A system is disclosed that utilizes renewable energy to generate high temperature, superheated steam for driving a prime mover, such as a steam turbine coupled to an electrical generator, and/or to deliver heat where only a portion of the renewable energy system needs to withstand a high temperature working fluid that is necessary to generate high temperature superheated steam.

The present disclosure solves the problem of solar energy capture and storage for solar power generating devices. This power system does not rely on batteries to accomplish energy generation during nighttime operating hours or during cloudy days. Solar energy is collected in a chamber equipped with opposing parabolic mirrors and a gaseous medium. The solar energy collector traps the majority of incoming sunlight and, through the processes of thermal radiation, heat conduction, and heat convection, converts said sunlight into useable heat energy. The heated gaseous medium is pumped to a Stirling engine for the purpose of conversion to mechanical power.

The present invention relates to a low temperature, low frequency Stirling engine. Its special geometry allows for large heat exchanger surfaces and great regenerators in order to reach good “Carnoization” efficiency factors. Displacer and power piston may be connected with circular polymer based membrane sealings to the cylinder walls. The cold space of the Stirling Engine may cylindrically Surround the outer periphery of the working cylinder, making thermal isolation obsolete. The engine is for instance suited to operate as base power prime mover using thermal solar collectors and may be coupled with hot oil or pressurized water heat storages. In the reverse mode, the Engine works as effective Heat-Pump/Cooling Engine.

A solar energy powered Stirling duplex cooler is presented which includes a Stirling engine and a Stirling cooler. The Stirling engine drives the Stirling cooler to produce cold temperatures for refrigeration or air conditioning. The Stirling duplex cooler includes a solar concentrator to focus high temperature solar radiation upon the Stirling engine expansion space. The Stirling duplex cooler further includes a thermal storage tank to receive and store heat rejected from the cooler expansion space. This stored heat is used to operate the cooler at night. A flywheel connected operatively to engine and cooler expansion space pistons and a crankshaft connected operatively to engine and cooler compression space pistons actuate the pistons to move a working fluid between the expansion and compression spaces.

Disclosed herein is a method comprising heating a strontium-containing compound using radiation in a first reactor; decomposing the strontium-containing compound into an oxide and carbon dioxide as a result of heat generated by the exposure to the radiation; reacting the oxide and the carbon dioxide in a second reactor; where the oxide and carbon dioxide react to produce heat; heating a working fluid using the heat produced in the second reactor; and driving a turbine with the heated working fluid to generate energy. Disclosed herein too is a composition comprising strontium carbonate; and strontium zirconate; where the mass ratio of strontium carbonate to strontium zirconate 2:8 to 8:2.

A solar energy powered Stirling duplex cooler is presented which includes a Stirling engine and a Stirling cooler. The Stirling engine drives the Stirling cooler to produce cold temperatures for refrigeration or air conditioning. The Stirling duplex cooler includes a solar concentrator to focus high temperature solar radiation upon the Stirling engine expansion space. The Stirling duplex cooler further includes a thermal storage tank to receive and store heat rejected from the cooler expansion space. This stored heat is used to operate the cooler at night. A flywheel connected operatively to engine and cooler expansion space pistons and a crankshaft connected operatively to engine and cooler compression space pistons actuate the pistons to move a working fluid between the expansion and compression spaces.

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described.

A solar energy powered Stirling duplex cooler is presented which includes a Stirling engine and a Stirling cooler. The Stirling engine drives the Stirling cooler to produce cold temperatures for refrigeration or air conditioning. The Stirling duplex cooler includes a solar concentrator to focus high temperature solar radiation upon the Stirling engine expansion space. The Stirling duplex cooler further includes a thermal storage tank to receive and store heat rejected from the cooler expansion space. This stored heat is used to operate the cooler at night. A flywheel connected operatively to engine and cooler expansion space pistons and a crankshaft connected operatively to engine and cooler compression space pistons actuate the pistons to move a working fluid between the expansion and compression spaces.

A solar energy powered Stirling duplex cooler is presented which includes a Stirling engine and a Stirling cooler. The Stirling engine drives the Stirling cooler to produce cold temperatures for refrigeration or air conditioning. The Stirling duplex cooler includes a solar concentrator to focus high temperature solar radiation upon the Stirling engine expansion space. The Stirling duplex cooler further includes a thermal storage tank to receive and store heat rejected from the cooler expansion space. This stored heat is used to operate the cooler at night. A flywheel connected operatively to engine and cooler expansion space pistons and a crankshaft connected operatively to engine and cooler compression space pistons actuate the pistons to move a working fluid between the expansion and compression spaces.

A solar energy powered Stirling duplex cooler is presented which includes a Stirling engine and a Stirling cooler. The Stirling engine drives the Stirling cooler to produce cold temperatures for refrigeration or air conditioning. The Stirling duplex cooler includes a solar concentrator to focus high temperature solar radiation upon the Stirling engine expansion space. The Stirling duplex cooler further includes a thermal storage tank to receive and store heat rejected from the cooler expansion space. This stored heat is used to operate the cooler at night. A flywheel connected operatively to engine and cooler expansion space pistons and a crankshaft connected operatively to engine and cooler compression space pistons actuate the pistons to move a working fluid between the expansion and compression spaces.