Evaluation of aim point optimization methods

In the present work we applied the universal methodology of Belhomme et. al [3] for optimizing the aim point assignment of a solar power tower with a cylindrical molten salt receiver. The methodology uses a combinatorial formulation of the problem and solves it with the ant colony optimization metaheuristic (ACO). Additionally, the local search algorithm (LS) has been implemented recently for optimizing the aim point assignment. A realistic Simulation scenario, including a numerical receiver model of a receiver with molten salt as heat transfer fluid, is used to analyze both optimization strategies and to compare their performances regarding the thermal output of the receiver.