The concentrated solar power (CSP) technology harness solar radiation energy, produces electricity by heating up a working fluid to drive an engine or turbine. Because solar radiation flux is too low to heat up a working fluid, heliostat comes in to concentrate solar flux to achieve that high-temperature 560^oC.

There are generally four types of solar concentrators: parabolic trough, parabolic dish, central-receiver, and linear Fresnel. Out of them, the central-receiver system (CRS) is technically the most efficient design, having high potentials of improvement in the future.

 

Previous Work:

 

Modelling and simulation were carried out on SolidWorks 2018. Analysis of its structural integrity, weight, and wind load resistance was successfully done on Solid WORKS 2018 Simulation software.

In Fig. 01, a detailed scheme for the experimental connection of the Dual Axis slew drive in the tracking system was illustrated. The purpose of the dual-axis slew drive was to enable the mirror to accurately track the sun throughout the day with the aid of a computer-controlled system. MATLAB and SolidWorks software were used to calculate the positions and angle values of the sun at specific times each day. That is why tracking system was capable of moving the array in both east-west and a north-south axis.

 

Current Work:

 

Currently, we are working on the development of the heliostat at KSK campus of UET in energy Park with the capacity of 3 KW. 

 

Collaborations:

 

1.      Centre for Energy Research and Development (CERAD)

 

Team leader:

 

Dr. Naseer Ahmed

 

Team members:

 

Hammad Farooq, Hafiz Muhammad Waqas Badar, Muhammad Rizwan