A hardened solar thermal energy collector (STEC) system that is adapted to withstand a nuclear detonation or other powerful explosion in the vicinity. The STEC system comprises a plurality of collector tubes arranged side by side in an array that carry and circulate a working fluid, each of the plurality of collecting tubes having an upper radiation collection surface having a diffractive optical structure and a bottom surface, a supporting tray upon which each of the collector tubes is securely mounted, an insulated housing set beneath a ground surface level enclosing the plurality of collector rubes and supporting trays, and a secured underground geothermal storage unit fluidly coupled to the array of collector tubes. The housing, the plurality of collector tubes, and the tray are positioned such that topmost portions thereof are at the ground surface level or below.

A hardened solar thermal energy collector (STEC) system that is adapted to withstand a nuclear detonation or other powerful explosion in the vicinity. The STEC system comprises a plurality of collector tubes arranged side by side in an array that carry and circulate a working fluid, each of the plurality of collecting tubes having an upper radiation collection surface having a diffractive optical structure and a bottom surface, a supporting tray upon which each of the collector tubes is securely mounted, an insulated housing set beneath a ground surface level enclosing the plurality of collector rubes and supporting trays, and a secured underground geothermal storage unit fluidly coupled to the array of collector tubes. The housing, the plurality of collector tubes, and the tray are positioned such that topmost portions thereof are at the ground surface level or below.

The invention relates to a method for operating a linearly concentrating solar power plant (1), in which a heat transfer medium flows through a pipeline loop (47) having at least one receiver, the heat transfer medium having a flow velocity which is such that the flow in the pipeline loop (47) is turbulent, at least part of the heat transfer medium, upon exit from the pipeline loop (47), being extracted and recirculated into the pipeline loop (47). Furthermore, the invention relates to a linearly concentrating solar power plant with at least one pipeline loop (47) having at least one receiver in which a heat transfer medium flowing through the pipeline loop (47) is heated by irradiating solar energy, a mixing device (27) being comprised, in which at least part of the heat transfer medium flowing through the pipeline loop (47) is mixed with heat transfer medium to be delivered.

The invention relates to a method for operating a linearly concentrating solar power plant (1), in which a heat transfer medium flows through a pipeline loop (47) having at least one receiver, the heat transfer medium having a flow velocity which is such that the flow in the pipeline loop (47) is turbulent, at least part of the heat transfer medium, upon exit from the pipeline loop (47), being extracted and recirculated into the pipeline loop (47). Furthermore, the invention relates to a linearly concentrating solar power plant with at least one pipeline loop (47) having at least one receiver in which a heat transfer medium flowing through the pipeline loop (47) is heated by irradiating solar energy, a mixing device (27) being comprised, in which at least part of the heat transfer medium flowing through the pipeline loop (47) is mixed with heat transfer medium to be delivered.

A hydride heat engine produces electricity from a heat source, such as a solar heater. A plurality of metal hydride reservoirs are heated by the heating device and a working fluid comprises hydrogen is incrementally move from one metal hydride reservoir to a success metal hydride reservoir. The working fluid is passed, at a high pressure, from the last of the plurality of metal hydride reservoirs to an electro-chemical-expander. The electro-chemical-expander has an anode, a cathode, and an ionomer therebetween. The hydrogen is passed from the anode at high pressure to the cathode at lower pressure and electricity is generated. The solar heater may be a solar water heater and the hot water may heat the metal hydride reservoirs to move the hydrogen. The working fluid may move in a closed loop.

A hydride heat engine produces electricity from a heat source, such as a solar heater. A plurality of metal hydride reservoirs are heated by the heating device and a working fluid comprises hydrogen is incrementally move from one metal hydride reservoir to a success metal hydride reservoir. The working fluid is passed, at a high pressure, from the last of the plurality of metal hydride reservoirs to an electro-chemical-expander. The electro-chemical-expander has an anode, a cathode, and an ionomer therebetween. The hydrogen is passed from the anode at high pressure to the cathode at lower pressure and electricity is generated. The solar heater may be a solar water heater and the hot water may heat the metal hydride reservoirs to move the hydrogen. The working fluid may move in a closed loop.

A solar heat collector includes a container, a transparent cover plate located on the container, a thermal insulation material located inside of the container to form an insulation space, and a heat absorption plate located in the insulation space. The heat absorption plate includes a base and a coating located on the base, and the coating includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes entangled with each other to form a network structure and a plurality of carbon particles in the network structure.

A solar heat collector includes a container, a transparent cover plate located on the container, a thermal insulation material located inside of the container to form an insulation space, and a heat absorption plate located in the insulation space. The heat absorption plate includes a base and a coating located on the base, and the coating includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes entangled with each other to form a network structure and a plurality of carbon particles in the network structure.

Concentrated solar power and heating systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described.

Concentrated solar power and heating systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described.