Provided is a light activated rotor comprising typically a plurality of vanes affixed to a hub rotatable around the longitudinal axis of an axle. Each vane comprises a planar surface oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the axle with each vane separated into a first surface and a second surface. The first and second surface are adjacent and share a common boundary generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the axle. Additionally, the first and second surfaces have differing emissivities. When the light activated rotor is illuminated with a radiant flux, the differing emissivities of the first and second surfaces produce a temperature gradient across the vane and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a thermal creep force across the planar surface of the vane generates a revolution of the vane and the affixed hub around the longitudinal axis of the axle.

A solar thermal power system includes a solar receiver, and a thermal energy storage arrangement having thermal energy storage fluid to be circulated through the solar receiver to store thermal energy. The system includes a multistage steam turbine operable on variable pressure steam generated by a steam generator arrangement, by utilizing the thermal energy storage fluid. The arrangement includes an economizer section, an evaporator section, and a superheater section communicably configured to utilize the heat of the hot thermal energy storage fluid to generate and supply the variable pressure steam to the turbine. The system includes a recirculation line configured around the economizer section to recirculate the heated water to an inlet of the economizer section, increasing pressure range of the variable pressure steam in the arrangement.

A transportable, deployable power system comprising a hybrid power box containing solar panels, wind turbine(s), fuel cells, fuel reformers, and other energy sources. The system could also include waste water and potable water inlet and outlet ports for water treatment. It will also allow for shelf mounted solar and wind turbine installation for disaster recovery, backup power for telecommunication, military power, Homeland Security power, off grid homes and water and wastewater packaging domestically and internationally. The present invention is ideal for any situation requiring immediate power and/or water treatment, such as remote construction sites or in emergency situations. The hybrid power box can be mounted to a standard shipping truck, train, or ship, and transported over land to the desired location.

A transportable, deployable power system comprising a hybrid power box containing solar panels, wind turbine(s), fuel cells, fuel reformers, and other energy sources. The system could also include waste water and potable water inlet and outlet ports for water treatment. It will also allow for shelf mounted solar and wind turbine installation for disaster recovery, backup power for telecommunication, military power, Homeland Security power, off grid homes and water and wastewater packaging domestically and internationally. The present invention is ideal for any situation requiring immediate power and/or water treatment, such as remote construction sites or in emergency situations. The hybrid power box can be mounted to a standard shipping truck, train, or ship, and transported over land to the desired location.

The invention relates to a method and to a steam power plant, wherein solar energy can be very flexibly and very efficiently coupled into the water steam circuit of the steam power plant.

The invention relates to a method and to a steam power plant, wherein solar energy can be very flexibly and very efficiently coupled into the water steam circuit of the steam power plant.

An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system having a turbine with an upstream side and a downstream side. Warm water under a partial vacuum is converted into a vapor, the vapor being supplied to the upstream side of the turbine at a pressure controlled by the temperature of the warm water. A condenser is situated on the downstream side of the turbine to cause the vapor, after passing through the turbine, to undergo a phase change back to a liquid, which can be used as potable water. The condenser is coupled to a source of a cooling liquid, and the pressure of the vapor on the downstream side of the turbine is determined by the temperature of the cooling liquid. A flexible floating solar collector supplies the warm liquid to the upstream side at a temperature higher than normal ambient temperature.

A system for extracting work from the expansion of a working fluid includes a vessel having at least a portion of the working fluid, a heating device in thermal communication with the portion of the working fluid in the vessel for heating the portion of the working fluid in the vessel and expanding the working fluid, and a conversion tool. The conversion tool is in fluid communication with the vessel and is configured to receive working fluid from the vessel when the working fluid expands. The conversion tool is further configured to extract work from the expanded working fluid.

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a system to create vapor for generating electric power. The system includes a vessel comprising a fluid and a complex and a turbine. The vessel of the system is configured to concentrate EM radiation received from an EM radiation source. The vessel of the system is further configured to apply the EM radiation to the complex, where the complex absorbs the EM radiation to generate heat. The vessel of the system is also configured to transform, using the heat generated by the complex, the fluid to vapor. The vessel of the system is further configured to sending the vapor to a turbine. The turbine of the system is configured to receive, from the vessel, the vapor used to generate the electric power.

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a system to create vapor for generating electric power. The system includes a vessel comprising a fluid and a complex and a turbine. The vessel of the system is configured to concentrate EM radiation received from an EM radiation source. The vessel of the system is further configured to apply the EM radiation to the complex, where the complex absorbs the EM radiation to generate heat. The vessel of the system is also configured to transform, using the heat generated by the complex, the fluid to vapor. The vessel of the system is further configured to sending the vapor to a turbine. The turbine of the system is configured to receive, from the vessel, the vapor used to generate the electric power.