suggestion Cell Own Consumption (Locked)
(Blue hatched)
These cell contain the suggestions for the own consumption. Suggestions can be accepted
via pressing the corresponding button.
Suggestions (Locked)
(blue)
These cells contain suggestions regarding efficiencies, cycle restrictions or the solar multiple
To accept them a corresponding button can be pressed.
(Conversion) Result Cell (Locked)
(dark gray with white
font)
At some parts of the Excel file entered data is converted into other units. This gray conversion
result cells show the results of this conversions. In some cases these cells also contain
further processed data (e.g.: time zone for a chosen coordinate)
Note: Some result cells use parameters of other cells to calculate, therefore illogical
calculation results may occur until the power plant has not been fully modeled.
Consideration Decision (Workable)
(green with red
font)
At some parts of the Excel file it is possible to choose between different considerations (e.g.:
load cases of the primary cycle can be entered in MW or in percentage). The cells where this
decision are made are marked with a red font and a green background.
Unchangeable
Load
Case
Data
(Locked)
(gray)
These cells contain the load cases for the auxiliary firing. They can not be changed and
always contain 6 different load cases which are increasing in 20% steps.

Standard Cells (Locked)

(dark
gray)
These cells contain the standard cases that will be used to upscale and downscale power
plant parameters.

3.2.3 Basic Data

The Basic Data sheet can be divided into four different sections whose functions will be
described in the following sub-chapters.

3.2.3.1

Simulation Data (Line 1-4)

In the upper section of the Basic Data sheet the three main parameters of every simulation can
be determined by the user:

Figure 5 Input_Parameter.xlsm - Basic Data (Simulation Data)

Which Calculation should be done? [C-D 3]

(List)
The user can choose if all calculations should be executed (Both Calculations) or if just
one of the two stages will be executed (Solar Potential or Reduction due to technical non
Availabilities (Solar Potential needed))
Note: The execution of the second stage only (Reduction due to technical non
Availabilities (Solar Potential needed)) is only possible if the calculation of the solar
potential has already been executed for the modeled power plant. Therefore this function
does only make sense if it is just about varying the default unit parameters. If power
plant parameters have been changed since the last calculation of the solar potential it
will no longer produce logical results.
Simulation Duration [C-D 4]
(Manual Input)
Determines the size of the simulation period.
How many Repetitions per Monte Carlo Simulation [G 3]
(Manual Input)
Determines how many Monte Carlo simulations will be executed in the second
calculation stage. To get reliable results the amount of repetitions should be above 1000.

3.2.3.2

Basic Configurations (Line 4-15 / 23-28)

In the second section of the Basic Data sheet the main parameters of the simulation can be
determined by the user:

Figure 6 Input_Parameter.xlsm - Basic Data (Basic Configurations)

Nominal Power (gross) [in MW] [C-D 6-7]

(Manual Input)
Determines the maximum amount of energy that can be generated in full load operation.
Storage Capacity [in full load hours] or [in MWh] [C-D 8-9 or G 8-9]
(Manual Input)
Determines the maximum amount of energy that can be stored in the thermal storage.
The size of the thermal storage can either be defined in full load hours [C 8-9] (which
means that a fully loaded storage can provide enough energy for a certain amount of full
load operation hours) or in MWh [G 8-9]. As soon as a value bigger than zero is entered
in one of the two cells the other cell will be blackened.
If both cells are left empty or if both values are equal to zero no storage will be
considered.
In two conversion cells [J 6-7 and J 8-9] the entered storage size will be displayed in
MWh and full load hours. To convert the storage size from MWh to full load hours or the
other way around, the full load efficiencies of the primary, secondary and the storage
cycle have to be considered. As long as these parameters (Data for Operation) have not
been adjusted properly the converted results may not be correct.
Nominal Power Auxiliary Firing [C-D 10]
(Manual Input)
Determines the maximum capacity of the auxiliary firing that can be fed into the
corresponding cycle.
CSP-Type [C-D 11]
(List)
In this cell the user can choose if a central receiver system or a parabolic trough plant
will be simulated.
Auxiliary Firing [C-D 12]
(List)
Determines if the auxiliary firing is installed in the primary or secondary cycle. This
decision will influence the whole simulation due to the fact that losses may occur
between the primary and secondary cycle which reduce the usable capacity of the
auxiliary firing in retrospect.

Solar Irradiation at Design-Point [C-D 13]

(Manual Input)
Determines the amount of solar irradiation per square meter that the power plant was
designed for. This variable does influence the size of the needed reflective area of the
solar field, which is calculated in the sheet Data for Operation.
Heat-Transfer Medium Primary Cycle [C-D 14]
(List
and
Manual
Input)
This variable is implemented to define the type of power plant that was modeled as
accurate as possible. It will be adopted in project name, so that the different projects can
be separated easily. Once a lot of projects will have been modeled these variables will
contain the information why certain efficiencies have been varied.
Cooling [C-D 18-19]
(Manual Input)
This variable is implemented to define the type of power plant that was modeled as
accurate as possible. It will be taken over into the project name, so that the different
projects can be separated easily. Once a lot of projects will have been modeled these
variables will contain the information why certain efficiencies have been varied.

In addition to that, the second section of the Basic Data sheet contains two buttons which
execute certain macros.

Figure 7 Input_Parameter.xlsm - Basic Data (Quick Adjustment of Operation Data)

Quick Adjustment of all Operation Data Values (Except for own Consumptions)
[H-K 23-25]
(Button)
This button will accept all suggestions for efficiencies, losses and load case restrictions
that are suggested by Excel (Data for Operation sheet). This button is mad for the
variation of power plant parameters once a project has been modeled completely. It is
not recommended to use this button before the modeling has been finished.
Quick Adjustment of all own Consumptions [H-K 26-28]
(Button)
This button will accept all own consumption suggestions that are suggested by Excel
(Data for Operation sheet). This button is made for the variation of power plant
parameters once a project has been modeled completely. It is not recommended to use
this button before the modeling has been finished.

