@inproceedings{f5cf4d04f4104f3280f338ffff103559,
title = "SolarTherm: A flexible Modelica-based simulator for CSP systems",
abstract = "Annual performance simulations provide a valuable tool for analysing the viability and overall impact of different concentrating solar power (CSP) component and system designs. However, existing tools work best with conventional systems and are difficult or impossible to adapt when novel components, configurations and operating strategies are of interest. SolarTherm is a new open source simulation tool that fulfils this need for the solar community. It includes a simulation framework and a library of flexible CSP components and control strategies that can be adapted or replaced with new designs to meet the special needs of end users. This paper provides an introduction to SolarTherm and a comparison of models for an energy-based trough system and a physical tower system to those in the well-established and widely-used simulator SAM. Differences were found in some components where the inner workings of SAM are undocumented or not well understood, while the other parts show strong agreement. These results help to validate the fundamentals of SolarTherm and demonstrate that, while at an early stage of development, it is already a useful tool for performing annual simulations.",
author = "Paul Scott and Alonso, {Alberto De La Calle} and Hinkley, {James T.} and John Pye",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2017 Author(s).; 22nd International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2016 ; Conference date: 11-10-2016 Through 14-10-2016",
year = "2017",
month = jun,
day = "27",
doi = "10.1063/1.4984560",
language = "English",
series = "AIP Conference Proceedings",
publisher = "American Institute of Physics Inc.",
booktitle = "SolarPACES 2016",
address = "United States",
}