Electric power is accumulated in another form without using a storage battery so as to more effectively utilize electric power generated by solar power generation. A cold heat source storage system includes a freezer operated by directly utilizing the output power of a solar power generation device, a cold heat source storage chamber cooled by the freezer, a number of water tanks installed in the cold heat source storage chamber, and a heat exchange device installed in the cold heat source storage chamber. The system can be included in heat source storage system, which includes a heater operated by directly utilizing the output power of the solar power generation device, a heat source storage tank which stores water heated by the heater, and a heat exchange device installed in the hot heat source storage tank.

The present invention pertains to a fluid-flow control system (O) that renders an exergy-based optimal output based on the maximization of the total exergy at any given time via control, and suffices an innovative, exergy-based purpose function which instantly optimizes flow in/into any system (S) of power and/or heat generation, industrial or all kinds of manufacturing systems where liquid, gas, and/or one or more phases of fluid is/are involved. Systemic, environmental, technical factors such as equipment performance, losses, demand/supply inputs, temperature and pressure data are considered within the optimization system with the particular help of instrumentation and data control units, and flow control units such as the variable flow/displacement pumps.

A system includes an algae bioreactor that contains an algae slurry, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the algae bioreactor to receive the algae slurry from the algae bioreactor and heat and increase a pressure of the algae slurry, and one or more valves and a flash vessel in fluid communication with a discharge of the heat exchanger to flash the algae slurry and create steam and algae biomass. A separator receives the algae biomass from the flash vessel and separates oils from the algae biomass to generate a biofuel.

A system includes an algae bioreactor that contains an algae slurry, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the algae bioreactor to receive the algae slurry from the algae bioreactor and heat and increase a pressure of the algae slurry, and one or more valves and a flash vessel in fluid communication with a discharge of the heat exchanger to flash the algae slurry and create steam and algae biomass. A separator receives the algae biomass from the flash vessel and separates oils from the algae biomass to generate a biofuel.

An apparatus for water purification includes a membrane distillation (MD) cell; an air conditioner; a photovoltaic solar collector (PVSC) cell including a transparent photovoltaic cell configured to generate electricity, an absorber plate configured to absorb solar radiation, and a flow tube configured to receive the fluid; a first heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger; and a fluid source storing a fluid configured to circulate through the apparatus, wherein the fluid circulating in the apparatus carries heat generated by a condenser of the air conditioner to the PVSC cell where the fluid interacts with the PVSC cell to increase a temperature of the fluid to become a heated fluid; and the heated fluid circulates to the hot channel where the heated fluid drives the distillation of water in the MD cell.

An apparatus, system and method for generating electricity using stored kinetic energy of a flywheel. The apparatus has a generating mechanism, an air passageway, a heating chamber and a heating mechanism. A wind turbine rotates a drive shaft and a pair of flywheels that are independently and selectively rotated by the drive shaft. Input air flowing in the passageway rotates the wind turbine. While one flywheel rotates with the drive shaft to build up kinetic energy, the other flywheel rotates free of the drive shaft to use kinetic energy to drive an output shaft and generate electricity. A heat exchanger heats air in the heating chamber to produce convective air flow to draw input air through the passageway. A thermal energy storage tank stores heat for the heat exchanger. The system includes a source of electricity to power a pump. The method uses the apparatus to produce electricity.

A heat exchange unit for a solar photovoltaic panel comprising backing plate comprising U-channeling depressed in an upper surface thereof flexible tubing positioned within the U-channeling configured to carry fluid; and rear panel, the rear panel being positioned behind the backing plate, the rear panel having a reflective surface to reflect heat from the backing plate; wherein the heat exchange unit is configured to be positioned in thermal contact with a solar panel, with the flexible tubing between the backing plate and solar photovoltaic panel to facilitate heat exchange between the flexible tubing and the solar panel.

Provided is a solar thermal power generation facility that includes: a compressor; a medium heating heat receiver that receives sunlight and heats a compressed medium from the compressor; a turbine that is driven by the compressed medium heated by the medium heating heat receiver; a power generator that generates electric power by driving of the turbine; and a tower that supports these components. The compressor, the turbine, and the power generator are formed as arranged devices. A plurality of the arranged devices are aligned in a vertical direction.

Provided is a solar thermal power generation facility that includes: a compressor; a medium heating heat receiver that receives sunlight and heats a compressed medium from the compressor; a turbine that is driven by the compressed medium heated by the medium heating heat receiver; a power generator that generates electric power by driving of the turbine; and a tower that supports these components. The compressor, the turbine, and the power generator are formed as arranged devices. A plurality of the arranged devices are aligned in a vertical direction.

A recoverable and renewable heat recovery system includes a variable speed inverter compressor in fluid connection with a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger via a fluid circuit. The system further includes a solar thermal collection module positioned on top of the compressor and in fluid communication with the compressor, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger via the fluid circuit. A light intensity sensor is configured to determine light intensity on the solar thermal collection module. The solar thermal collection module is configured to retain solar energy thermal energy to increase fluid pressure in the compressor.