3.2.3.3

Simulation Data for the Beginning of the Simulation

(Line 16-19)

In the third section of the Basic Data sheet the starting conditions of the power plant can be
adjusted:

Figure 8 Input_Parameter.xlsm - Basic Data (Simulation Data at the Beginning)

Power Plant in Standby Mode? [C-D 17]

(List)
This Parameter determines, if the power plant is shut down or if it is operated in standby
mode at the beginning of the simulation.
Storage Level at the Beginning [C-D 18-19]
Defines how much thermal energy is stored in the power plant at the beginning of the
simulation.

3.2.3.4

Save and Load Data (Line 21-28)

The fourth Section of the Basic Data sheet was designed to save and load projects. Therefore it
has several cells that can be used to determine the name of a modeled project and to choose a
storage location to save or load a project:

Figure 9 Input_Parameter.xlsm - Basic Data (Save and Load Data)

Project Name [C-I 21]

(Unchangeable)
This cell indicates the actual name of the project that will be used to save the project.
Originally it contains the type of power plant, the location of the auxiliary firing, the
irradiation data at design, heat transfer medium of the primary cycle, the type of cooling
and a suffix, that can be entered in [C-I 22].
Manual Name [K 21]
(List)
This cell can be used to choose a name manually. If required, the Parameter can be
switched to Yes. It is then possible to enter a name in [C-I 22]. In that case the project
name does not contain further content
Name Suffix [C-I 22]
(Manual Input)
In this cell the project name suffix can be entered.
Save Project [A-B 23-25]

(Button)

This button is used to safe a project. If this button is clicked a dialogue box will pop up
and prompt you to enter a storage location. If this storage location is already used the
process will be aborted.
Before the project will be saved all reference cases (See chapter 3.2.4) will be updated
automatically.
Note: The saving process may take some time (up to two minutes)
Storage Location [C 28]
(List)
In this cell a storage location can be selected. Once a storage location is selected [DF 27-28] will indicate, if the project location is empty or, in case that a project is saved to
that location display the name of the saved project.
Load Project Location [A-B 26-28]
(Button)
This button will execute the loading procedure.
Note: The loading procedure may take some time (up to two minutes)

3.2.4 Data for Operation

The Data for Operation sheet contains all import parameters that deal with the operation of the
power plant (efficiencies, losses, load cases, load case restrictions etc.). In addition to that it
also contains some features that will automatically design some parts of the power plant,
regarding to the inputs that have been made. Furthermore some macros are included that will
automatically adapt power plant parameters to changes that have been made.
In the following sub-chapters all user relevant cells and buttons will be introduced.

3.2.4.1

Exemplary Figure of the Chosen Power Plant (Line 1-14)

The upper section of the Data for Operation sheet deals as an information table, which shows
roughly which parts of the power plant can be designed in the following sections.

Figure 10 Input_Parameter.xlsm Data for Operation (Power Plant Figure)

Therefore it contains a figure in the upper left corner that shows a power plant with the chosen
configuration (determined by CSP type [C-D 11] (Basic Data) and auxiliary firing [C-D 12] (Basic
Data)). This figure presents which type of efficiencies and losses can be adjusted at certain
locations of the power plant. For a better understanding an explanatory legend of the losses and
efficiencies can be seen on the right side [I 3-9].
In addition to that, two different buttons can be found in this section of the sheet:

Accept all Suggestions (Except for Consumptions) [I-L 11-12]

Accept all Consumption-Suggestions [I-L 13-14]

(Button)
(Button)

The functions of these two buttons are similar to the two buttons the Basic Data sheet ([H-K 2325] and [H-K 26-28]).
For a detailed explanation see chapter 3.2.3.2.

3.2.4.2

Steam Cycle Data (Line 16-23)

In the second section of the Data for Operation sheet the steam cycle parameters can be
determined by the user:

Figure 11 Input_Parameter.xlsm Data for Operation (Steam Cycle Data)

Load Cases Steam Cycle [A 18-22]

(Manual Input)
In this cells the load cases that will be considered for the interpolation of the linear
efficiencies can be determined in %.
The determined load cases will be converted into MW in [B 18-22]. These conversion
cells can not be changed by the user.
Reset Table to Original State [A-E 23]
(Button)
If changes have been made to the load cases, a click on this button will immediatly reset
the load cases to the 20 % intervalls.
Efficiencies Steam Cycle [C 18-22]
(Manual Input)
Defines the efficiency of the steam cycle for the chosen load cases.

Own Consumptions [E 18-22]

(Manual Input)
Defines how much electricity is used for the operation of the steam cycle at the different
load cases.

Change Standard Consumption [G-N 17]

(Button)
A click on this button will save the actual own consumptions as the reference case.
These values will be stored in [P 18-22]. As a reference the actual load cases will be
stored as well (in [P 18-22]). These standard consumption references will than be used
to suggest actual own consumptions in case that the primary cycle load cases will be
varied.
Suggested Own Consumption [E 18-22]
(Unchangeable)
This cells contain suggestions, which are based on the standard consumption [O-P 1822]. This suggestions can not be changed by the user.
Accept Consumption-Suggestions [D 17-22]
(Button)
By a click on this button the suggested own consumptions will be accepted for each load
case.
Minimum Load Case [G-H 20]
(Unchangeable)
Determines the lowest possible load case for the steam cycle, in which a safe operation
can be guaranteed. If this load case can not be reached, the secondary cycle has to be
shut down.
In the conversion cell [G-H 22] the minimum load case entered in [G-H 20] is converted
into MW for information purpose.
Max Standby Time [I-J 20]
(Manual Input)
Determines the maximum duration in which a standby operation can be guaranteed. As
long as the power plant will be operated in standby it will be able to immediately continue
energy generation. If this period is exceeded, the power plant will be shut down.
Startup Time [I-J 22]
(Manual Input)
Determines the duration of the startup process. For a succesful startup process a certain
load case [K-L 22] must be guaranteed at any hour. Otherwise the start up process will
be cancelled.
Efficiency Factor during Startup [K-M 19]
(Manual Input: 01)
Determines it the powerplant is able to produce electricity during start up.
1 Energy can be converted in the same way as it can be during normal operation
0 No usable electricity will be produced during startup phase.
The user can enter any number between 0 and 1.
Minimum Load Case for Startup [K-L 22]
(Manual Input)
Determines the load case that has to be ensured during a succesful startup process.
The determined value is converted into MWh for information purpose and is indicated in
[M-N 22].
If the load case falls below this value the startup process can not be continued.

