Modern thermal power plants based on classical thermodynamic power cycles suffer from an upper bound efficiency restriction imposed by the Carnot principle. This disclosure teaches how to break away from the classical thermodynamics paradigm in configuring a thermal power plant so that its efficiency will not be restricted by the Carnot principle. The power generation system described herein makes a path for the next generation of low-to-moderate temperature thermal power plants to run at significantly higher efficiencies powered by renewable energy. This disclosure also reveals novel high-performance power schemes with integrated fuel cell technology, driven by a variety of fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, syngas, methane and natural gas, leading toward low-to-zero emission power generation for the future.

Disclosed are systems and methods for manufacturing energy relays for energy directing systems inducing Ordered Energy Localization effects. Ordered Energy Localization relay material distribution criteria are disclosed. Transverse planar as well as multi-dimensional ordered material configurations are discussed. Methods and systems are disclosed for forming non-random patterns of energy relay materials with energy localization properties.

The present disclosure provides a photovoltaic-photothermal reaction complementary full-spectrum solar utilization system, comprising: a waveband thermal reactor having a reactant flow channel and a reaction chamber therein, a photovoltaic cell attached to a surface of the waveband thermal reactor, and a full spectrum concentrator configured to concentrate full spectrum sunlight onto a surface of the photovoltaic cell, wherein the full spectrum concentrating device concentrates the full spectrum sunlight onto a upper surface of the opaque or transmissive photovoltaic cell, wherein a portion of the sunlight is converted into electric energy and another portion of the sunlight is converted into thermal energy, and wherein the thermal energy is utilized by the waveband thermal reactor to preheat reactant(s) in the reaction chamber and to make a portion of the reactant(s) to undergo an endothermic chemical reaction such that the thermal energy is stored as chemical energy.

The present disclosure provides a photovoltaic-photothermal reaction complementary full-spectrum solar utilization system, comprising: a waveband thermal reactor having a reactant flow channel and a reaction chamber therein, a photovoltaic cell attached to a surface of the waveband thermal reactor, and a full spectrum concentrator configured to concentrate full spectrum sunlight onto a surface of the photovoltaic cell, wherein the full spectrum concentrating device concentrates the full spectrum sunlight onto a upper surface of the opaque or transmissive photovoltaic cell, wherein a portion of the sunlight is converted into electric energy and another portion of the sunlight is converted into thermal energy, and wherein the thermal energy is utilized by the waveband thermal reactor to preheat reactant(s) in the reaction chamber and to make a portion of the reactant(s) to undergo an endothermic chemical reaction such that the thermal energy is stored as chemical energy.

A computer-controlled greenhouse system constructed in accordance with the invention above provides climate management and precision cultivation capability. It is equipped with solar energy filtering devices to precisely manage visible sunlight intake based on plants stages and adjust solar heat intake according to climate management needs; it uses geothermal energy for heating and cooling; it reclaims water from moisture released by plants with vapor condensing devices.

Apparatuses and methods for using direct solar radiation. The apparatus may include a housing defining a window configured to transmit solar radiation and a secondary radiation source for transmitting a second radiation in response to the solar radiation via a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon and configured to be executed by a processor to measure the solar radiation and actuate the secondary radiation source.

Apparatuses and methods for using direct solar radiation. The apparatus may include a housing defining a window configured to transmit solar radiation and a secondary radiation source for transmitting a second radiation in response to the solar radiation via a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon and configured to be executed by a processor to measure the solar radiation and actuate the secondary radiation source.

Almost all energy on Earth comes from the Sun. It radiates power to Earth using electromagnetic (EM) waves. However, only a small fraction of the radiation was captured in the forms of photovoltaic, solar heat, hydropower, fossil fuel, and wind. The consumption of the energy comes with serious environmental penalties such as global warming and environmental damages. A system and methods are disclosed to allow capturing, storage, conversion and release of electromagnetic waves and their energy.

Almost all energy on Earth comes from the Sun. It radiates power to Earth using electromagnetic (EM) waves. However, only a small fraction of the radiation was captured in the forms of photovoltaic, solar heat, hydropower, fossil fuel, and wind. The consumption of the energy comes with serious environmental penalties such as global warming and environmental damages. A system and methods are disclosed to allow capturing, storage, conversion and release of electromagnetic waves and their energy.

An electromagnetic radiation collecting and directing apparatus is described herein. The electromagnetic radiation collecting and directing apparatus facilitates directing light from an exterior of a structure to an interior of a structure. The directed light is then distributed as necessary within the structure for heating, illumination, or is stored for use at a later time.