WO2015173899A1

WO2015173899A1 - Solar thermal power generation system, and calibration system for solar thermal power generation system

Info

Publication number: WO2015173899A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/062764
Authority: WO
Inventors: 宮坂　徹; 鈴木　学; 岩井　進
Original assignee: 株式会社日立ハイテクノロジーズ
Priority date: 2014-05-14
Filing date: 2014-05-14
Publication date: 2015-11-19

Abstract

In order to more efficiently operate a solar collector system, it is necessary to constantly ensure the accuracy of a heliostat, quickly detect a heliostat exhibiting an abnormality, and implement a countermeasure. To this end, it is necessary to efficiently calibrate and correct a plurality of heliostats in a short amount of time. The prior art does not give sufficient consideration to the feature of efficiently calibrating heliostat mirrors. The present invention calibrates a heliostat by obtaining an image having a prescribed shape projected onto a reflective mirror of the heliostat.

Description

Solar power generation system and calibration system for solar power generation system

The present invention relates to a solar light collecting system in which a plurality of heliostats including mirrors that reflect sunlight are arranged to collect sunlight. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for efficiently and accurately calibrating mirror angles of a plurality of heliostats and a solar light collecting system using the method.

Solar power generation, which collects sunlight to generate steam and generates power with a steam turbine, is expected as next-generation energy. In particular, tower-type solar thermal power generation, which concentrates sunlight with a large number of heliostat mirrors on the boiler installed at the top of the tower, can generate a large amount of high-temperature steam, and is expected to be used as a future base power source. Is done.

Since a large number of heliostats are installed, it is necessary to place heliostats at a location several hundred meters away from the tower where the boiler is installed. In order to realize a higher power solar condensing system, the number of heliostats arranged around the tower will be tens of thousands in the future, and the longest distance from the tower is planned to reach 1 km or more. .

In the sunlight condensing system, high angular accuracy is required for each heliostat in order to accurately irradiate reflected light of sunlight to the boiler (target) provided at the top of the tower. For example, when the distance from the heliostat to the target is 300 m, the position of the reflected light on the target is shifted by about 1 m just by changing the angle accuracy of the mirror surface by 0.1 degree. In order to realize a higher power solar condensing system, the number of heliostats arranged around the tower will be tens of thousands in the future, and the maximum distance from the tower is planned to reach 1 km or more. Needless to say, the greater the distance between the heliostat and the tower, the higher the required angle accuracy.

The error factor that degrades the accuracy of the Heliostat is not only the dimensional error and installation error at the beginning of production, but also the time-dependent changes in the position accuracy of each part due to its own weight and wind, the inclination of the installation part, etc. Is required.

Patent Document 1 discloses an accurate and simple calibration means for the mirror angle of a heliostat using a laser light emitting unit and a light receiving sensor in the central tower. In this method, a reference laser beam is reflected by a heliostat, and an angular error of the heliostat is calculated from a light receiving position of a sensor that receives the reflected light. Furthermore, in this system, calibration can be performed at night when sunlight cannot be collected by using the laser reference line.

Patent Document 2 discloses a method for correcting the angle of a heliostat based on the difference between a plurality of light quantity sensors arranged around a target. This method is a method of calibrating the heliostat in the daytime because it uses sunlight.

JP 2012-122635 A JP2011-099629A

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described, but the following description is not intended to interpret the present invention in a limited manner.

The heliostat calibration means uses a laser light emitting part, a light receiving sensor, and a plurality of light quantity sensors to detect the angular deviation of the heliostat and can be automatically configured relatively easily. However, these heliostat calibration methods require calibration for each heliostat.

Even if the calibration time of Heliostat 1 is 30 s, if the number of Heliostats is 10,000, it takes 83 hours or more to calibrate all the Heliostats. If the calibration operation is performed at night or 8 hours in the daytime, it takes 10 days or more to calibrate all the heliostats.

In order to operate a more efficient solar condensing system, it is necessary to ensure the accuracy of the heliostat at all times, detect the heliostat generated above at an early stage, and take countermeasures. In order to realize this, it is necessary to calibrate and correct a plurality of heliostats more efficiently in a shorter time.

As described above, the conventional technology does not sufficiently consider the point of efficiently calibrating the heliostat mirror.

An object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of calibrating a heliostat efficiently and at high speed.

One feature of the present invention is that the heliostat is calibrated by obtaining an image having a predetermined shape projected on the reflection mirror of the heliostat.

According to the present invention, the heliostat can be calibrated more efficiently than before.

It is a figure explaining the whole sunlight condensing system of Examples 1-4, and the whole structure of a solar thermal power generation system using the same. The figure explaining the relationship between the distance from a heliostat to a target, the mirror surface inclination error of a heliostat, and the deviation | shift amount of the reflected light on a target. It is a figure explaining the calibration flow of a heliostat 100. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating Example 5; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating Example 6; It is a figure explaining the linear light source of Example 7. FIG. It is a figure explaining the linear light source of Example 8. FIG. It is a figure explaining the linear light source of Example 9. FIG. It is a figure explaining the linear light source of Example 10. FIG. It is a figure explaining the linear light source of Example 11. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the contents can be partially deleted, mutually replaced, and combined.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a solar thermal power generation system including a solar light collecting system and a calibration system according to the present embodiment.

The solar thermal power generation system of the present embodiment reflects and concentrates sunlight on the tower 2 and the target 2 for holding the target 2 and the target 2 for concentrating sunlight at a position higher than a predetermined position. A number of heliostat units 6. Further, the solar thermal power generation system includes a boiler that uses the collected light to boil water to generate steam, a turbine that generates electricity according to the above, and a processing unit that performs various controls, calculations, and determinations described below.

