The present invention relates to the utilization of solar energy for generation of electricity and/or production of clean fuels or other chemicals, as a means for long term, transportable storage of inherently intermittent solar energy.

A solar concentrator comprising: a base; a framework, the framework being hingedly joined to the base such that the framework can be rotated relative to the base; and a plurality of mirrors arranged relative to a first axis of the framework, such that all of the mirrors are located on one side of a plane which contains the first axis, each mirror being fixed to the framework and each mirror being arranged to reflect light travelling parallel to the first axis towards a common focus which lies on the first axis.

A solar concentrator (100) comprising: a base (190); a framework (170), the framework (170) being hingedly joined to the base (190) such that the framework (170) can be rotated relative to the base (190); and a plurality of mirrors (110) arranged relative to a first axis (200) of the framework (170), such that all of the mirrors (110) are located on one side of a plane which contains the first axis (200), each mirror being fixed to the framework (170) and each mirror being arranged to reflect light travelling parallel to the first axis (200) towards a common focus which lies on the first axis (200).

A concentrated solar power (CSP) plant includes: a plurality of heliostats or a heliostat field; a substantially cylindrical solar energy receiver located atop a central tower and having an external surface covered with receiver panels and a heat shield adjacent the solar receiver, the heliostats reflecting solar energy to the external surface of the receiver, each receiver panel including a plurality of heat exchanger tubes configured to transport a heat transfer fluid, which are partly exposed on the external surface of the receiver; and a thermo-mechanical monitoring system for ensuring integrity of the solar receiver panel tubes in operation. The thermomechanical monitoring system includes at least: a plurality of thermal imaging devices located on ground and mounted each on a securing and orienting device, for measuring infrared radiation emitted by the external surface of the receiver and providing a panel temperature-dependent signal in an area of the external surface.

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 solar receiver includes a hollow body, which has a longitudinal axis (8.4), a wall (8) surrounding the longitudinal axis (8.4), an opening (9) disposed in the wall (8) for the entry of heat rays, and an end region opposite the opening (9). The wall (8) includes an outer wall (8.1), an inner wall (8.2), and a partition wall (8.3) disposed therebetween. The outer wall (8.1) and the partition wall (8.3) enclose an outer annular space (8.1.1). The inner wall (8.2) and the partition wall (8.3) enclose an inner annular space (8.2.1). The outer annular space (8.1.1) has, in the end region, an inlet (12) for a free-flowing medium. The two annular spaces (8.1.1, 8.2.1) are conductively connected to one another in the region of the opening (9), and the inner annular space (8.2.1) has an outlet (11) for a free-flowing medium in the end region.

A concentrated solar power (CSP) plant includes: a plurality of heliostats or a heliostat field; a substantially cylindrical solar energy receiver located atop a central tower and having an external surface covered with receiver panels and a heat shield adjacent the solar receiver, the heliostats reflecting solar energy to the external surface of the receiver, each receiver panel including a plurality of heat exchanger tubes configured to transport a heat transfer fluid, which are partly exposed on the external surface of the receiver; and a thermo-mechanical monitoring system for ensuring integrity of the solar receiver panel tubes in operation. The thermomechanical monitoring system includes at least: a plurality of thermal imaging devices located on ground and mounted each on a securing and orienting device, for measuring infrared radiation emitted by the external surface of the receiver and providing a panel temperature-dependent signal in an area of the external surface.

The particle-to-working fluid heat exchanger is a particle-to-working fluid counter-flow direct contact heat exchanger formed from a heat exchange chamber having opposed upper and lower ends. A diameter of the heat exchange chamber decreases from the upper end to the lower end, with a fluid inlet positioned adjacent the lower end for receiving a stream of fluid. The stream of fluid is tangentially and upwardly directed within the heat exchange chamber. The heat exchange chamber also has a fluid outlet positioned adjacent the upper end thereof. A distribution manifold for the heat exchange chamber produces a plurality of streams of heated particles which exchange thermal energy with the stream of fluid to generate a stream of heated fluid and a volume of cooled particles. A solar power generator, in the form of a solar tower, is further provided, which incorporates the particle-to-working fluid counter-flow direct contact heat exchanger.

Solar thermal power generation equipment is equipped with a wind turbine, a compressor, a heat receiver that receives sunlight to heat a compressed medium from the compressor, a turbine driven by the compressed medium heated with the heat receiver, a power generator that performs power generation by driving of the turbine, a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the wind turbine to the power generator, and a tower which supports these components. The wind turbine, the compressor, the turbine, and the power generator each constitute an array apparatus. The plurality of array apparatuses are arranged in a vertical direction.

Kinetic Energy Electric Power is an ecofriendly method of producing utility-scale electricity. It does not need high pressure steam to operate, there is no need for expensive steam turbines, nor do any of its operating plants need to be placed within any particular geographical location or weather condition such as sunny, windy, near water, etc. This invention is driven by heated air flowing through a system of solar thermal panels containing mineral oil, or another suitable heat-retaining liquid, that is circulated within a closed circuit piping network through one or more thermal energy storage tanks then through heat exchangers located in one or more large heat chambers that have a chimney stack extending skyward in order to facilitate the draft of air. As the air inside the chambers is heated and expands, it is forced out the top, because of stack effect, through the chimney, thus forcing fresh air to flow in through an opening at the chambers' bottom that brings outside air in via a passageway and travels through one or more paddlewheel-like wind turbines that drive multiple large, weighted flywheels that have multiple electric generators attached to them via gear/clutch mechanisms and producing utility-grade electricity 24/7, 365.