3.2.4.3

Primary Cycle Data (Line 24-39)

In the third section of the Data for Operation the primary cycle parameters can be determined by
the user:

Figure 12 Input_Parameter.xlsm - Data for Operation (Primary Cycle Data)

Considerationof Load Cases [D-E 25]

(Manual Input)
Determines if the load cases are entered in MW or in %.
Automatic Load Case Calculation [I-J 25]
(List)
If this value is switched to yes the load cases will be determined automatically in 20 %
steps. In this case the entered load cases in column A and B will not be considered.
To manually determine the different load cases the parameter must be switched to "No".
In each case the load cases that have been chosen can be seen in the conversion cells
([D 27-37])
Load Cases Primary Cycle [A 27-37]
(Manual Input)
In this cells the load cases can be determined in MW.
Note: Since the grey cells in line 31 represent the 100 % load case they will always be
determined automatically.
Load Cases Primary Cycle [B 27-37]
(Manual Input)
This cells the load cases can be determined in %.
Note: Since the grey cells in line 31 represent the 100 % load case they will always be
determined automatically.
Efficiencies [C 18-22]
(Manual Input)

Defines the efficiency of the steam cycle for the different load cases.
Own Consumptions [E 18-22]
(Unchangeable)
Defines how much electricity is used for the operation of the primary cycle in the different
load cases.
Change Standard Consumption [L27 37]
(Button)
A click on this button will save the actual own consumptions as the reference case.
These values will be stored in [N 27-37]. As a reference, the actual load cases will be
stored as well (in [M 27-37]). These standard consumption references will then be used
to suggest actual own consumptions in case that the primary cycle load cases will be
varied.
Suggested Own Consumption [F 27-37]
(Unchangeable)
These cells contain suggestions for the own consumption, which is related to the
standard consumption [M-N 27-37]. This suggestions can not be changed by the user.
Accept Consumption-Suggestions [G 27-37]
(Button)
By a click on this button the suggested own consumptions will be accepted for each load
case.
Maximum Load Case [H-I 30]
(Manual Input)
Determines the maximum amount of thermal energy, that can be fed into the primary
cycle at once.
If this cell is left empty or set to zero the maximum load case is equal to the maximum
value that will be reached in the conidered period.
Change standard maximum Load Case (dependent on nominal Load Case primary
Cycle) [I-K 26]
(Button)
A click on this button will save the actual maximum load case as the reference case.
This value will be stored in [O-Q 29]. As a reference the actual nominal load cases will
be stored as well (in [R-T 29]). These standard consumption references will than be
used to suggest actual maximum load cases in case that the primary cycle load cases
will be varied.
Suggested maximum Load Case [J-K 30]
(Unchangeable)
This cell suggests a typical load case restriction regarding to the nominal load case of
the primary cycle and the values saved in [O-Q 29]. and [R-T 29].
Minimum Load Case [H-I 37]
(Manual Input)
Determines the minimum amount of thermal energy, which has to be fed into the primary
cycle to operate it. If this value is not reached, the primary cycle will not be operated.
Change standard minimum Load Case [I-K 26]
(Button)
A click on this button will save the actual minimum load case as the reference case. This
value will be stored in [O-Q 37]. As a reference the actual nominal load cases will be
stored as well (in [R-T 37]). This standard consumption references will than be used to
suggest actual minimum load cases in case that the primary cycle load cases will be
varied.

Suggested minimum Load Case [J-K 37]

(Unchangeable)
This cell suggests a typical load case restriction regarding to the nominal load case of
the primary cycle and the values saved in in [O-Q 37]. and [R-T 37].
Accept Suggestions [J-K 31-32]
(Button)
By a click on this button the suggested maximum [J-K 30] and minimum load case
[J-K 30] of the primary cycle will be accepted.

3.2.4.4

Storage Cycle Data (Line 40-48)

In the fourth section of the Data for Operation sheet the main parameters of the Storage and the
Storage cycle can be determined by the user:

Figure 13 Input_Parameter.xlsm - Data for Operation (Storage Cycle Data)

Efficiency [A 42]
(Manual Input)
In this cell the constant efficiency of the heatexchanger between the secondary and the
primary cycle can be adjusted.
Suggested Efficiency [B 42]
(Unchangeable)
This cell suggests a constant efficiency for the heat exchanger. If the primary cycle is
operated with salt (determined in Basic Data [C-D 14]) the tool will suggest an efficiency
of 100 %, because no heat exchanger is needed. Otherwise the suggestion will be 99 %.
Own Consumptions [C-E 42]
(Manual Input)
Defines how much electricity is used if the storage cycle is in operation (Whenever
energy is fed into the storage or if storage energy is fed into the primary cycle).
Since the own consumption of the storage cycle is considered as constant, it is
recommended to adjust it to the amount of electricty that will be used to by the storage
cycle if the power plant is operated on full load by the use of storage only.
Change Standard Consumption [L 41-42]
(Button)
A click on this button will save the actual own consumption of the storage cycle (in
[N 42]) and will relate it to the actual nominal load case (in [M 42]) of the primary cycle.
These reference case will be used to suggest a new own consumption (in [F 42]) if the
primary cycle parameters are varied.

