Abstract: A greenhouse, for cold weather climates, is configured with a gable that is offset toward the north wall and therefore the south extension of the roof, from the gable to the south wall is longer than the north extension. A greater amount of light can enter through this south extension and the inside surface of the north wall is configured with a reflective surface to allow light to be more uniformly distributed around the plants. The north wall may no widows and may be thermally insulated to prevent the greenhouse from getting too cold during the night. A ground to air heat transfer (GAHT) system may be configured to produce a flow of greenhouse air under the greenhouse for heat transfer, to moderate the temperature of the greenhouse. A thermal medium may flow to a thermal reservoir for heat exchange with the conduits of the GAHT system.

Abstract: A dispatchable storage combined cycle power plant comprises a combustion turbine generator, a steam power system, a heat source other than the combustion turbine generator, and a thermal energy storage system. Heat from the heat source, from the thermal energy storage system, or from the heat source and the thermal energy storage system is used to generate steam in the steam power system. Heat from the combustion turbine may be used in series with or in parallel with the thermal energy storage system and/or the heat source to generate the steam, and additionally to super heat the steam.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and processes for collecting solar energy. According to particular embodiments, a solar collector device comprises a primary reflector, and a receiver assembly mounted on a frame structure. The receiver assembly comprises a heat transfer tube. The primary reflector comprises an elongated curved mirror mounted on a structural backing that is rotatably coupled to the frame structure such that the primary reflector may pivot around a pivot axis. The receiver assembly and/or the primary reflector may translate along the frame structure in a direction that is parallel to the pivot axis of the primary reflector. The one or more primary reflectors reflect light focused upon the receiver assembly such that heat energy from the reflected light is transferred to a heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer tube.

Abstract: A solar liquid-heating-and-cooling system (20) includes: 1. a hot-liquid storage-tank (22); 2. a hot-liquid manifold-tank (26); 3. a coaxial heating-and-cooling-tube (24) that connects downward from the hot-liquid storage-tank (22) to the hot-liquid manifold-tank (26); 4. a double layer heating-and-cooling collector-array-panel (32) located beneath the hot-liquid manifold-tank (26), the panel (32) including, connected to the hot-liquid manifold-tank (26): a. an upper layer of glazed heating-tubes (36); and b. a lower layer of unglazed cooling-tubes (56); 5. parabolic-trough mirror reflectors (64) that are located between the upper and lower layers of tubes (36, 56); 6. cold-liquid manifold-tank (92) located below the panel (32) connected to lower ends both of the glazed heating-tubes (36) and of the unglazed cooling-tubes (56); 7. a cold liquid storage tank (98); and 8.

Abstract: A solar energy system can be controlled during periods of reduced insolation. For example, one or more environmental condition sensors can detect environmental properties indicating current or expected insolation levels and can generate at least one signal indicating a current or impending transient reduced-insolation event. The at least one signal can be received (for example, by a controller) from the sensors that indicates changes in insolation. Responsively to the at least one signal, characteristics of a current reduced insolation event or of an impending transient reduced-insolation event can be calculated. In response to the calculated characteristics, a quantity of available insolation can be calculated. An attemperation flow rate in the solar steam system can be controlled responsively to the calculated quantity of available insolation such that the temperature of steam entering the steam turbines is maintained within a predefined range.

Abstract: A solar energy system comprising: solar collector having thermo-oil piping and three thermo-oil valves; three tanks each having steam inlet and outlet valves; an electric generator device downstream of the three tanks; and a controller, wherein a flow of thermo-oil is alternatively controllable to flow into each of the three tanks wherein fluid in the three tanks is alternatively heatable to a gaseous phase and providable to the electric generator device for producing electrical energy.

Abstract: A device for attaching to an electric power line conductor includes an electrically conductive housing having an opening for accepting the power line conductor and is configured to be grounded to the power line conductor. At least one magnetic core is configured to surround the power line conductor and power a power supply module. A laser triangulation distance measuring device is configured to be powered by the power supply module.

Abstract: A solar power system, comprising a solar receiver that absorbs solar radiation, at least first and second fluid flow paths passing through the receiver, a first working fluid flowable through the first fluid flow path to absorb thermal energy from the receiver up to a first maximum temperature and a second working fluid flowable through the second fluid path to absorb thermal energy from the receiver up to a second maximum temperature.

Abstract: A heliostat capable of collecting light with high efficiency and having reduced manufacturing and installation costs; and a method of controlling the heliostat. The heliostat includes a reflecting mirror configured to reflect sunlight; and a support mechanism configured to tiltably support the reflecting mirror. The support mechanism has a single supporting column and first and second cylinders. The reflecting mirror is supported at its back surface by a supporting column upper end of the supporting column, a first cylinder upper end of the first cylinder and a second cylinder upper end of the second cylinder in a tiltable manner, which are arranged to form a triangle on the back surface of the reflecting mirror. A gimbal bearing connects the supporting column upper end and the reflecting mirror, the gimbal bearing being configured to be tiltable in two axial directions intersecting with each other.

Abstract: A simple solar heating system incorporates a heat dissipater into a heat exchange circuit for bypassing solar collectors when either the temperature or the pressure in the heat exchange circuit exceeds preset limits. In the absence of electric controllers, fluid in the heat exchange circuit is caused to bypass the solar collectors using a valve which is controlled by either the temperature or pressure of the fluid. A solar photovoltaic panel energizes a circulating pump for increasing the rate of pumping as more solar energy is available at the PV panel and decreasing the rate as solar energy decreases.

Abstract: This invention absorbs available heat from the flue gas of an existing building's heating system and heat from the sun. The heat is absorbed and stored in a heat-collecting sphere of special design. The absorbed heat collected in the sphere is transferred, by the conventional refrigeration cycle, to the heat exchanger located at the air inlet to the building heating system. The refrigerant liquid is sprayed into the collecting sphere, as it absorbs heat, it evaporates and changes into a gas. The refrigerant compressor transfers the gas from the heat-collector to the heat exchanger. The existing heater fan draws air across the heat exchanger finned coil removing heat from the refrigerant. The refrigerant gas gives up heat and is condensed. The heated air combines with the existing furnace air to heat the existing building. The refrigerant liquid from the heat exchanger is transferred to the heat-collecting sphere spray nozzles.

Abstract: A solar collector having a radiation absorber (1) has a number of channels for conducting heat receiving liquid, said channels accommodating particles for capillary effect to lift the liquid to effectively sweep the sun-facing surface layer of the absorber. The solar collector is started after a prolonged operation standstill by driving a liquid pump (7) intermittently by a control unit (13) acting according to a clock-controlled program. In the intermittent start-up phase, first the pump (7) is driven for 2-4 minutes, thereafter it is shut down for a time span of about 20-60 seconds, and this is repeated two or three times before a continuous operation phase is started. Thereby air in the absorber (1) channels is expelled more rapidly.

Abstract: Compact solar energy collector that incorporates into the same housing the collector itself and an accumulator in the shape of a parallelepiped and divided by walls to better withstand water pressure, being then complemented with the remaining conventional elements such as pump, differential thermostat, purges and valves, the housing being fitted with a transparent cover (3) and a heat exchanger inside (13) that is connected to the pump (1) and to the collector (6) and at the other end to valve (11) and lip (10), the rest of the interior of the housing containing insulating material. The water pumping rate is controlled by supplying the pump (1) with electrical power generated by a photovoltaic panel (2) in proportion to the intensity of available sunlight.