Abstract: A concentrating solar power collector plant is provided in which a pressurized solar power receiver with an associated gas turbine and a low-pressure solar power receiver are used together with a common thermal energy storage system. Exhaust from the gas turbine is connected to the thermal energy storage system to deliver residual heat to the thermal energy storage system in addition to that received from the low-pressure solar power receiver. The pressurized solar power receiver may be a separate unit from the low-pressure receiver and at least some heliostats are controlled to redirect reflected solar energy from one solar power receiver to the other. The pressurized solar power receiver may alternatively be combined with the low-pressure receiver in a single unit having a heat receiving part of a high-pressure receiver and a flow passage for heating air between an inlet and an outlet to form the low pressure receiver.

Abstract: A concentrating solar power collector plant is provided in which a pressurized solar power receiver with an associated gas turbine and a low-pressure solar power receiver are used together with a common thermal energy storage system. Exhaust from the gas turbine is connected to the thermal energy storage system to deliver residual heat to the thermal energy storage system in addition to that received from the low-pressure solar power receiver. The pressurized solar power receiver may be a separate unit from the low-pressure receiver and at least some heliostats are controlled to redirect reflected solar energy from one solar power receiver to the other. The pressurized solar power receiver may alternatively be combined with the low-pressure receiver in a single unit having a heat receiving part of a high-pressure receiver and a flow passage for heating air between an inlet and an outlet to form the low pressure receiver.