Abstract: Thermal energy storage is leveraged to store thermal energy extracted from a bottom cycle heat engine. The thermal energy stored in the thermal energy storage is used to supplement power generation by the bottom cycle heat engine. In one embodiment, a thermal storage unit storing a thermal storage working medium is configured to discharge thermal energy into the working fluid of the bottom cycle heat engine to supplement power generation. In one embodiment, the thermal storage unit includes a cold tank containing the thermal storage working medium in a cold state and a hot tank containing the working medium in a heated state. At least one heat exchanger in flow communication with the bottom cycle heat engine and the thermal storage unit facilitates a direct heat transfer of thermal energy between the thermal storage working medium and the working fluid used in the bottom cycle heat engine.

Abstract: A system configured to thermally regulate exhaust portions of a power plant system (e.g. steam turbine) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: a condenser adapted to connect to and thermally regulate exhaust portions of a steam turbine; and a cooling system operably connected to the condenser and adapted to supply a cooling fluid to the condenser, the cooling system including a solar absorption chiller adapted to adjust a temperature of the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A steam turbine performance testing system, including at least one computer hardware device, including a neural network created using a dynamic steam turbine thermodynamic model and preliminary data collected from a steam turbine; a network tester for testing the neural network with testing data; a current performance calculator for calculating a current performance of the steam turbine from operation data of the steam turbine; and a projected performance calculator for calculating a projected performance of the steam turbine from the current performance.

Abstract: Thermal energy storage is leveraged to store thermal energy extracted from a bottom cycle heat engine. The thermal energy stored in the thermal energy storage is used to supplement power generation by the bottom cycle heat engine. In one embodiment, a thermal storage unit storing a thermal storage working medium is configured to discharge thermal energy into the working fluid of the bottom cycle heat engine to supplement power generation. In one embodiment, the thermal storage unit includes a cold tank containing the thermal storage working medium in a cold state and a hot tank containing the working medium in a heated state. At least one heat exchanger in flow communication with the bottom cycle heat engine and the thermal storage unit facilitates a direct heat transfer of thermal energy between the thermal storage working medium and the working fluid used in the bottom cycle heat engine.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include control systems for concentrated solar power systems (CSPS). In some embodiments, a system is disclosed including: at least one computing device configured to perform the following: identify a solar-obstructing object (SOO) within a field of detection; determine a likelihood of the SOO obstructing a predetermined portion of sunlight from a solar receptor; and provide instructions for modifying operation of a concentrated solar power system (CSPS) in response to determining the likelihood of the SOO obstructing the predetermined portion of sunlight from the solar receptor deviates from a predetermined threshold range.

Abstract: A steam turbine performance testing system, including at least one computer hardware device, including a neural network created using a dynamic steam turbine thermodynamic model and preliminary data collected from a steam turbine; a network tester for testing the neural network with testing data; a current performance calculator for calculating a current performance of the steam turbine from operation data of the steam turbine; and a projected performance calculator for calculating a projected performance of the steam turbine from the current performance.

Abstract: A system configured to thermally regulate exhaust portions of a power plant system (e.g. steam turbine) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: a condenser adapted to connect to and thermally regulate exhaust portions of a steam turbine; and a cooling system operably connected to the condenser and adapted to supply a cooling fluid to the condenser, the cooling system including a solar absorption chiller adapted to adjust a temperature of the cooling fluid.