Suggested Own Consumption [F 42]

(Unchangeable)
This cell contains a suggestion for the own consumption of the storage cycle regarding
the saved reference consumption and nominal load case of the primary cycle (reference
case in [M42] and [N 42]). It cannot be changed manually.
Accept Consumption-Suggestions [G 27-37]
(Button)
By a click on this button the suggested own consumption [F 42] will be accepted.
Maximum Load Case [H-I 42]
(Manual Input)
Determines the maximum amount of thermal energy, that can be fed into the storage
cycle at once.
If this cell is left empty or set to zero the maximum load case is equal to the maximum
value that will be reached in the conidered period.
Suggested Maximum Load Case [J-K 42]
(Unchangeable)
Suggests a maximum load case for the storage cycle, regarding to the nominal load
case of the primary cycle.
Accept Suggestions [G 41-42]
(Button)
By a click on this button the suggested maximum load case of the storage cycle [J-K 42]
will be accepted.
Consideration of Storage Loss [C-F 45]
(List)
This cell determines if the hourly loss is constant or if it should be dependent on the
actual storage level. In addition to that it can be used to determine if the losses will be
entered in MWh or %.
Hourly Loss [A 47]
(Manual Input)
Determines the hourly loss of the storage in % or MWh.
The conversion cell in [D-F 47] converts this value into MWh. In case that a load case
dependent consideration of storage losses is chosen this cell displays the range of
energy losses that can occure.
Suggested hourly Loss [B-C 47]
(Unchangable)
This cell contains a typical hourly storage loss depending the chosen power plant
parameters. The tool will always suggest a storage loss of 0,066% of the maximum
storage capacity (and convert it into MWh if necessary).
If a load dependent loss consideration is chosen the suggested percentage will be
doubled (0,12%).
Accept Suggestions [J-K 31-32]
(Button)
By a click on this button the suggested hourly loss [B.C 47] will be accepted.

3.2.4.5

Receiver Data (Line 49-64)

In the fifth section of the Data for Operation sheet the receiver losses can be determined:

Figure 14 Input_Parameter.xlsm - Data for Operation (Receiver Data)

Load Cases Receiver Cycle [A-B 51-64]

(Manual Input)
In these cells the considered load cases of the receiver can be chosen.
Losses [C 51-64]
(Manual Input)
In this cells the receiver losses for the corresponding load cases can be determined.
Change Standard Losses [F 51-64]
(Button)
A click on this button will save the actual receiver load cases and losses and relate them
to the actual size of the solar field (load cases saved in [G 51-64]; losses saved in [H 5164]). These relativized standard losses will then be used to upscale or downscale the
receiver losses if the size of the solar field is changed.
Note: Since this function uses the actual size of the reflective area of the power plant the
power plant has to be modelized completely before it is possible to sensefully use this
function.
Generate Losses from Reference Receiver Data [D 51-64]
(Button)
A click on this button will adapt the receiver load cases and losses to the actual size of
the solar field. Since the size of the solar field and the receiver losses are effecting each
other this Adaption will be executed several times automatically (iteration) to increase
accuracy.

3.2.4.6

Optical Efficiencies Data (Line 65-76)

In the sixth section of the Data for Operation sheet the main parameters for the optical efficiency
can be adjusted:

Figure 15 Input_Parameter.xlsm - Data for Operation (Optical Efficiencies Data)

Constant Mirror Efficiency [C 72]

(Manual Input)
In this cell the constant mirror efficiency can be adjusted.
Automatic Calculation of Mirror Efficiencies via Coordinates [C 68-69]
(List)
This cell determines if the mirror efficiencies will be entered manually (No) or if they will
be calculated automatically (Yes). In the following chapter the input of the manual
mirror efficiencies will be explained as well as the automatic calculation of mirror
efficiencies.
Note: Automatically calculated mirror efficiencies will already include cosine losses.
Therefore the Excel file will ignore any entered cosine efficiencies.
Automatic Calculation of Cosine Efficiencies via Coordinates [C 75-76]
(List)
This cell determines if the cosine efficiencies will be entered manually (No) or if they
will be calculated automatically (Yes). In the following chapter the input of the manual
cosine efficiencies will be explained as well as the automatic calculation of mirror
efficiencies.
Note: The Excel file is not able to automatically calculate cosine efficiencies only for
central receiver systems. Therefore it is recommended to either enter cosine and optical
efficiencies manually if a central receiver system will be simulated or to choose
automatic calculation of calculation efficiencies (cosine efficiencies are included). If that
special case occurs a text message will pop up in [A-C 77] and will explain the problem.
Latitude [K-L 68] and Longitude [K-L 69]
(Manual Input)
If Yes is chosen in [C 68-69] or in [C 75-76] it is necessary to enter the exact
coordinates of the power plant. Excel will then search for the closest coordinates which
the optical efficiencies are saved in an external archive and will use this coordinates for

the calculations. The chosen power coordinates are displayed in [M-N 68] (latitude) [MN 69] (longitude).
Brazil has been considered as a grid of 445 coordinates (one each 150 kilometers).
Therefore the closest coordinate chosen by Excel, will never be more far away than 106
kilometers from the entered one.
The chose the the right coordinate Excel uses the Excel sheet LatLon.
Note: It is not possible to consider coordinates outside of brazil. If a coordinate outside of
brazil is chosen the Excel file will jump to the closest one within brazil.
(Brazils range of coordinates:
Latitude: from -33,9579 to 5,1260 | Longitude: from -73,9292 to -34,8003)
Refresh Solar Field Efficiencies (regarding to coordinates) [J-N 65-66]
(Button)
Once the latitude and longitude values have been adjustet the Refresh Solar Field
Efficiencies Button can be clicked.
This will execute a macro that will access another Excel file (Optical and Cosine
Efficiencies.xlsx). Within this file for a lot of different coordinates optical and cosine
efficiencies are stored. By executing the macro, the Calculated Mirror Efficiencies and
the Calculated Cosine Losses will be actualized to the newest datasets that are stored in
Optical and Cosine Efficiencies.xlsx for the chosen coordinates.
Time Zone [L 70] / [N 70] / [N 71]
(Manual Input)
Since Brazil is divided into several time zones it is important to consider the right time
zone so that the optical and cosine efficiencies will match the entered irradiation data. To
guarantee a uniform consideration of time, time zones are always considered in GMT
wintertime
In most cases the excel file will choose the right time zone on its own and indicate it in
[L 70], but in some rare cases (When the chosen location is very close to a time zone
border) there is a chance that Excel chooses the wrong time zone.
In that case a correction of the time zone can be entered in [N 70] and the efficiencies
will be shifted by the entered amount of hours.
The time zone that will finally be used is shown in [N 71].
To choose the right time zone excel uses the sheet LatLon.
Note: It is not possible to shift the actual time zone by more than three hours.
If the time zone is changed manually it is not necessary to execute the Refresh Solar
Field Efficiencies (regarding to coordinates) button.

