A solar chemically recuperated gas turbine system includes an exhaust-gas reformer, a solar reformer and a gas turbine unit with a combustion chamber. The reaction outlet of the exhaust-gas reformer is connected to the inlet of the solar reformer, the flue gas side inlet of the exhaust-gas reformer is connected to the exhaust-gas outlet of the gas turbine. The solar reformer outlet is connected to the combustion chamber inlet. Combustion gas drives the gas turbine after fuel burns in the combustion chamber, and the exhaust gas enters the exhaust-gas reformer. Fuel and steam are mixed and enter the reaction side of the exhaust-gas reformer through a fuel inlet. A reforming reaction between the fuel and steam under heating of the exhaust gas generates syngas. A further reforming reaction occurs by absorbing concentrated solar energy after the syngas enters the solar reformer, and the reactant is provided to combustion chamber.

A concentrated solar power storage system and method convert water into water vapor by the solar thermal energy, and the water vapor further operates a hydroelectric power generation system with a water storage (or an energy storage capsule) through a repeated conversion process.

Disclosed are systems and methods for pump control of a closed thermodynamic cycle system, such as a Brayton cycle. Operational parameters such as working fluid temperature, thermal fluid temperature, stream pressure, and power generation may be the basis for controlling a thermal fluid pump rate.

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described. Low pressure solar receivers are provided that function to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy of a working fluid, e.g., a working fluid of a power generation or thermal storage system. In some embodiments, low pressure solar receivers are provided herein that are useful in conjunction with gas turbine based power generation systems.

A system for generating electricity, heat, and desalinated water having a gas turbine system connected to a first electric generator, a waste heat recovery boiler (WHRB) system, a combined heat and power (CHP) generation system connected to a second electric generator, one or more solar powered energy systems, and a desalination system. The desalination system is connected to the CHP generation system and the WHRB system. The gas turbine system generates electricity and heat, the WHRB system is connected to and uses the exhaust of the gas turbine system to provide heat and steam power to the CHP generation system. The CHP generation system produces and provides electricity and heat to the desalination system, which produces product water, and at least one solar powered energy system provides thermal energy to one or more of the gas turbine system, the WHRB system, the CHP generation system, and the desalination system.

A system for generating electricity, heat, and desalinated water having a gas turbine system connected to a first electric generator, a waste heat recovery boiler (WHRB) system, a combined heat and power (CHP) generation system connected to a second electric generator, one or more solar powered energy systems, and a desalination system. The desalination system is connected to the CHP generation system and the WHRB system. The gas turbine system generates electricity and heat, the WHRB system is connected to and uses the exhaust of the gas turbine system to provide heat and steam power to the CHP generation system. The CHP generation system produces and provides electricity and heat to the desalination system, which produces product water, and at least one solar powered energy system provides thermal energy to one or more of the gas turbine system, the WHRB system, the CHP generation system, and the desalination system.

Provided are a high-temperature-side loop to which thermal fluid from a thermal line is supplied for power generation, a low-temperature-side loop to which the thermal fluid from the high-temperature-side loop is guided for power generation, a thermal-fluid thermometer to detect a temperature of the thermal fluid supplied to the high-temperature-side loop, and a line switcher to switch, on the basis of the detected temperature of the thermal-fluid thermometer, between a mode where the thermal fluid from the thermal line is supplied through the high-temperature-side loop to the low-temperature-side loop and a mode where the supply of the thermal fluid to the high-temperature-side loop is shut off and the thermal fluid is supplied only to the low-temperature-side loop.

A thermal heat storage system is provided, including a storage tank, a heat injection system and a heat recovery system. The storage tank holds a material for thermal storage. The heat injection system is coupled to an intake on the storage tank. The heat recovery system is coupled to an output on the storage tank and also uses vapor under depressurized conditions for heat transfer.

Heat engines employing fluid bearing assemblies hermetically sealed with a closed flowpath for a working fluid are generally disclosed. For example, the heat engine includes a rotating drivetrain and a fluid bearing assembly. The rotating drivetrain includes a compressor section, an expander section, and a heat exchanger. The compressor section and expander section together define at least in part a closed flowpath for the flow of a working fluid. The heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the closed flowpath for adding heat to the working fluid. The fluid bearing assembly is configured to utilize the working fluid to support the rotating drivetrain. Further, the fluid bearing assembly is hermetically sealed with the closed flowpath.

A system for generating electricity, heat, and desalinated water having a gas turbine system connected to a first electric generator, a waste heat recovery boiler (WHRB) system, a combined heat and power (CHP) generation system connected to a second electric generator, one or more solar powered energy systems, and a desalination system. The desalination system is connected to the CHP generation system and the WHRB system. The gas turbine system generates electricity and heat, the WHRB system is connected to and uses the exhaust of the gas turbine system to provide heat and steam power to the CHP generation system. The CHP generation system produces and provides electricity and heat to the desalination system, which produces product water, and at least one solar powered energy system provides thermal energy to one or more of the gas turbine system, the WHRB system, the CHP generation system, and the desalination system.