An inverted funnel-shaped columnar tower (115) includes a window region (120), a heat absorbing surface (130), an air entrance (116) and exit (117). Solar energy passes through the window region and heats the heat absorbing surface. A plurality of fans (145), each connected to a generator (150), are suspended within the tower and extract energy from convectively rising air, generating electricity. A fan (160) outside the tower intercepts wind and turns an internal fan (145) that aids the convective flow, providing a self-starting feature. A plurality of rotors (100) with wings (705) are connected in groups to generators (725) and all are arranged adjacent the tower. The rotors intercept wind energy and deliver it to the generators for conversion to electricity. The rotors include a flap (800) that predetermines the direction of rotation of the rotor, providing a second self-starting feature. The convection and wind-capture functions operate independently.

It is known that up to now there exist turbine systems which although fulfilling the same function as the induced-flow turbine system with cryogenic helium, which is the subject of the invention, present a certain number of technical problems, the high temperature required, up to thousands of degrees Celsius, to operate the thermal turbines that require a compressor and a combustion chamber. The induced flux turbine with cryogenic helium, when driven beyond a critical speed with thermal energy injection, becomes a generator in the image of an AC electric motor which becomes a generator when its rotational speed is greater than the synchronization speed. Thus, the induced flux turbine with cryogenic helium makes it possible to produce electricity and mechanical energy at low temperatures without the use of a mechanical compressor or combustion chamber and makes it possible to operate a reversible cooling system.

A solar chimney is described. The solar chimney comprising: an elongated enclosure configured to provide a fluid passage to receive light from at least one side of the elongated enclosure; and absorbers arranged in a staggered configuration within the fluid passage wherein at least one of the absorbers is offset in a direction along the fluid passage relative to at least one other absorber, each absorber being adapted to absorb energy from the light for heating up fluid in the fluid passage to create an updraft of the fluid. A method of ventilating a building using a solar chimney is also described.

A system for recovering energy from renewable sources comprises a first conduit (2) for the flow of a working fluid, heating means (3) of the fluid in the first conduit (2) adapted to promote the flow thereinside, a turbine (4) having a conveyor (5) in fluid communication with the first conduit (2) and an impeller (6) adapted to be connected to generating means (8) for the generation of energy for receiving the flow sent by the first conduit (2) and intercepted by the conveyor (5) to operate the generating means (8).

The present invention provides a self-supporting chimney apparatus. The chimney apparatus having at least one inflatable compartment. In some embodiments, the chimney apparatus may have a plurality of toroidal compartments, with the dimensions of the toroidal compartments calculated to maximize the structural integrity of the chimney apparatus, and with the pressure in the compartments dynamically adjusted to minimize deflection under wind loading. The self-supporting chimney apparatus may be used to construct an improved solar updraft tower, with the shape of the tower, the greenhouse surrounding its base, and the ground under the greenhouse optimized together to minimize energy losses. The efficiency of the power plant based on the design is further enhanced by combining solar thermal energy generation with photovoltaic energy generation and utilizing the waste heat of the latter.

Invention relates to the field of solar energy. Power station, which has the air stream directional body, at least a pair of generator connected with wind turbines, tough combined greenhouse to the lower end of the body, the external surface of the of which is painted by matt black paint, and due to invention, it (body) is situated on the slope of the mountain, the greenhouse is being realized in the form of body entrance section, and the entrance of which is widened due to the height and width toward body. Before the greenhouse the black color material layer is located on the surface of the earth, and inside there are full of water reservoirs. The power station additionally has electrical air heaters located along the body, heat exchange system and least one horizontal acceleration cell, which is toughly connected with the upper end of the body and has a narrowing transverse cross section. At the free narrowing end of the acceleration cell, a passing cell is situated, at the exit of which a generator fixed to turbine is located. Heat exchange system has a lower radiator, which is located at the body entrance section and an upper radiator; located at the acceleration cell entrance section. Lower and upper radiators are connected with each other by pipes located along the body. The objective of the invention is to rise the EC of the power plant.

Rankine Cycle power generation facility having a plurality of thermal inputs and at least one heat sink, where the heat sink includes a thermal chimney or a natural convective cooling tower. In a preferred embodiment, the power facility generates electricity and/or fresh water with a zero carbon footprint, such as by using a combination of solar and geothermal heating to drive a Rankine Cycle heat engine. In one embodiment, a thermal stack is mounted in the base of the thermal chimney, the thermal stack for using waste heat from the plurality of thermal inputs to drive a natural convective flow of air in the thermal chimney, the convective flow having sufficient momentum to drive additional power generation in an air turbine mounted in the chimney and to drive an evaporative cycle for concentratively extracting fresh water from geothermal brines.

Rankine Cycle power generation facility having a plurality of thermal inputs and at least one heat sink, where the heat sink includes a thermal chimney or a natural convective cooling tower. In a preferred embodiment, the power facility generates electricity and/or fresh water with a zero carbon footprint, such as by using a combination of solar and geothermal heating to drive a Rankine Cycle heat engine. In one embodiment, a thermal stack is mounted in the base of the thermal chimney, the thermal stack for using waste heat from the plurality of thermal inputs to drive a natural convective flow of air in the thermal chimney, the convective flow having sufficient momentum to drive additional power generation in an air turbine mounted in the chimney and to drive an evaporative cycle for concentratively extracting fresh water from geothermal brines.

A solar chimney includes an elongated chamber having the general configuration of an hourglass. The chamber includes one or more heat exchangers for heating air in the chamber by solar energy. A turbine in the chamber is driven by updrafts of air created in the chamber, and the turbine drives an electric generator or other machine. An exhaust wind turbine assists in the production of such updrafts. A vertical axis wind turbine harnesses energy of wind in the environment of the chimney, and such energy is used to drive the exhaust wind turbine. Excess wind energy is stored for later use. A set of extendable and retractable vanes, mounted externally of the chimney, deflects wind, in the environment of the chimney, towards the vertical axis wind turbine.

A device of high-temperature solar gas turbine power generation with thermal energy storage includes a combustion chamber, a solar receiver, a thermochemical energy storage tank, a triple valve A and a triple valve B. The thermochemical energy storage tank has a high-temperature side and a low-temperature side. One outlet of the triple valve A is connected to the compressed air inlet of the solar receiver, and the other outlet is connected to the inlet of the triple valve B. One outlet of the triple valve B is connected to the low-temperature side of the thermochemical energy storage tank, and the other outlet is connected to the inlet of the combustion chamber.