Examples are provided herein that relate to solar heating with a solar refraction device. One example provides a solar heating system, comprising a container configured to enclose contents within the container in a closed configuration, and a solar refraction device comprising a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, the lens array assembly configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points positioned to heat the contents enclosed within the container, each focal point corresponding to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies.

A method of pumping a heat transfer fluid in a thermal energy storage system comprising a first thermal energy storage tank connected to a second thermal energy storage tank via a bi-directional flow member. The first and second thermal energy storage tanks are associated with a pressure vessel system comprising a first and second pressure vessel each pressure vessel being partially fillable with an actuating liquid, wherein, the method for pumping comprises: displacing the actuating liquid from the first pressure vessel to the second pressure vessel, thereby creating a pressure difference in the first thermal energy storage tank with respect to the second thermal energy storage tank, and therein displacing the heat transfer fluid via the bi-directional flow member.

The invention relates to an improved Brayton concentrated solar power generation method, which belongs to the technical field of solar power generation. The method performs the following steps under normal pressure or micro positive pressure: (1) the heat storage medium enters the heat collection device from the low-temperature tank; (2) the sunlight is collected to the heat collection device to transform the heat storage medium into the high-temperature heat storage medium; (3) the high-temperature heat storage medium enters the heat exchanger and exchanges heat with the power working medium; (4) the high-temperature power working medium after heat exchange enters the turbine generator set to provide power generation. Based on the method, the invention also provides a matched power generation system. Adopting the method and device of the invention for power generation has the advantages of low cost, easy construction and maintenance, high efficiency, less restriction, etc., can realize long-term and stable power generation, can be applied to any area, and is conducive to large-scale promotion.

A heating and cooling system powered by renewable energy and assisted with geothermal energy includes a solar cycling unit, a supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO.sub.2) unit, and a refrigerant cycling unit. Solar energy obtained at the solar cycling unit may be used to power the SCO.sub.2 cycling unit. To do so, the solar cycling unit utilizes a solar collector, a thermal energy storage, and a heat exchanger along with a first working fluid which is preferably molten salt or Therminol. Next, the energy generated at the SCO.sub.2 cycling unit, which preferably circulates SCO.sub.2 as a second working fluid, may be used to operate the refrigerant cycling unit. In the refrigerant cycling unit, Tetrafluroethene is preferably used as the third working fluid to produce required cooling effects. Additionally, geothermal heat exchangers may be integrated into the system for use during varying weather conditions.

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.

System for storage of electricity in the form of thermal energy, and release of thermal energy during times of demand. The system includes a unit for containing at least one electrically conducting phase change material and electrical circuitry for driving electrical current through the phase change material to heat the phase change material into a molten state, or at least one electrical heater used to convert electricity into heat stored in the phase change material. Structure is provided for transferring heat in the phase change material to a working fluid such as steam or gas for electricity generation in a steam turbine or gas turbine, capable of generating supercritical fluids. Structure is also provided for transferring heat in the phase change material to a thermal energy to electrical energy conversion device. A suitable phase change material is elemental silicon or an aluminum-silicon alloy.

The present invention is a renewable energy utilization engine power plant comprising; a solar radiant energy collecting system, wherein the solar radiant heat collecting system comprises; a focusing apparatus for collecting solar radiant energy, and a light guide for guiding the solar radiant energy collected by the focusing apparatus to a heating chamber; a biomass processing system, wherein the biomass processing system generates thermal energy from the conversion of biomass material; a combustible fluid processing system, wherein the combustible fluid processing system generates thermal energy from the combustion of the combustible fluid within the heating chamber; and a closed-cycle thermodynamic based engine driven by the collection of the solar radiant energy and thermal energy, wherein the mechanical power generated by the closed-cycle thermodynamic based engine is converted to electrical energy.

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

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.