The heliostat unit 6 includes a plurality of heliostats 100. The heliostat 100 is a reflection mirror 101 for condensing sunlight on the target 2, and a plurality of rotational drives that change the angle of the reflection mirror to an arbitrary direction (for example, a horizontal angle (turning angle) and a vertical angle (elevation angle)). System 102 is included. The rotation drive system 102 is a device that can tilt the reflection mirror 101 in an arbitrary direction.

The heliostat 100 can irradiate the target 2 with sunlight by controlling the angle of the mirror surface 101 by the rotational drive system 102 according to the movement of the sun.

The heliostat 100 focuses sunlight on the target 2 on the tower 1 by reflecting sunlight. The target 2 is heated by the collected sunlight. By using a boiler or the like as the target 2, high-temperature steam can be created, and power can be generated by using this to rotate a turbine or the like.

The power generation system that uses the heat collected from sunlight is called solar thermal power generation, and has attracted attention as a renewable energy system that can generate large volumes of electricity. In addition, since heat energy is relatively easy to store, it is possible to perform nighttime power generation using the heat collected during the day, and it is also expected as a future base power source. In addition to power generation, a number of utilization methods such as utilization for hydrogen generation have been proposed and studied as a utilization method of thermal energy collected in the target 2.

In this solar light collecting system and a solar thermal power generation system using the solar light collecting system, in order to collect more heat energy on the target 2, it is necessary to collect reflected light on the target 2 by more heliostats 100. Become. An arbitrary number of heliostats 100 can be provided. For example, the number of heliostats can be as many as several thousand to 10,000 or as many as several tens of thousands.

When the number of heliostats 100 increases, the installation area of the heliostat 100 increases, and the distance from the tower 1 where the target 2 is installed to the heliostat 100 may be increased. For example, in a solar light collecting system such as a current solar thermal power generation plant, the radius is several hundred meters or more as a distance from the tower 1 on which the target 2 is installed. Considering a system using tens of thousands of heliostats 100, the distance from the tower 1 where the target 2 is installed reaches a radius of 1 km or more.

FIG. 2 is a result of calculating the relationship between the distance from the heliostat 100 to the target 2, the mirror surface tilting system of the heliostat 100, and the amount of reflected light deviation on the target 2. For example, when the distance from the heliostat 100 to the target 2 is 300 m, the position of the reflected light on the target 2 is shifted by about 1 m only when the angle accuracy of the reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror 101 is shifted by 0.1 degree. Become.

Thus, when tens of thousands of heliostats 100 are arranged in order to realize a high-output solar light collecting system, the longest distance from the target 2 reaches 1 km or more. The required angle accuracy increases as the distance between the heliostat 100 and the tower 1 increases.

However, there are various disturbance factors that degrade the accuracy of the heliostat 100 installed outdoors. As factors that degrade the accuracy of the heliostat 100, for example, in addition to dimensional errors and installation errors at the time of manufacture, changes in position accuracy with time due to self-weight, wind, earthquakes, and the like, inclination of the installation parts, and the like can be considered. Further, deterioration with time of each part due to outdoor installation is also an error factor.

As a method of ensuring accuracy, adoption of this embodiment is not excluded, but it is also conceivable to design and install a very high-precision and robust heliostat 100. However, in this case, the cost of the heliostat 100 is very high. In the solar light collecting system, nearly half of the cost is occupied by the heliostat 100, and the cost impact on the entire solar light collecting system is extremely large. In particular, a solar light collecting system used for power generation, such as solar thermal power generation, has a large impact on power generation costs. For this reason, it is the actual situation that it is not very realistic to manufacture a highly accurate and robust heliostat 100 that completely guarantees the accuracy within the operational years.

Considering the cost of the entire solar condensing system, it is strongly required to reduce the cost of the heliostat 100 as much as possible, and a design that suppresses the accuracy and strength within a range that does not cause operational problems is required. This is a design that includes the risk of causing the above-mentioned disturbance and accuracy degradation or failure due to aging. For this reason, the heliostat 100 in the solar light collecting system is extremely important for a system that constantly monitors and corrects accuracy degradation or failure due to disturbance.

Next, calibration of the heliostat unit 6 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

In FIG. 1, the solar thermal power generation system of the present embodiment has an image photographing means 3. Although the attachment position of the image photographing means 3 can be arbitrarily determined, in this embodiment, the image photographing means 3 is disposed between the target 2 of the tower 1 and a linear light source 5 described later. The image capturing means 3 can capture at least one, more specifically, a plurality of heliostats 100.

A predetermined shape 103 is formed on the tower 1. The shape 103 can be arbitrarily formed, but in the present embodiment, the shape 103 is represented by the linear light source 5. The linear light source 5 is formed by arranging light sources so as to be an array of substantially one row (first array). Shape 103 further includes a plurality of light sources arranged to intersect (more specifically, orthogonal) with the array to form a second array. The intersection of the first array and the second array can be expressed as a reference position 4 of the shape 103.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an image photographed by the image photographing means 3. The image obtained by the image photographing means 3 includes the reflection surfaces of the plurality of heliostats 100.

