Heat transfer fluid in vapor only state is cycled through solar collector(s) (12) and a sensible heat storage medium (14) to transfer heat from the solar collector(s) (12) to the sensible heat storage medium (14). The heat transfer fluid is a liquid at ambient temperature, but substantially in the vapor state throughout the entire cycle when in operation.

Thermal energy is derived from sunlight. The system has a heating surface arranged to support microparticles to be heated, and a group of optical-fibers arranged to transport sunlight to irradiate microparticles on the heating surface. The optical-fibers are moved relative to the heating surface to enable the microparticles to be heated by the transported light as the optical-fiber scans the microparticles. Apparatus for storing the heated particles and for using the thermal energy is also discussed.

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 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 dispatchable storage combined cycle power plant comprises a combustion turbine generator, a steam power system, a heat source other than the combustion turbine generator, and a thermal energy storage system. Heat from the heat source, from the thermal energy storage system, or from the heat source and the thermal energy storage system is used to generate steam in the steam power system. Heat from the combustion turbine may be used in series with or in parallel with the thermal energy storage system and/or the heat source to generate the steam, and additionally to super heat the steam.

The invention relates to a pipeline system for a linearly concentrating solar power plant (1) with at least one receiver line (13), in which a heat transfer medium is heated by radiating solar energy, or with a central receiver and at least one emptying tank (21) and/or one store for the heat transfer medium, the heat transfer medium having a vapor pressure of less than 0.5 bar at the maximum operating temperature. Furthermore, a gas displacement system (31) is comprised, which connects gas spaces in the at least one emptying tank (21) and/or in the store for the heat transfer medium to one another and which has a central gas store (35) and/or a central gas connection (37) and a central exhaust gas outlet (39), through which gas can be discharged into the surroundings.

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.

Systems and methods for generating electrical power using a solar power system that comprises a pressurized closed loop pipe containing a transfer liquid extending between a solar collector and a heat exchanger. The transfer liquid is heated by the solar collector and gives up its thermal energy at the heat exchange to produce steam. The system also includes a source of geothermal energy and a source of natural gas. The geothermal energy in the form of heat separates the natural gas from the ground water in a separation tank. At the resulting heated ground water from the separation tank is connected to the heat exchanger to supplement thermal energy from the solar collector.

A zero-emission, closed-loop and hybrid solar-produced syngas power cycle is introduced utilizing an oxygen transport reactor (OTR). The fuel is syngas produced within the cycle. The separated oxygen inside the OTR through the ion transport membrane (ITM) is used in the syngas-oxygen combustion process in the permeate side of the OTR. The combustion products in the permeate side of the OTR are CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2O. The combustion gases are used in a turbine for power production and energy utilization then a condenser is used to separate H.sub.2O from CO.sub.2. CO.sub.2 is compressed to the feed side of the OTR. H.sub.2O is evaporated after separation from CO.sub.2 and fed to the feed side of the OTR.

An object of the present invention is to provide a solar heat steam cycle system capable of operating efficiently and stably in keeping with the status of collected or stored heat, and a control method for use with the system. The system includes a heat collector (1) which collects solar thermal energy, a thermal storage device (2) which stores the solar thermal energy collected by the heat collector, a feed water heater (3) which heats feed water, an evaporator (4) which evaporates the feed water supplied from the feed water heater, and a steam turbine (6) driven by steam generated by the evaporator. The system includes a control valve (31) which controls allocations of heating medium supplied from the thermal storage device to the evaporator and the feed water heater.