A system for energy storage and electricity generation is described. The system includes an energy storage system providing compressed air and an electricity generation system. The electricity generation system includes an airlift pumping system pneumatically coupled to the energy storage system. The airlift pumping system includes a water collecting tank containing collecting water and a riser tube having a base immersed in the collecting water and configured for injection of the compressed air into the riser tube through the air pipeline to provide air bubbles within the riser tube that produce an upward flow of the collecting water together with the air bubbles. The electricity generation system also includes a hydro-electric power system driven by upward flow of the collecting water together with the air bubbles to produce electricity, and a water heating system for heating the collecting water in the water collecting tank.

A system for energy storage and electricity generation is described. The system includes an energy storage system providing compressed air and an electricity generation system. The electricity generation system includes an airlift pumping system pneumatically coupled to the energy storage system. The airlift pumping system includes a water collecting tank containing collecting water and a riser tube having a base immersed in the collecting water and configured for injection of the compressed air into the riser tube through the air pipeline to provide air bubbles within the riser tube that produce an upward flow of the collecting water together with the air bubbles. The electricity generation system also includes a hydro-electric power system driven by upward flow of the collecting water together with the air bubbles to produce electricity, and a water heating system for heating the collecting water in the water collecting tank.

The present invention relates to a solar collector (1) comprising a containment structure (6) with at least one face exposed to solar radiation, said containment structure (6) comprising a central housing recess (7) and an outer edge (8) that surrounds said central housing recess (7), inside said central recess (7) a primary conduit being arranged for the circulation of a primary heat transfer fluid, exposed to solar radiation, a secondary conduit for the circulation of a secondary fluid, and a heat exchange area between said primary and secondary conduit for the heat exchange between the primary heat transfer fluid and the secondary fluid, said solar collector (1) being characterized in that in at least one portion of said outer edge (8) of the containment structure (6) at least one dissipation conduit (9) is obtained in fluid communication with said primary conduit to dissipate the excess heat to outside said solar collector (1).

The present invention relates to a solar collector (1) comprising a containment structure (6) with at least one face exposed to solar radiation, said containment structure (6) comprising a central housing recess (7) and an outer edge (8) that surrounds said central housing recess (7), inside said central recess (7) a primary conduit being arranged for the circulation of a primary heat transfer fluid, exposed to solar radiation, a secondary conduit for the circulation of a secondary fluid, and a heat exchange area between said primary and secondary conduit for the heat exchange between the primary heat transfer fluid and the secondary fluid, said solar collector (1) being characterized in that in at least one portion of said outer edge (8) of the containment structure (6) at least one dissipation conduit (9) is obtained in fluid communication with said primary conduit to dissipate the excess heat to outside said solar collector (1).

In one embodiment, a concentrated solar power system includes a solar tower, multiple solar receivers mounted to the solar tower at different vertical elevations, and a plurality of heliostats provided on the ground within a heliostat field, wherein each heliostat is configured to concentrate solar radiation on any of the solar receivers mounted to the solar tower.

In one embodiment, a concentrated solar power system includes a solar tower, multiple solar receivers mounted to the solar tower at different vertical elevations, and a plurality of heliostats provided on the ground within a heliostat field, wherein each heliostat is configured to concentrate solar radiation on any of the solar receivers mounted to the solar tower.

A central receiver for a solar power facility is provided comprising an arrangement of heat absorber tubes located in a chamber having a window that, in use, is to receive solar radiation reflected by a heliostat field. The heat absorber tubes extend transversely relative to the window and are connected into a working fluid circuit. The window forms an atmospheric air inlet and the chamber has an outlet in a region opposite the window. An air flow promoting fan induces a flow of atmospheric air inwards through the window, past the absorber tubes; and through the outlet. The receiver preferably includes multiple rows of unpressurized louvers or panes having oblique frontal surfaces such that reflected rays travel into the chamber and provide a leading row in which the temperature of the louvers is, under operating conditions, maintained at a level low enough to reduce thermal reflection and radiation losses.

Heat storage devices and circuits suitable for storing solar energy, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. Representative systems can include a solar energy collection system having a first solar field coupled between a first working fluid source and a target heat user via first fluid network, at least one heat storage device, and a second solar field coupled to the at least one heat storage device via a second fluid network. The second fluid network carries a second working fluid and is isolated from fluid communication with the first fluid network. At least one heat exchanger is coupled to the first and second fluid networks to provide thermal communication between the first and second fluid networks.

This invention relates to flat plate solar collectors and, particularly, to solar panels applied in these flat plate solar collectors.

The proposed solar panel is designed as a shallow box, with rear and front walls, which are conditionally vertically positioned a most part of the external surface of the front wall is provided with a coating absorbing solar radiation.

In addition, the internal side of the rear wall is joined with an auxiliary perforated sheet.

There is a rectangular pipe, which is installed vertically or horizontally on the exterior side of the front wall and serves for passage of a liquid to be heated.

The solar panel is functioning as a flat heat pipe with zones of evaporation and condensation on the front wall.

Elastic deformations of the front and rear walls under difference between atmospheric and internal pressure allows to prevent overheating of liquid in the vertical rectangular pipe.

The invention relates to a thermal energy storage with at least one thermal energy storage volume. The thermal energy storage comprises at least one primary borehole extending from ground level to a first predetermined depth in a rock body; at least one set of secondary boreholes located around the at least one primary borehole; and at least an upper and a lower fracture plane extending in a radial and/or oblique plane from the at least one primary borehole towards adjacent secondary boreholes. At least one fracture plane permits a hydraulic flow between at least one of the secondary boreholes and the primary borehole. Each thermal energy storage volume is defined by one set of secondary boreholes and its upper and lower fracture planes. The set of secondary boreholes diverge away from the at least one primary borehole at each fractured plane level, without intersecting the at least one primary borehole.