The processing unit calibrates 100 units of heliostats shown in the image. For the calibration, it is necessary to individually identify which heliostat 100 body of the heliostat 100 included in the image. For this purpose, it is desirable to accurately grasp the photographing range of the image photographing means 3.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a reference pole 7 which is an example of a predetermined reference is disposed between the plurality of heliostats 100. Any number of reference poles 7 can be installed at any position. In this embodiment, the image is taken so that the reference pole 7 is included in the image, so that the processing unit manages the position of the heliostat 100 in the image using a predetermined coordinate system (for example, an orthogonal coordinate system expressed by the xy axis). I was able to do it. More specifically, the processing unit recognizes the position of the template from the image using template matching using a predetermined template, so that each heliostat is expressed by the xy axis as shown in FIG. It becomes possible to recognize in the orthogonal coordinate system. The template matching using a predetermined template can also be applied to the recognition of the heliostat itself. For example, the reference pole 7 can be expressed as a second reference for obtaining the position of the heliostat. Furthermore, it can be expressed that the image obtained by the image photographing means 3 includes the second reference for identifying the position of the heliostat.

In this embodiment, a blinking light that blinks at a predetermined interval is disposed at the tip of the reference pole 7. By blinking the light at the tip of the reference pole 7 located near the center of the area to be calibrated, it is possible to accurately and accurately grasp the position of the heliostat 100 group photographed by the image photographing means 3 Yes.

Next, the calibration process will be described. First, as a calibration start preparation operation, the processing unit issues an instruction to the rotation drive system 102 to arrange a plurality of heliostats 100 to be calibrated reflected in the image photographing means 3 substantially perpendicular to the ground. The linear light source 5 is rotated and inclined at a predetermined first speed to one side (for example, the left side or the east side) (step 301). Fig. 3-a) shows the initial state of calibration start. At this time, the heliostat 100 group is inclined to the east side. FIG. 3A schematically shows an image displayed on the image capturing means 3 that captures the situation.

Next, the processing unit issues an instruction to the rotational drive system 102 so that the heliostat 6 group is moved toward the other side (for example, the right side or the west side) of the linear light source 5 so as to cross the linear light source 5. Slowly rotate at a second speed slower than the speed of step 301 (step 302).

Then, the processing unit issues an instruction to the rotation drive system 102, and the heliostat 100 in which the reflected light of the linear light source 5 is confirmed among the heliostats 100 being calibrated that are displayed in the image obtained by the image photographing means 3. Are sequentially stopped (step 303). FIG. 3B schematically shows an image displayed on the image photographing means 3 at this time. If the control angle of the heliostat 100 is not deviated, the reflected light of the linear light source 5 is confirmed on the image at an angle position planned for each heliostat 100.

However, when the control angle of the heliostat 100 is deviated, the reflected light of the linear light source 5 is confirmed on the image at a time earlier or later than the predicted angular position. This makes it possible to determine which heliostat 100 has a deviation in control angle during calibration (step 304). An arrow 8 in the figure indicates a heliostat 100 in which the reflected light of the linear light source 5 has not been confirmed.

That is, the processing unit obtains a position of a predetermined shape formed on a predetermined heliostat 100 in an image obtained at a predetermined time as an image, and compares the position of the predetermined position with a predetermined value, thereby obtaining a helio That is, the angular deviation in the first direction of the stat 100 can be obtained. Since the image photographing unit 3 can perform continuous photographing, the processing unit can also make this determination with respect to a plurality of images obtained during successive times. In this operation, the first image from the first imaging unit includes at least a part of the first predetermined shape, and the processing unit determines the angle of the mirror in the first direction from the first image. It can be expressed that a deviation is obtained.

FIG. 3-c) schematically shows a state after the heliostat 100 group is slowly rotated 10 toward the other side of the linear light source 5 (for example, the right side or the west side). The heliostat 100 indicated by an arrow 11 in the figure is the heliostat 100 in which the reflected light of the linear light source 5 cannot be confirmed on the image even when a control signal for rotating at a predetermined angle is given. It can be estimated that this heliostat 100 has a malfunction in the driving mechanism itself in the horizontal direction (for example, the left-right direction or the east-west direction).

Next, the processing unit issues an instruction to the rotation drive system 102 to cause the heliostat 100 that performs calibration to perform line correction while maintaining the state in which the reflected light of the linear light source 5 is imaged on the image photographing means 3. The linear light source 5 is driven 12 so as to trace, and control is performed to drive the reference position 4 on the linear light source 5 to a position where it is captured in the image (step 305). FIG. 3-d) schematically shows an image at this time. If the control angle of the heliostat 100 does not deviate, the reflected light of the + character pattern that becomes the reference position 4 on the linear light source 5 is projected on the image photographing means 3 at the angle position planned for each heliostat 100. It is confirmed. However, if the control angle of the heliostat 100 is deviated, the + character pattern that becomes the reference position 4 on the linear light source 5a on the image photographing means 3 at a time earlier or later than the predicted angular position. The reflected light will be confirmed.

That is, the processing unit obtains a reference position formed on a predetermined heliostat 100 in an image obtained at a predetermined time, and determines whether or not the reference position is obtained at a predetermined time. This means that an angular deviation in the second direction intersecting the first direction can be obtained. Since the image photographing unit 3 can perform continuous photographing, the processing unit can also make this determination with respect to a plurality of images obtained in successive times. In this operation, the predetermined shape 103 (which can be expressed as the first predetermined shape) includes the reference position 4 (which can be expressed as the first reference), the first image includes the first reference, and the processing unit has the first It can be expressed that the angular deviation in the direction intersecting the first direction is obtained from the reference of the above.

This makes it possible to know which heliostat 100 control angle has shifted during calibration. An arrow 13 in the figure indicates the heliostat 100 in which the reflected light of the + -shaped pattern that is the reference position on the linear light source 5 has not been confirmed.

