Development background
Renewable energy is seen as an alternative to the world’s dwindling supply of fossil fuels and as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One of the driving forces for solar thermal and photovoltaic power generation systems in recent years has been their ability to generate electricity during the daytime hours, when demand is at its highest.

In a solar thermal power generation system, sunlight is concentrated onto a receiver that uses the heat to turn water into steam, which rotates a turbine and generates electricity. By controlling the angle of the heliostat so it tracks the movement of the sun, it is possible to precisely focus the sunlight onto the receiver. For photovoltaic power generation systems, although most solar panels used today are of the fixed type, power generating efficiency can be improved if panels are kept directed at an optimal angle towards the sun. Control technologies that can precisely orient the heliostats and panels to follow the movement of the sun are crucial.

By utilising its reliable control technologies, Yokogawa has developed the HXS10 to control the actuation systems of solar thermal and photovoltaic power generation systems. Based on the facility location, date, and time, the HXS10 calculates the position of the sun through a high-resolution (64-bit) solar position algorithm, and operates motors or hydraulic actuators to adjust the angle of the heliostats and solar panels so they stay pointed toward the sun.

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