This paper presents a set of steady-state and transient data for dynamic process model validation of the chemical absorption process with monoethanolamine (MEA) for post-combustion CO₂ capture of exhaust gas from a natural gas-fired power plant. The data selection includes a wide range of steady-state operating conditions and transient tests. A dynamic process model developed in the open physical modeling language Modelica is validated. The model is utilized to evaluate the open-loop transient performance at different loads of the plant, showing that pilot plant main process variables respond more slowly at lower operating loads of the plant, to step changes in main process inputs and disturbances. The performance of four decentralized control structures is evaluated, for fast load change transient events. Manipulation of reboiler duty to control CO₂ capture ratio at the absorber’s inlet and rich solvent flow rate to control the stripper bottom solvent temperature showed the best performance.

Concentrating solar power (CSP) technology with thermal energy storage is a renewable and emerging technology. In this work, dynamic models for analyzing and evaluating energy storage concepts and its interaction with the solar field and the power block have been developed. A physical model of a 50 MW CSP plant has been implemented in the modeling language Modelica. The models are developed in a modular, flexible structure with a well-defined interface to easily replace and test modules of various detail and complexity. Models include turbine island, steam generator, solar field, and thermal energy storage system. In addition, a decentralized control configuration has been developed. Results have been successfully validated against the reference plant key steady-state data. Dynamic response of the power block has shown expected behavior, and transient durations were comparable with settling times predicted in literature. Furthermore, the performance of the plant has been evaluated during a typical summer day including effects such as variation of solar irradiance, charging and discharging the heat storage system, and dumping excess heat in the solar field. The summer day scenario results agreed with published performance of the plant.