Fig. 3-e) schematically shows a state after the heliostat 100 group is slowly rotated 14 upward. The heliostat 100 indicated by the arrow in the figure can confirm the + character pattern of the reference position 4 on the linear light source 5a on the image photographing means 3 even if a control signal for rotating upward at a predetermined angle is given in advance. There are 100 heliostats that did not exist. It can be inferred that the heliostat 100 has a malfunction in the drive mechanism itself in the elevation direction (upward direction).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the heliostat 100 in which the control angle is deviated from a large number of heliostats 100 and the heliostat 100 that does not rotate due to a malfunction in the drive mechanism are efficiently detected. It becomes possible. In addition, with respect to the plurality of heliostats 100 in which the angular deviation is detected, it is also possible to collectively perform the angle correction process so as to cancel the angular deviation. As a result, it is possible to provide a sunlight condensing system that can efficiently grasp and calibrate the situation of a large number of heliostats 6.

Next, Example 2 will be described. In the present embodiment, parts different from the other embodiments will be described. In this embodiment, consideration is given to stabilization of discrimination between a linear light source serving as a reference and disturbance light.

The first embodiment calibrates the heliostat 100 when the image photographing means 3 detects the light of the linear light source 5 reflected by the heliostat 100. It is desirable that the image photographing unit 3 can reliably detect the linear light source 5 reflected by the heliostat 100. For this reason, although it depends on the installation location of the solar light collecting system and the surrounding environment, it is more stable if the light other than the linear light source 5 that causes disturbance and the light of the linear light source 5 can be reliably separated. It may be desirable for operation. The disturbance light assumed here is, for example, moonlight, security lighting, and lights of other facilities in the vicinity.

In this embodiment, a method for reliably separating ambient light and light from the linear light source 5 is provided. In the present embodiment, light having a predetermined wavelength is adopted as the wavelength of light of the linear light source 5 as a reference. By using light of a color or wavelength different from that of the disturbance light at the predetermined wavelength, the disturbance light and the light from the linear light source 5 can be reliably separated from the image photographed by the image photographing means 3 relatively easily. For example, it can be expressed that the wavelength of the linear light source 5 is different from the wavelength of disturbance light, more specifically, the wavelength of the linear light source 5 is longer or shorter than the wavelength of disturbance light. This approach focusing on the wavelength of the linear light source 5 can be expressed as a first approach.

In this case, on the image photographing means 3 side, an optical filter that passes the predetermined wavelength toward the photoelectric conversion element and blocks the other wavelengths, and a filter that extracts a component corresponding to the predetermined wavelength after imaging. It is desirable to employ at least one of the processes. A method of providing a filter process for detecting a specific wavelength in the image processing is also an effective means for reliably separating the disturbance light and the light from the linear light source 5a. If the light from the linear light source 5a is combined light having a plurality of predetermined wavelengths and is selectively separated into the combined light of the wavelengths on the image photographing means 3 side, the reference linear shape is further ensured. Needless to say, the light from the light source 5a can be identified. This approach focusing on the image photographing means 3 side can be expressed as a second approach.

Further, by providing a polarizing filter on the image photographing means 3 side in accordance with the reflection direction in which the reflection mirror of the heliostat 100 reflects the linear light source 5, it is possible to relatively easily cause disturbance light such as moonlight due to ground reflection. In some cases, it is relatively simple and preferable to suppress the influence. This approach focusing on polarization can be expressed as a third approach.

As another method for reliably separating the disturbance light and the light from the linear light source 5, the linear light source 5 is blinked in a predetermined light emission pattern or cycle, and the light source having the blinking pattern on the image photographing means 3 side. Is also effective as a linear light source 5 serving as a reference. For example, if the blinking timing is known, the image photographing means 3 may be configured to obtain an image in accordance with the timing.

Thus, in the calibration method of the present embodiment, focusing on the wavelength of light of the linear light source 5 as a reference, the blinking pattern, the polarization plane, and the like, and identifying it on the image photographing means 3 side, it is more stable. Calibration operation can be enabled. This makes it possible to stably perform the calibration operation of the heliostat 100 even in an environment where there is a lot of light that becomes a disturbance of detection.

Next, Example 3 will be described. In the following description, parts different from the other embodiments will be described. In the present embodiment, the predetermined shape 103 described in the first embodiment is constituted by components other than the reference light source 5.

Example 1 uses a linear light source 5. In a solar light collecting system used for power generation or the like, it may be desirable not to consume any electric power.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the linear mer 5b is adopted as the predetermined shape 103 shown in FIG.

In order to increase the sunlight collection efficiency, it is desirable to calibrate the heliostat 100 at night when the sun does not come out.

The linear mark 5b may include a fluorescent material that shines using weak ambient light instead of the linear light source 5a. Further, the linear mark 5b may include a scattering material that scatters ambient light. Further, the linear mark 5b may include a daylight material that stores daytime light. These approaches can form the linear mark 5b at a relatively low cost.

The linear mark 5b formed in this way can withstand practical use, but may be more susceptible to the influence of the surrounding environment than the linear light source 5a and may be unstable. Next, a method for improving detection stability when the linear mark 5b is used will be described.

In this embodiment, an illumination unit that supplies light to the linear mark 5b is provided. The illumination unit supplies light to the linear mark 5b from at least one direction. The illumination unit may scan the linear mark 5b with laser light. The scanning method may be raster scanning, but any scanning method can be adopted. According to this approach, a certain linear mark 5b can be raised. Note that the approach of providing an illumination unit is not necessarily adopted when a linear mark is used.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to calibrate the heliostat 100 with less power than in the first embodiment.

Next, Example 4 will be described. Hereinafter, parts different from the other embodiments will be described. In order to use the linear light source 5a and the linear mark 5b described above for calibration of many heliostats, it is desirable to arrange them at a higher position vertically. Also, the image photographing means 3 is desirably installed at a higher position in order to photograph a wide range of heliostats. For this reason, in the first embodiment, the predetermined shape 103 and the image photographing means 3 as the reference for calibration are installed on the wall surface of the tower 1.

