Abstract: Dry cooling systems and methods are provided including at least one plastic elongated tube formed at least partially of a semi-rigid material and having a flat wall portion, a reflective material attached to said flat wall portion of the tube to reflect solar radiation, and at least one fluid channel in thermal communication with the reflective material, the fluid channel adapted to allow flow of a heat transfer fluid. Thermal power plants are provided which include a dry cooling system, one or more pipes in fluid communication with the dry cooling system, and at least one heat exchanger in fluid communication with the one or more pipes.

Abstract: Thermal energy storage systems and methods are provided including a bed, a blend of aggregates packed in the bed, and a high-density heat transfer fluid flowing through the blend of aggregates. The blend of aggregates includes rock materials and may also include non-rock materials. The heat transfer fluid flows through the blend of aggregates such that heat is transferred between the heat transfer fluid and the blend of aggregates. The porosity of the aggregates increases heat transfer and the high density of the heat transfer fluid reduces the pressure gradient of the heat transfer fluid. In exemplary embodiments, the heat transfer fluid is a liquid comprised of carbon-based molecules. Methods of safely storing and releasing energy are provided in which axial thermal conductivity of the bed is minimized and inadvertent pressure release failures are mitigated.