3.2.4.7

Calculated and Manual Mirror and Cosine Efficiencies

This chapter shortly explains where the automatically calculated and the manually entered
mirror and cosine efficiencies can be seen. Furthermore it will be described how the calculation
of the automatically calculated coordinates works.
If the automatic calculation of mirror efficiencies via coordinates in [C 68-69] or the automatic
calculation of cosine efficiencies via coordinates [C 75-76] is switched to No it is necessary to

enter manual efficiencies for a whole year on an hourly base.

This efficiencies can be entered in the Manual Mirror Efficiencies and the Manual Cosine
Losses sheet (an extract of both sheets can be seen in Figure 16).
The idea behind this manual inputs sheets is, that accurate efficiencies that have been
calculated elsewhere can be copied into the Excel file to make the simulation more accurate.
Note: It is always necessary to enter the data for a whole year. In case that some of the 8760
cells in column B will be without a value it is not possible to start the simulation of the solar
potential.

Figure 16 Extract from the two Manual Mirror and Cosine Efficiencies Sheets

3.2.4.8

Calculated Mirror and Cosine Efficiencies

If the automatic calculation of mirror efficiencies via coordinates in [C 68-69] is switched to Yes
the Excel program will calculate own efficiencies for each hour of the year and use them.
Since the calculation of optical efficiencies of mirror fields is a very complicated topic, a
simplified approach was chosen.
Instead of implementing a function that can calculate the solar field efficiencies a parabolic
trough systems and a central receiver systems have been simulated in SAM and have than
been set to 127 coordinates in Brazil. For the simulation of each coordinate the solar field has
been optimized for the chosen location.
The 127 coordinates (can be seen as red marked spots in Figure 17) were defined with a
distance of 300 kilometers to each other. For each of this coordinates the solar field was
optimized and the hourly efficiencies of the optimized solar field for a whole year have been
stored to an archive Excel file (Optical and Cosine Efficiencies.xlsx).
To increase the accuracy of the generated coordinate-grid efficiencies of the different
coordinates have been interpolated to generate ne coordinate based efficiency data. This was
done in two steps:
1. Interpolations between coordinates with the same latitude (can be seen as violet marked
crosses in Figure 17) have been made.
2. Interpolations between coordinates with the same longitude (can be seen as green
marked crosses in Figure 17) have been made.
With this interpolations the amount of coordinates could be increased from 127 to 445.
Even though this approach is not the most accurate one, it is a good opportunity to quickly
change the location of a power plant and simulate the new solar potential.

Figure 17 Coordinate-Grid for the automatic Calculation of the Optical and Cosine Efficiencies

Once the Refresh Solar Field Efficiencies (regarding to coordinates) button is clicked the
efficiencies for a certain location will be copied from the archive file into the Calculated Mirror
Efficiencies and the Calculated Cosine Losses sheet (an extract of both sheets can be seen in
Figure 16).

Figure 18 Extract from the two Calculated Mirror and Cosine Efficiencies Sheets

3.2.4.9

Auxiliary Firing Data (Line 78-85)

In the ninth section of the Data for Operation sheet the main parameters of the auxiliary firing
can be determined by the user:

Figure 19 Input_Parameter.xlsm - Data for Operation (Auxiliary Firing Data)

Load Cases [A-D 80-85]

(Unchangeable)
In these cells the considered load cases of the auxiliary firing are listed in % [A-B] and
MW [C-D]. Auxiliary firing load cases will always be considered in 20 % intervalls and
therefore cannot be changed.
Own Consumptions [E-F 80-85]
(Manual Input)
Defines how much electricity is used by the auxiliary firing for different load cases.
Change Standard Consumption [H-I 80-81]
(Button)
A click on this button will save the actual own consumptions of the storage cycle and
relate it to the actual load cases of the auxiliary firing.
Load cases will be saved as actual reference cases in [J 80-85] and the actual own
consumption for the corresponding reference load case in [K 80-85]. These standard
consumption references are used for the own consumption suggestion.
Suggested Own Consumption [G 80-85]
(Unchangeable)
This cell contains a suggestion, for each load case of the auxiliary firing regarding to the
saved reference cases in [J 80-85] and [K 80-85]. This cells cannot be changed
manually.
Accept Consumption-Suggestions [H 80-85]
(Button)
Is used to accept the suggested own consumptions.

3.2.4.10

Solar Field and Residual Consumption Data (87-102)

In the last section of the Data for Operation sheet the main parameters of the solar field can be
determined. In addition to that the basic own consumptions of the power plant for different
operation modes can be determined.

Figure 20 Input_Parameter.xlsm - Data for Operation (Solar Field and Residual Consumption Data)

Minimum Solar Irradiation [C-D 89-90]

(Manual Input)
In this cell the minimum solar irradiation can be adjusted. If the incoming solar irradiation
falls below this value, the solar field will not be operated.
Own Consumptions [H 89-90]
(Manual Input)
Defines how much electricity is used by the solar field if it is in operation.
Solar Multiple [C-D 91]
(Manual Input)
The solar multiple describes the relation the relation of the solar field size that is chosen,
to the solar field size that would be necessary to operate the power plant in full load
operation if design irradiation is coming in.
Suggested Solar Multiple [E-F 92]
(Unchangeable)
The suggested solar multiple is calculated with the following formula:

