TRNSYS Modeling of the SEGS VI Parabolic Trough Solar Electric Generating System

A detailed performance model of the 30 MWe SEGS VI parabolic trough plant was created in the TRNSYS simulation environment using the Solar Thermal Electric Component model library. Both solar and power cycle performance were modeled, but natural gas-fired hybrid operation was not. Good agreement between model predictions and plant measurements was found, with errors usually less than 10%, and transient effects such as startup, shutdown, and cloud response were adequately modeled. While the model could be improved, it demonstrates the capability to perform detailed analysis and is useful for such things as evaluating proposed trough storage systems