However, even when the predetermined shape 103 and the image photographing means 3 are installed at a high position, there may be an upper limit on the number of heliostats 100 that the image photographing means 3 can photograph at one time. Depending on the performance (for example, resolution) of the image capturing means 3, the number of heliostats that can be sufficiently identified may be limited. For this reason, when calibrating a distant heliostat 100, it is necessary to enlarge the captured image.

Therefore, the image photographing means 3 of this embodiment has a zoom lens. Regardless of the distance of the heliostat 100 group to be calibrated from the image photographing means 3, the processing unit controls the zoom lens, so that the image photographing means 3 photographs at one time, that is, the image photographing means 3 of the heliostat 100 to be calibrated. It is possible to make the inside size almost constant.

In addition, since the number of heliostats 100 that can be calibrated at the same time is limited, it is necessary to sequentially perform calibration operations while switching the imaging area of the image capturing means 3, that is, the location of the heliostat group to be calibrated. In some cases.

For this reason, in the solar thermal power generation system of the present embodiment, a means capable of changing the photographing direction of the image photographing means 3 may be provided. In the solar light collecting system of the present invention, the photographing direction of the image photographing means 3 is changed, the heliostat unit 6 is divided into a plurality of areas, and a plurality of areas in the divided heliostat unit 6 are sequentially calibrated. Thus, the heliostat 6 installed in a wide range may be calibrated. According to this embodiment, even when the heliostat 100 is installed in a wide range, it is possible to perform calibration efficiently.

Next, Example 5 will be described. There is a limit to the range that can be calibrated by the approach of the fourth embodiment. For example, when the predetermined shape 103 and the image capturing means 3 are on the true south surface of the tower 1, the heliostat 100 arranged at a position shifted in the east-west direction from the south side of the tower 1 does not significantly tilt the mirror surface. The image of the shape 103 cannot be reflected toward the image photographing unit 3. If the mirror surface tilt angle during calibration (when the reference position is detected) is large, the calibration accuracy is degraded.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of combinations of the predetermined shape 103 and the image photographing means 3 are used in accordance with the arrangement state of the heliostat 100.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the heliostat unit 6 is arranged so as to surround the tower 1 over the omnidirectional region of the tower 1.

In this embodiment, the heliostats 100 are arranged in all directions of the tower 1 in order to arrange more heliostats 100 closer to one tower 1.
In the solar thermal power generation system of FIG. 4, a combination of the predetermined shape 103 and the image photographing means 3 is arranged on the four azimuth planes of the tower.

More specifically, in FIG. 4, the image photographing means 3 is represented by image photographing means 3N, 3E, 3S, 3W. The image capturing means 3N, 3E, 3S, and 3W obtain images of the

regions

16N, 16E, 16S, and 16W in the range of 45 degrees to the left and right. Calibration is also performed for each of the

areas

16N, 16E, 16S, and 16W. Calibration may occur at substantially the same time or may occur at different times.

According to the present embodiment, the image photographing means 3N, 3E, 3S, and 3W can obtain an image of the heliostat 100 in a range that appropriately reflects the predetermined shape 103, so that the calibration accuracy due to the installation location of the heliostat 100 is obtained. Can be made smaller.

Next, Example 6 will be described. In the following description, parts different from the other embodiments will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, in addition to the image photographing means 3N, 3E, 3S, 3W arranged in the tower 1 of the fifth embodiment, the image photographing means 3NE, 3SE arranged in a plurality of towers outside the heliostat unit 6. 3SW and 3NW are arranged. The number of the predetermined shapes 103 is also arranged. In the present embodiment, there are eight combinations of the image photographing means 3 and the predetermined shape 103.

Further, in this embodiment, the heliostat 6 is divided into eight

areas

16N, 16E, 16S, 16W, 16NE, 16ES, 16SW, and 16NW.

In this embodiment, an image is acquired and calibrated by using eight combinations for eight regions.

According to this embodiment, more accurate and more stable calibration is possible. Furthermore, the calibration time can be shortened.

In the present embodiment, the number of the image photographing means 3 and the number of the predetermined shapes 103 are in a one-to-one relationship, but one predetermined shape 103 reflected by a certain heliostat 100 is used as the image photographing means 3N. You may make it image by at least 2 of 3E, 3S, 3W, 3NE, 3SE, 3SW, and 3NW. That is, a plurality of imaging units may be used for one predetermined shape 103. By doing so, it is possible to perform simultaneous calibration by a plurality of image photographing means 3 within the same region. As described above, the calibration time of all the heliostats 6 of the solar light collecting system can be shortened also by the method of installing a plurality of image photographing means 3 in the same region.

Furthermore, one heliostat 100 may be calibrated using a plurality of predetermined shapes 103 and a plurality of image photographing means 3. In this case, since the calibration operation is performed at different mirror angles of the heliostat 100, the calibration accuracy can be improved.

In the fifth and sixth embodiments, the second imaging unit disposed at a position different from the image capturing unit 3 (which can be expressed as the first imaging unit), the predetermined shape 103 disclosed in the first embodiment, and Can be expressed as having a second predetermined shape arranged at different positions.

Next, Example 7 will be described. The seventh embodiment will explain a variation of the predetermined shape 103. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the details of the predetermined shape 103.

The predetermined shape 103 includes the linear light source 5. The linear light source 5 includes a cross-shaped light emitter 17. The center of the light emitter 17 can be expressed as a reference position 4. Further, the linear light source 5 includes a linear light emitter 18 connected to the light emitter 17. The linear light source 5 is substantially symmetric about the first axis 601, but is substantially asymmetric about the second axis 602 that intersects (more specifically, substantially orthogonal) the first axis. It can be expressed that there is.