= 1,3 +
10
In case that there is no thermal storage installed, the suggested solar multiple will be 1.
Accept Suggestion [E-F 92-93]
(Unchangeable)
Is used to accept the suggested own consumptions.
Overall Optical Efficiency at Design [C-D 92]
(Manual Input)
Determines the optical efficiency of the power plant at design. In case that the optical
efficiency at design is unknown, cell [C-D 93] displays the maximum optical efficiency
that is reached by the power plant in a certain hour over the year. This value can be
used as a reference to determine the optical efficiency at design.
Reflective Area for Calculation [C-D 96]
(Unchangeable)

This cell displays the actual reflective area of the plants solar field. To calculate this
value the reflective area that is necessary to reach the full load operation at design point
is calculated and multiplied with the solar multiple.
Cooling Coefficient [C-D 98-99]
(Manual Input)
The cooling coefficient describes the ratio of the maximum energy that is needed to heat
up the primary cycle when it is cooled down completely and the size of the solar field
(Receiver Area for Calculation [C-D 96]). The maximum energy that is resulting out of
this value is displayed in [C-D 102]. The cooling coefficient makes it possible that the
maximum energy for startup can be scaled down automatically if the size of the solar
field is changed.
If the primary cycle is operated with salt it is recommended to set the cooling coefficient
to zero and increase the own consumption for certain operation modes (standby and
shut down) to represent the fact that a salt cycle will always be kept close to the
operation temperature to prevent it from freezing.
Maximum Cooling Duration [C-D 100-101]
(Manual Input)
The maximum cooling duration describes the amount of time it takes the primary cycle to
cool down completely after it is shut down.
Constant Own Consumptions Power Plant [K 88-91]
(Manual Input)
Defines how much electricity is used by the power plant itself in different operation
modes. The four different operation modes that can be adjusted are:
o Operation Mode [K 88]
The standard amount of electricity that is used during normal operation.
o Standby Mode [K 89]
The standard amount of electricity that is used during standby operation.
o Shutdown [K 90]
The standard amount of electricity that is used while the power plant is shut
down.
o Startup Mode [K 91]
o The standard amount of electricity that is used during startup operation
Change Standard Consumption [H-K 94]
(Button)
A click on this button will save the actual constant own consumption of the power plant
and will relate it to the nominal gross power output of the power plant. This reference
case will be used to suggest new own consumptions (in [F 42]) if the nominal size of the
power plant is varied.
In addition to that the own consumption of the solar field will be saved as a reference as
well. The solar field own consumption is related to the reflective area for the calculation.
Suggested Own Consumption [L 88-91]
(Unchangeable)
This cells contain suggestions, for the standard own consumption of the power plant
regarding to the saved reference consumption and the nominal gross power output of
the power plant.
Accept Consumption-Suggestions [H-K 93-94]
(Button)

By a click on this button the suggestions for the constant own consumptions of the
power plant and the own consumption of the solar field will be accepted.

3.2.5 Default Units

In this sheet of the Input_Parameters.xlsm file the default units can be characterized. Therefore
the components can simply be entered line by line into the table.
The headers of the table can be seen in the figure below:

Figure 21 Input_Parameter.xlsm - Data for Operation (Default Units)

Nr [A]
(Unchangeable)
Simply numbers the components to provide a better overview.
Name [B]
(Manual Input)
This parameter does not have any impact on the simulation results. Nevertheless giving
each component a name will provide a better overview.
[C]
(Manual Input)
Determines the alpha value of the Weibull distribution for the considered component.
[D]
(Manual Input)
Determines the beta value of the Weibull distribution for the considered component.
Default Duration [E]
(Manual Input)
This value determines how much time will be needed to get the component repaired.
Renewing-Factor [F]
(Manual Input)
Describes if the component is fully renewed after a default (how many previous working
hours should be considered after a default [in %]?).
0 Component will be completely renewed
1 Component will only be set into operation conditions. No renewing
Restrictions for Renewing Factor [G]
(Manual Input)
It is possible to define two different renewing factors:
1. After a certain amount of failures the component will be completely renewed (number
between 1 and 20).
2. A certain amount of previous working hours that have to be considered due to
temporary renewing will not be exceeded (number > 20).
Note: It is not necessary to enter a value into this cell. If this cell is left empty no
restrictions will be considered.
Availability Section [H]
(Manual Input)

This cell defines which availability section the component belongs to. Components in
parallel circuits belong to the same availability section. If this is the case both
components have to get the same availability section number
.k out of m group [I]
(Manual Input)
Determines if a component does belong to a special k out of m circuit.
To characterize a k out of m circuit all components of the considered circuit have to be
numbered with the same number.
Note: It is not necessary to enter a value into this cell.
k [J]
(Manual Input)
Determines how many components out of the k out of m circuit have to fail before the
whole availability section will fail.
If the component does not belong to a k out of m circuit please enter zero.
Impact 1 [K]
(Manual Input)
Determines if a default of the component will permanently reduce the load case of
corresponding power plant cycle, during its default.
Note: It is not necessary to enter a value into this cell. If the component does not have
any impact 1 onto the overcapacity of the availability section, leave this cell empty or
enter zero.
Please make sure that each component does only have one of the two impact kinds.
Impact 2 [L]
(Manual Input)
Determines if a default of the component will permanently reduce the maximum load
case of corresponding power plant cycle, during its default.
Note: It is not necessary to enter a value into this cell. If the component does not have
any impact 1 onto the overcapacity of the availability section, leave this cell empty or
enter zero
Please make sure that each component does only have one of the two impact kinds.
Overcapacity [M]
(Manual Input)
Determines how much of the nominal load case of the power plant part can be provided
by the considered availability section. Each availability section should always be able to
provide 100 %. If there is some overcapacity installed, please choose a value bigger
than 100 %.
Note: It is really important to enter a value. If no value is entered the defined component
will not have any impact on the availability.
Cycle Affiliation [N]
(List)
Determines which part of the power plant the component will affect.
Runtime Hours Consideration [O]
(List)
Determines how much hours of operation the component will collect during the
simulation period.

The grey colored cells are not made for user interaction and simply convert the text input from
column N and O into a numeric code.

