A single-phase fluid (SPF) storage is introduced for desalination of high-salt water using thermal energy from a concentrated solar power (CSP) unit. The SPF having a specific volumetric enthalpy higher than that of water at critical point in the operating ranges from 20 to 300 bar in pressure and 190 to 400 C in temperature is used as a new type of thermal energy storage (TES) medium and heat transfer fluid (HTF). It produces wet steam of a quality required by the desalination unit generating both steam for utilization of latent heat and condensate for sensible heat when its pressure is reduced to lower operating pressures. With a MED-TVC unit by using the steam as motive steam, the capacity of the CSP unit and SPF storage can be reduced as much as the energy recycled in the desalination unit.

An urban concentrated solar power for mounting on a roof top is provided. The urban concentrated solar power has a heat receiver has a non-circular duct that distinguishes an insulated area with an insulation layer on the outer surface of the non-circular duct and a non-insulated area. The non-circular duct contains a heat transferring fluid which can reach temperatures of at least 500 degrees Celsius. A parabolic trough with an aperture of below 2 meters concentrates sunlight onto the non-insulated area of the non-circular duct of the heat receiver. The heat receiver can be placed in a glass tube. Due to roof top mounting the electricity can be generated in proximity of the user and as a result decrease net congestion. The low-cost heat receiver design will make electricity generated by urban CSP competitive with electricity from fossil fuel plants and PV combined with lithium-ion battery storage.

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.

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.

A convective power generation device is described based on thermal convection and thermal input energy. The energy generation device operates by heating wax and oil by heat from a solar concentrator or geothermal energy; as the weight of the wax becomes liquid that is lighter than the oil, the liquid wax moves up through a pathway; when the liquid wax reaches the top of the pathway, the cooler wax falls towards collecting cups mounted to a continuous belt and forces the belt downward to rotate the belt; when a collector cup of wax reaches the bottom of belt rotation, the wax falls to a reservoir; and the rotation of the belt drives a gearbox, which drives a generator to produce electric power. The convective power generation device has been shown to have higher energy conversion efficiency than photovoltaics.

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 disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a system that converts sunlight into electricity. During operation, the system concentrates the sunlight onto a front surface of a selective absorber, wherein the selective absorber comprises a semiconductor material having a band gap capable of absorbing most spectral components of the sunlight (such as intrinsic silicon), and wherein the concentrated sunlight causes heat to build up in the selective absorber. Next, the system uses heat obtained from the selective absorber to drive a heat engine, which converts the heat into mechanical energy. Finally, the system converts the mechanical energy into electricity.

The invention belongs to the technical field of solar thermal power generation equipment, and discloses a combined solar thermal power generation system. The system comprises a parabolic trough collector subsystem, a heat exchanger subsystem, a Rankine cycle power generation subsystem and a dish power generation subsystem; the parabolic trough collector subsystem comprises a trough-type mirror field, a pump and a valve; the heat exchanger subsystem comprises a superheater, an evaporator and a preheater; the Rankine cycle power generation subsystem comprises a temperature-decreased pressure reducer, a steam turbine, an electric generator, a condenser, a condensate pump, a deaerator and a feedwater pump; and the dish power generation subsystem comprises a dish-type mirror field and a Stirling engine set. The system utilizes the heat released by the cold chamber of the Stirling engine by condensed fluid of the Rankine cycle. It provides an extra heat source for the Rankine cycle, which increases the power of the steam turbine and improves the solar to electric efficiency of the thermal power generation system.

A solar power system having a heat exchanger, a heat-focusing mirror used to receive sunlight, a turbine generator, and a battery coupled to the turbine generator is provided. The heat exchanger has a first guiding channel for a first heat-exchange fluid and a second guiding channel for a second heat-exchange fluid. Sunlight is focused to the first heat-exchange fluid flow in the first guiding channel by the heat-focusing mirror. One end of the turbine generator is communicated with the outlet of the second guiding channel. The second heat-exchange fluid is suitable for driving the turbine generator to produce an electric power, and the electric power can be stored into the battery.

Systems and methods for the desalination of water are disclosed. A system includes a concentrated solar power (CSP) system, the CSP system operable to concentrate solar energy to increase temperature and pressure of a heat transfer fluid and operable to produce steam utilizing heat from the heat transfer fluid; a photovoltaic (PV) system, the PV system operable to collect solar energy to produce electricity; a desalination system in fluid communication with the CSP system and in electrical communication with the PV system, the desalination system operable to produce desalinated water from a salt water source utilizing the steam from the CSP system and electricity from the PV system; and a pump station in fluid communication with the CSP system and the desalination system, and in electrical communication with the PV system, the pump station operable to transmit the desalinated water to consumers for use.