The light emitter 18 can be divided into a plurality of regions 19n, 19m, and 19f, and at least one of a light emission wavelength, a flashing pattern, a flashing timing, and dimensions (length, thickness, and thickness) for each of the plurality of regions. ) Can be arbitrarily set.

In this case, it is possible to speed up the calibration process of the heliostat 100 described with reference to FIG. 3 by making it possible to identify the difference between these areas when the heliostat 100 is photographed by the image photographing means 3. In the calibration process of the heliostat 100 described with reference to FIG. 3, the distance to the reference position 4 for each heliostat 100 is long or short when a part of the linear light source 5 is first detected (FIG. 3 c and FIG. 3 d). Can be identified. That is, from the state of the linear light source 5 reflected on the heliostat 100 shown in the image obtained by the image photographing means 3 (difference in emission color, wavelength pattern, and blinking pattern) to the reference position 4 for each heliostat 100. Can be identified whether the distance is long (the angle is large) or short (the angle is small).

In this case, the heliostat 100 that is far from the reference position 4 (large angle) needs to be moved quickly, but the heliostat 100 that is close to the reference position 4 (small angle) is moved slowly to the reference position (reference position 4). Makes it easier to find exactly. As described above, in the calibration process of FIG. 3, the distance to the reference position is roughly known at the stage where a part of the linear light source 5 is first detected (FIG. 3c and FIG. 3d), thereby improving the efficiency of the calibration operation. It becomes possible to do.

Next, Example 8 will be described. In the present embodiment, other variations of the linear light source 5 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining this embodiment.

The light-emitting light source 5 of this embodiment has a light emitter 20n and a light emitter 20f on the upper side of the reference position 4, and has a light emitter 21n and a light emitter 22f on the lower side. The linear light source 5 is substantially symmetric about both the first axis 601 and the second axis 602. In this embodiment, at least one of the emission wavelength, the blinking pattern, the blinking timing, and the dimensions (at least one of length, thickness, and thickness) between the

light emitters

20n, 20f, 21n, and 22f is arbitrarily set. More specifically, it is set differently. In this way, the processing unit can identify whether the reference position 4 is above or below the reference position 4.

If the light emitter above or below the reference position 4 can be identified, the processing unit can first identify a part of the linear light source 5 in the calibration process of FIG. 3 (FIGS. 3c and 3d). , Whether the upper side or the lower side of the reference position 4 is reflected on the heliostat 100 can be identified. If the upper side or the lower side of the reference position 4 is known, it is possible to know the direction (upper side or lower side) in which the heliostat 100 is operated in order to find the reference position 4 in the next operation.

In this manner, the heliostat 100 can be moved toward the reference position 4 in the first operation (arrow 9 in FIG. 3) in the calibration process of FIG. As a result, most heliostats 100 whose accuracy is ensured can detect the reference position 4.

Also, because of the error in the elevation angle direction, it is possible to find the light emitter above or below the reference position 4 even for the heliostat 100 that could not find the reference position 4.

Further, since the position of the found illuminant can be identified whether it is above or below the reference position, the heliostat 100 having an error also performs the following operation (corresponding to the arrow 12 in FIG. 3). The direction in which the reference position 4 is found can be known in the operation).

Thus, by using the linear light source 5 provided with the reference position 4 near the center as shown in FIG. 7, the heliostat 100 can be controlled so as to search for the reference position 4 from the first operation. For this reason, if the linear light source 5 as shown in FIG. 7 is used, a more efficient calibration operation of the heliostat 100 can be provided.

In this embodiment, in addition to the upper side or the lower side of the reference position 4, the

areas

20 n and 21 n near the reference position 4 among the four areas, and the areas 20 and 22 f farther from the reference position 4 than those four areas. Can be identified. By doing so, the heliostat 100 that cannot find the reference position 4 as in the seventh embodiment can efficiently perform the operation of finding the reference position 4.

Next, Example 9 will be described. In the present embodiment, other variations of the linear light source 5 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining this embodiment.

The linear light source 5 reference position 4 of this embodiment is arranged near the upper end of the linear light source 5. Unlike the other linear light sources 5, the linear light source 5 is configured such that the distance from the reference position 4 can be identified not for each region but for each distance (for example, each point-like light emission point 23). That is, at least one of the plurality of light emitting points 23 arranged can be arbitrarily set with respect to each other, the light emission wavelength, the blinking pattern, the blinking timing, and the dimension (at least one of length, thickness, and thickness). Is different.

According to the present embodiment, the distance to the reference position 4 can be obtained more accurately at the stage where a part of the linear light source 5 is first detected (FIGS. 3c and 3d). Therefore, calibration can be performed more efficiently.

Next, Example 10 will be described. In the present embodiment, other variations of the linear light source 5 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the present embodiment.

In the linear light source 5 of this embodiment, the reference position 4 is arranged near the center of the linear light source 5. As in the eighth embodiment, it is calibrated so that it can be identified whether it is above or below the reference position 4 and the distance from the reference position 4 can be identified as in the ninth embodiment.

In such a linear light source 5, the heliostat 100 can be operated so as to search for the reference position 4 from the first operation, and the heliostat 100 that has not found the reference position 4 can also be efficiently referenced in the next operation. Position 4 can be found.

Next, Example 11 will be described. In the present embodiment, other variations of the linear light source 5 will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the specific reference position 4 described in the other embodiments is not provided, and the linear light source 5 is configured such that all the light emitting points 23 can be identified by the processing unit. As a method for identifying each point, any of the methods described in the other embodiments can be arbitrarily adopted. However, a template and a threshold value corresponding to each of the light emission points 23 are stored in the processing unit, and the obtained image is obtained. A method of comparing the template and the threshold value may be adopted.