3.3

EXCEL FILE FOR IRRADIATION DATA (Irradiation Data.xlsx)

This Excel file contains the irradiation data that will be used to calculate the solar potential.
Since all the simulations are hourly based the irradiation data has to consist of one Value per
hour.
All datasets have to be listed in the first column of the Excel file, starting with the irradiation data
for the first simulation hour.
The amount of irradiation data values can be freely varied (from one to infinity).
Depending on the chosen simulation duration the tool will loop or cut the irradiation data until it
matches the amount of simulated hours. Although this function is working for every dataset size,
it is recommended to choose a dataset size that is a multiple of 24, to comply with a daily
rhythm.
Typically data should be entered for one year (8760 values).

3.4

EXCEL FILE FOR SOLAR POTENTIAL RESULTS

(powerdata for consideration.xls)

In this Excel file the results of the solar potential simulation can be seen.
The file contains 35 different results for each simulation hour, which are written into 35 different
columns. The hourly results are presented in the lines, starting in the third line. The first line
shows the header of each column and the second line shows the overall result of the
corresponding column.
The table below contains information about the results shown in the different columns.
Colum Column Name
Explanation
Unit
No
1
HourOfSimulation
In this column the simulation hours are
counted
2
DNI
Indicates the DNI
W/m
3
DNIwithCosineLoss
Indicates the DNI reduced by the cosine loss
W/m
4
PowerOutputGross
Indicates the amount of energy which was MWh
generated
5
SolarEnergyToPrim
Indicates the amount of solar energy fed into MWh
the primary cycle
6
SolarEnergyToSteam
Indicates the amount of solar energy fed into MWh
the secondary cycle
7
AuxToPrim
Indicates the amount of auxiliary energy fed MWh
into the primary cycle
8
AuxToSteam
Indicates the amount of auxiliary energy fed MWh
into the secondary cycle
9
StorageFillingWithoutLosses Indicates the amount of thermal energy fed MWh
into the storage without consideration of the
heat exchange losses at the storage cycle

10

StorageFillingWithLosses

11

EnergyFromStorage

12

StorageEnergyToSteam

13

StorageLevelOld

14

StorageLevelNew

15

SolarShareInMW

16

SolarShareInPercent

17

StorageShareInMW

18

StorageShareInPercent

19

AuxShareInMW

20

AuxShareInPercent

21

StandardOwnConsumption

22

OwnConsumptionSolarField

23

OwnConsumptionStorage

24

OwnConsumptionSteam

25

OwnConsumptionPrim

Indicates the amount of thermal energy fed

into the storage with consideration of the heat
exchange losses at the storage cycle
Indicates the amount of thermal energy that
was used from the thermal storage
Indicates the amount of thermal energy from
the storage fed into the secondary cycle
Indicates the storage level at the beginning of
each hour
Indicates the storage level at the end of each
hour
Indicates the hourly share of solar energy that
was fed into the secondary cycle
Indicates the share of solar energy fed into
the secondary cycle, in relation to the overall
amount of energy fed into the secondary
cycle
Indicates the hourly share of thermal energy
from the storage that was fed into the
secondary cycle
Indicates the share of energy from the
storage fed into the secondary cycle, in
relation to the overall amount of energy fed
into the secondary cycle
Indicates the hourly share of auxiliary energy
that was fed into the secondary cycle
Indicates the share of auxiliary energy fed
into the secondary cycle, in relation to the
overall amount of energy fed into the
secondary cycle
Indicates the amount of electricity that was
used to operate the power plant in the
corresponding operation mode
Indicates the amount of electricity that was
used for the solar field
Indicates the amount of electricity that was
used by the operation of the thermal storage
Indicates the amount of electricity that was
used by the operation of the secondary cycle
Indicates the amount of electricity that was
used by the operation the primary cycle

MWh

MWh
MWh
MWh
MWh
MWh
%

MWh

MWh
%

MWh

MWh
MWh
MWh
MWh

26

OwnConsumptionAux

27

OwnConsumptionSum

28

NetOutput1

29

NetOutput2

30

RuntimeHoursPowerPlant

31

RuntimeHoursSolarField

32

RuntimeHoursAux

33

RuntimeHoursStorage

34

RuntimeHoursStorageCycle

35

RuntimeHoursPrim

Indicates the amount of electricity that was

used for the auxiliary firing
Indicates the total amount of electricity that
was used
Indicates the residual energy that can be fed
into the grid. Net power output 1 can reach
negative values
Indicates the residual energy that can be fed
into the grid. Net power output 2 can not
reach negative values
Indicates the amount of runtime hours that
the secondary cycle collected to so far
Indicates the amount of runtime hours that
the solar field collected so far
Indicates the amount of runtime hours that
the auxiliary firing collected so far
Indicates the amount of runtime hours that
the storage collected so far
Indicates the amount of runtime hours that
the storage cycle collected so far
Indicates the amount of runtime hours that
the primary cycle collected so far

MWh
MWh
MWh

MWh

h
h
h
h
h
h

3.5

EXCEL FILE FOR SOLAR POTENTIAL RESULTS

(powerdata for consideration.xls)

In this Excel file the results of the Monte Carlo simulation can be seen.
The file contains five different results for each simulation, which are written into five different
columns. The simulation results are presented in lines, starting in the third line. The first line
shows the header of each column and the second line shows the average results of the
corresponding column.
The table below contains information about the results shown in the different columns.
Colum Column Name
Explanation
Unit
No
1
SimulationNumber
In this column the simulation are counted
2
ReducedPowerOutput_ Indicates reduced gross power output of the power MWh
Gross_inMWh
plant
3
ReducedHoursOf
Indicates the reduced amount of runtime hours
H
EnergyProduction_inh
4
EnergyAvailability_
Indicates the reduced energy availability
%
Percentage
5
TimeAvailability_
Indicates the reduced time availability
%
Percentage

4 PROGRAM USAGE
4.1

BEFORE GETTING STARTED USERS ADVICE

Although it was a main goal during the development of the program to make the tool run as
stable as possible it is still possible that failures may occur during operation. If failures occur
please do not hesitate to contact the developer of the calculation tool (e-mail:
[email protected]). Permanent feedback will help improving the tool and its stability.

