Abstract: A solar thermal power plant is provided. The solar thermal power plant includes a thermal-electric power plant and a solar collection system in communication therewith to provide heat thereto for driving its operation and being designed to facilitate capture of thermal energy of incident solar radiation by a thermal transfer fluid flowing therethrough for providing the heat. The solar collection system includes one or more solar collectors configured for the capture. The solar collection system further includes at least one dual-purpose pipe configured for carrying heated thermal transfer fluid to the thermal-electric power plant, the dual-purpose pipe including a supply chamber for carrying the thermal transfer fluid therethrough, and at least one storage element in thermal communication with and in fluid isolation from the supply chamber, and being configured for storing thermal energy for providing heat for driving operation of the thermal-electric power plant.