A solar thermal power generation system is provided with a low-temperature heat collection device; a steam separator; a first hot water line that feeds water separated by a steam separator to the low-temperature heat collection device; a low-temperature heat storage device provided in the first hot water line; a high-temperature heat collection device; a steam turbine; a first main steam line that feeds superheated steam to the steam turbine; a second main steam line that branches from the first main steam line and joins with the first main steam line; a high-temperature heat storage device provided in the second main steam line; a low-temperature bypass line that bypasses the low-temperature heat collection device and; and a high-temperature bypass line that bypasses the high-temperature heat collection device and connects a steam outlet-side of the steam separator to an inlet-side of the high-temperature heat storage device.

The invention provides a process for removal of gaseous decomposition products from high temperature heat transfer fluid HTF of an operational solar thermal power plant having an HTF circuit, in which a volume increase of the HTF in the HTF circuit which is caused by incident solar radiation in an HTF-traversed solar field and consequent heating by day takes place regularly in a day-night cycle and the additional volume formed by the volume increase is collected from the HTF circuit in an expansion vessel, a portion of the additional volume of the HTF is transferred into a drainage vessel operated at relatively low pressure in which gaseous decomposition products and low-boiling constituents escape from the HTF, wherein the low-boiling constituents are condensed, and during the volume contraction of the HTF occurring during the night-time cooling a portion of the additional volume of the HTF is recycled from the drainage vessel into the expansion vessel and from the expansion vessel into the HTF circuit, wherein the volumes in the expansion vessel and the drainage vessel becoming vacant as a result of the transferrals of the HTF are filled with inert gas.

The present invention is a renewable energy utilization engine power plant comprising; a solar radiant energy collecting system, wherein the solar radiant heat collecting system comprises; a focusing apparatus for collecting solar radiant energy, and a light guide for guiding the solar radiant energy collected by the focusing apparatus to a heating chamber; a biomass processing system, wherein the biomass processing system generates thermal energy from the conversion of biomass material; a combustible fluid processing system, wherein the combustible fluid processing system generates thermal energy from the combustion of the combustible fluid within the heating chamber; and a closed-cycle thermodynamic based engine driven by the collection of the solar radiant energy and thermal energy, wherein the mechanical power generated by the closed-cycle thermodynamic based engine is converted to electrical energy.

An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000 C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability. High-voltage DC power conversion and distribution circuitry improves the efficiency of VRE power transfer into the system.

An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000 C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability. High-voltage DC power conversion and distribution circuitry improves the efficiency of VRE power transfer into the system.

An apparatus includes one or more thermal storage blocks that define a radiation chamber and a fluid flow slot positioned above the radiation chamber to define a fluid pathway in a first direction. The apparatus includes a heater element positioned adjacent to the radiation chamber in a second, different direction, wherein the radiation chamber is open on at least one side to the heater element. The apparatus includes a fluid movement system configured to direct a stream of fluid through the fluid pathway in the first direction.

An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000 C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability. High-voltage DC power conversion and distribution circuitry improves the efficiency of VRE power transfer into the system.

A solar energy capture, conversion and storage system for use on a roof of a building for capturing and converting incident solar radiation to heat and electricity. The invention provides an optimised solar energy capture and conversion system that monitors immediately available incident radiation comprising a mounting structure which supports a matrix in which is embedded a conduit containing a working fluid. The fluid or fluid mixture includes at least one hydro-fluoro-ether (HFE). Valves are arranged to open/close ports which connect the solar energy capture system to either a combined heat/electrical generating system or an energy storage system that incorporates a phase change material to store heat energy. Control of the valves is supervised by an energy management system.

A combined cycle power plant comprises a combustion turbine generator, another heat source in addition to the combustion turbine generator, a steam power system, and an energy storage system. Heat from the heat source, from the energy storage system, or from the heat source and the energy storage system is used to generate steam in the steam power system. Heat from the combustion turbine generator exhaust gas may be used primarily for single phase heating of water or steam in the steam power system. Alternatively, heat from the combustion turbine generator exhaust gas may be used in parallel with the energy storage system and/or the other heat source to generate steam, and additionally to super heat steam. Both the combustion turbine generator and the steam power system may generate electricity.

A hydraulic propulsion system converts heat or thermal energy into hydraulic energy, and such hydraulic energy into mechanical work. The hydraulic propulsion system includes a thermal unit, a hydraulic cylinder with pistons and springs mounted therein, one or more hydraulic motors, one or more hydraulic accumulators, and one or more electrical energy generators, as well as a plurality of flow control valves to control the flow of hydraulic fluid between the various components. The hydraulic propulsion system may be enhanced by a sonic transmission unit including a sonic wave generator.