Thus, if the positions of all the light emitting points 23 of the linear light source 5 can be identified, all the light emitting points 23 have the function of the reference position 4. That is, in the calibration process of FIG. 3, at the stage where a part of the linear light source 5 is first detected, the position of the light emission point 23 (to understand, the calibration of the heliostat 100 is completed. It is desirable that the height (position) of the light emitting point 23 on the linear light source 5 can be identified with sufficient resolution.

Note that the light emission points 23 in the examples of FIGS. 8 to 10 are represented by dots in order to make the explanation easy to understand. If the distance and direction from the reference position 4 can be identified, it is not always necessary to arrange the dotted light emitting points 23.

Also, any color and shape can be adopted for the linear mark 5b.

Hereinafter, further aspects of the above-described embodiment will be specifically described. In the above-described embodiment, in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to calibrate all the heliostats 100 every night even in a large-scale solar light collecting system having tens of thousands of heliostats 100.

Furthermore, when the daytime calibration operation is also performed, the heliostat 100 can be calibrated more frequently.

In daytime calibration, the detection of the linear mark 5b is stabilized and the number of identification species can be increased.

If the above-described embodiments can be used to calibrate all the heliostats 100 of the solar light collecting system at high frequency, many operational advantages can be expected. If the calibration frequency is high, a malfunction of the turning angle or the elevation angle mechanism can be detected early. In addition, by accumulating calibration information, it is possible to predict a heliostat 100 that may break down in the future.

In the calibration operation of the embodiment described above, it is possible to know which heliostat 100 has failed and which heliostat 100 has deviated from the control angle. In addition, it is possible to know how much the control angle has deviated.

In the above-described embodiment, if data at the time of calibration of the heliostat 100 is accumulated in the processing unit, the frequency of deviation from the control angle of the specific heliostat 100 can be analyzed. Thereby, the heliostat 100 with a possibility of failure can be estimated. Furthermore, it is also possible to estimate the timing until failure from the change in the frequency of calibration.

Also, from the number of heliostats 100 that require calibration, the number of heliostats 100 that are effectively collecting sunlight during the actual light collection operation can be estimated. If these pieces of information are statistically processed, a change in the light collection efficiency due to the repair of the heliostat 100 can be predicted. Therefore, the information is useful in formulating a maintenance plan during the operation of the heliostat 100. In particular, when using for solar thermal power generation, it is important to formulate a maintenance plan by comparing the cost of power generation with the maintenance cost.

In the calibration operation of FIG. 3, the movement of the heliostat 100 in the east-west direction (corresponding to the movement of the arrow 9 and arrow 10 in FIG. 3) and the vertical movement (corresponding to the movement of the arrow 12 and arrow 14 in FIG. 3) are as follows: This is not a short special operation of the turning mechanism and the elevation angle mechanism in the heliostat 100. In the calibration operation of the present invention described with reference to FIG. 3, the east-west direction and the vertical rotation direction of the heliostat 100 for projecting the linear light source 5 on the image photographing means 3 are affected by the installation position of the heliostat 100. . Therefore, the east-west movement and the vertical movement of the heliostat 100 in the calibration operation described with reference to FIG. 3 are combined operations of the turning drive mechanism and the elevation drive mechanism of each heliostat 100. It is relatively easy to calculate the angle error of the individual swing drive mechanism and the elevation drive mechanism from the operation information of the swing drive mechanism and the elevation drive mechanism in each heliostat 100 by using the arrangement information of the heliostat 100 and the like. Is possible.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, a large number of heliostats 100 can be calibrated substantially simultaneously, and a large number of heliostats 100 can be calibrated efficiently.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention can be widely applied to systems using light.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tower 2 ... Target 3 ... Image pick-up means 4 ... Reference position 5 ... Linear light source 6 ... Heliostat unit 7 ... Reference pole 8 ... Linear light source Heliostat 9 whose reflected light is unconfirmed 9 ... (East) west rotation operation during calibration of heliostats 10 ... (East) west rotation operation 11 of a heliostat whose linear light source has not been confirmed 11・・・ (East) Rotating operation in the west direction, no reference light was found 12 Heliostat 12 Rotating operation in the upper (down) direction of the heliostat group 13 Linear light source ( Mark) Heliostat 14 whose reference position is unconfirmed ... Rotation operation in the upper (down) direction of a heliostat whose reference position is unconfirmed 15 ... The reference position is found by the rotation operation in the upward (down) direction Heliostat 16 that did not exist ... Heliostat that performs calibration Region 17 ... light emitter 18 ... light emitter 19 ... area 20 ... light emitter 21 ... light emitter 23 ... light emitting point of the group