4.1.1 Further Development of the Calculation Tool

The program itself was designed openly so that changes can be made within the MATLAB script
as well as in the excel files without the use of any password. Nevertheless the Excel files have
been locked, so that no changes will be made by accident.
To further develop the tool and implement new formulas or functions into an Excel file simply
unlock the corresponding sheet by right clicking the sheet tab and unprotect it. The MATLAB
files do not have any protection. If it is necessary to change certain functions simply open the
corresponding m file and start rewriting it. To make working with the m files as easy as possible
the script is commented quite detailed.

4.1.2 Basic Settings Failures

If failures or illogical results occur they may occur for simple reasons. The following three
advices will help avoiding illogical results and crashes:
1. It may be possible that the files with the detailed results contain illogical values. If this is the
case please make sure, that Excel is using . as decimal separator and , as thousands
separator.
2. If failures occur during the operation of the tool please check if the needed Excel input files
do exist, if they are saved in the tools folder and if they still set to the right format (.xslm or
xlsx)
The needed files are:
Input_Parameters.xlsm
Irradiation Data.xlsx
3. If failures are produced directly after any button of the GUI is pressed the GUI most likely
has not been started correctly. In this case please close the GUI and make sure, that it is
opened by opening the Calculation Tool.m instead of using the Calculation.fig file. Once
the Calculation Tool.m file is opened in the MATLAB editor you can click on the run button.

4.2

WORKING STEP ORDER FOR DIFFERENT ACTIONS

The objective of this chapter is to provide a checklist, which will tell the user in which order
actions have to be executed to get the required results.

4.2.1 Basic Simulation Sequence

1. Start Simulation Tool
Open Calculation Tool.m file and press the Run button
2. Open Input Parameters
Can either be done by manually open the Input_Parameters.xlsm file it in the tools
folder or by clicking the Open Input Parameters button
3. Adjust Input Parameters (Input_Parameters.xlsm) / Check if Input Parameters are
correct
For a detailed explanation of all relevant cells and buttons of the
Input_Parameters.xlsm file parameters see chapter 3.2
4. Save Input_Parameter.xlsm and switch back to the Graphical User Interface
5. Open Irradiation Data (Irradiation Data.xls)
Can either be done by manually open the Irradiation Data.xls file it in the tools folder or
by clicking the Open Input Parameters button
6. Adjust the Irradiation Data / Check if Irradiation Data is correct
7. Save Irradiation Data.xls and switch back to the Graphical User Interface
8. Execute Simulation (Calculate and show results)
9. Consider Results Tables
10. Open the Result files (Open Solar Potential Results & Open Monte Carlo Results)

4.2.2 Modeling a Power Plant

1. Start Simulation Tool
Open Calculation Tool.m file and press the Run button.
2. Open Input Parameters
Can either be done by manually open the Input_Parameters.xlsm file it in the tools
folder or by clicking the Open Input Parameters button.
3. Enter all Basic Data Values
Values have to be entered into all cells with green background (For detailed information
for each cell see Chapter 3.2.3). It is recommended to fill the sheet from top to bottom.
4. Determine the consideration of the Mirror Efficiencies
Choose if the mirror efficiencies and cosine losses should either be calculated
automatically for a given coordinate.
o In that case: Enter a coordinate, execute the Refresh Solar Field Efficiency
button and check if the suggested GMT time zone is correct.
Or if the Efficiencies should be entered manually.
o In that case: Check the Manual Mirror Efficiencies and the Manual Cosine
Losses sheets.
5. Enter all Data for Operation Values
Values have to be entered into all cells with yellow, green and violet background (For
detailed information for each cell see Chapter 3.2.4). It is recommended to fill the sheet
section by section from top to bottom.
6. Consider the Suggested Solar Multiple
It should be checked if the suggested solar multiple should be accepted.
7. Define Reference Cases
If all parameters have been set successfully the reference cases for own consumptions,
load cases, efficiencies and losses should be set by executing the all red change
standard buttons.
This step can be skipped if the program will be saved to the archive. In that case the
Excel file will automatically refresh all reference cases.
8. Save Project
Click the Save Project button and choose a storage location.

4.2.3 Variation of power plant parameters.

Whenever a change was made in a green or yellow cell, the residual power plant parameters
should be checked for a change in the suggestions.
For each suggestion it should be checked if accepting it makes sense.
There is a recommended order for checking the suggestions:
0. (Only if changes have been made to the mirror efficiencies):
Check the Overall Optical Efficiency (in [C-D 92]). As a reference [C-D 93] can be used
1. Solar multiple [CD 91]
Suggestion in [E-F 91]; Can be accepted with button in [E-F 92-93]
2. Own Consumption Steam Cycle [E-F 18-22]
Suggestions in [F 18-22]; Can be accepted with button in [D 17-22]
3. Maximum Load Case Primary Cycle [H-I 29] & Minimum Load Case Primary Cycle
[H-I 37]
Suggestions in [J-K 29] & [J-K 37]; Can be accepted with button in [J-K 30-31]
4. Own Consumption Steam Cycle [E 27-37]
Suggestions in [E 27-37]; Can be accepted with button in [G 27-37]
5. Maximum Load Case Storage Cycle [H-I 42]
Suggestion in [J-K 42]; Can be accepted with button in [G 41-42]
6. Own Consumption Storage Cycle [C-E 42]
Suggestions in [F 42]; Can be accepted with button in [C-E 43]
7. Receiver Losses [A-C 51-64]
Can be changed with button in [D 51-64]
8. Own Consumption Auxiliary [E-F 80-85]
Suggestions in [G 80-85]; Can be accepted with button in [H 80-85]
9. Own Consumption Solar Field [H 89-90] & Constant Own Consumptions Solar
Field [K 88-91]
Suggestions in [I 89-90] & [L 88-91]; Can be accepted with button in [H-K 94]