Claims

A first predetermined shape for outputting light;
A first imaging unit for obtaining an image of a mirror of the heliostat;
A processing unit,
The first image from the first imaging unit includes at least a part of the first predetermined shape,
The said processing part is a solar thermal power generation system which obtains the angle shift | offset | difference in the 1st direction of the said mirror from a said 1st image.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 1,
The first predetermined shape includes a first reference;
The first image includes the first reference;
The solar thermal power generation system, wherein the processing unit obtains an angular deviation in a direction intersecting the first direction from the first reference.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 2,
The solar power generation system, wherein the image includes a second reference for identifying the position of the heliostat.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 3,
The first imaging unit is a solar thermal power generation system including a filter that allows light from the predetermined shape to pass therethrough and blocks disturbance light.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 4,
The solar power generation system, wherein the processing unit extracts a component corresponding to light from the first predetermined shape from the first image.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 5,
The solar thermal power generation system which has a 2nd imaging part arrange | positioned in the position different from a said 1st imaging part.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 6,
A solar thermal power generation system having a second predetermined shape arranged at a position different from the first predetermined shape.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 7,
At least one of the first predetermined shape and the second predetermined shape is:
A solar thermal power generation system in which at least one of the emission wavelength of light to be output and the blinking timing differs according to the position.
The solar thermal power generation system according to claim 8,
At least one of the first predetermined shape and the second predetermined shape is:
A solar thermal power generation system with different dimensions depending on its position.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 9,
At least one of the first predetermined shape and the second predetermined shape is:
A solar thermal power generation system including at least one of a light source, a fluorescent material, a scattering material, and a phosphorescent material.
The solar thermal power generation system according to claim 10,
An illumination unit that supplies light to at least one of the first predetermined shape and the second predetermined shape;
The solar thermal power generation system, wherein at least one of the first predetermined shape and the second predetermined shape includes at least one of the fluorescent material, the scattering material, and the phosphorescent material.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 1,
The solar power generation system, wherein the image includes a second reference for identifying the position of the heliostat.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 1,
The first imaging unit is a solar thermal power generation system including a filter that allows light from the predetermined shape to pass therethrough and blocks disturbance light.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 1,
The solar power generation system, wherein the processing unit extracts a component corresponding to light from the first predetermined shape from the first image.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 1,
The solar thermal power generation system which has a 2nd imaging part arrange | positioned in the position different from a said 1st imaging part.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 1,
A solar thermal power generation system having a second predetermined shape arranged at a position different from the first predetermined shape.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 1,
The first predetermined shape is a solar thermal power generation system in which at least one of the emission wavelength of light to be output and the blinking timing differs according to the position.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 1,
The first predetermined shape is a solar thermal power generation system having different dimensions depending on the position.
In the solar thermal power generation system according to claim 1,
The solar power generation system, wherein the first predetermined shape includes at least one of a light source, a fluorescent material, a scattering material, and a phosphorescent material.
The solar thermal power generation system according to claim 19,
An illumination unit that supplies light to the first predetermined shape;
The solar power generation system, wherein the first predetermined shape includes at least one of the fluorescent material, the scattering material, and the phosphorescent material.
A first predetermined shape for outputting light;
A first imaging unit for obtaining an image of a mirror of the heliostat;
A processing unit,
The first image from the first imaging unit includes at least a part of the first predetermined shape,
The processing unit is a calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system that obtains an angle shift in the first direction of the mirror from the first image.
The calibration system according to claim 21,
The first predetermined shape includes a first reference;
The first image includes the first reference;
The calibration unit for a solar thermal power generation system, wherein the processing unit obtains an angular deviation in a direction intersecting the first direction from the first reference.
The calibration system according to claim 22,
A calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system, wherein the image includes a second reference for identifying the position of the heliostat.
The calibration system of claim 23,
The calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system, wherein the first imaging unit includes a filter that allows light from the predetermined shape to pass therethrough and blocks disturbance light.
The calibration system according to claim 24, wherein
The calibration unit for a solar thermal power generation system, wherein the processing unit extracts a component corresponding to light from the first predetermined shape from the first image.
The calibration system according to claim 25,
A calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system having a second imaging unit arranged at a position different from the first imaging unit.
The calibration system according to claim 26,
A calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system having a second predetermined shape arranged at a position different from the first predetermined shape.
The calibration system according to claim 27,
At least one of the first predetermined shape and the second predetermined shape is:
A calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system in which at least one of the emission wavelength of light to be output and the blinking timing differs according to the position.
The calibration system according to claim 28, wherein
At least one of the first predetermined shape and the second predetermined shape is:
Calibration system for solar power generation system with different dimensions depending on its location.
30. The calibration system of claim 29, wherein
At least one of the first predetermined shape and the second predetermined shape is:
A calibration system for a solar power generation system including at least one of a light source, a fluorescent material, a scattering material, and a phosphorescent material.
The calibration system according to claim 30, wherein
An illumination unit that supplies light to at least one of the first predetermined shape and the second predetermined shape;
A calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system, wherein at least one of the first predetermined shape and the second predetermined shape includes at least one of the fluorescent material, the scattering material, and the phosphorescent material.
The calibration system according to claim 21,
A calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system, wherein the image includes a second reference for identifying the position of the heliostat.
The calibration system according to claim 21,
The calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system, wherein the first imaging unit includes a filter that allows light from the predetermined shape to pass therethrough and blocks disturbance light.
The calibration system according to claim 21,
The calibration unit for a solar thermal power generation system, wherein the processing unit extracts a component corresponding to light from the first predetermined shape from the first image.
The calibration system according to claim 21,
A calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system having a second imaging unit arranged at a position different from the first imaging unit.
The calibration system according to claim 21,
A calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system having a second predetermined shape arranged at a position different from the first predetermined shape.
The calibration system according to claim 21,
The first predetermined shape is a calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system in which at least one of the emission wavelength of light to be output and the blinking timing differs according to the position.
The calibration system according to claim 21,
The first predetermined shape is a calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system having different dimensions depending on its position.
The calibration system according to claim 21,
The calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system, wherein the first predetermined shape includes at least one of a light source, a fluorescent material, a scattering material, and a phosphorescent material.
The calibration system according to claim 19,
An illumination unit that supplies light to the first predetermined shape;
The calibration system for a solar thermal power generation system, wherein the first predetermined shape includes at least one of the fluorescent material, the scattering material, and the phosphorescent material.