Hybrid Solar Thermal Power Plants

Hybrid solar thermal power plants are extremely efficient plants that can operate regardless of the time of day or weather, and produce the required power output. When there is no sun, the plant will use natural gas or clean bio-fuels instead. A hybrid plant will typically consist of the following: a solar tower (a large insulated tower with air), heliostats (devices that concentrate solar power and follow the sun using tracking sensors and drive motors), as well as a solar energy receiver.

Here is how the plant operates

Solar power is first concentrated by the heliostat (up to 1000 times), and then absorbed in the solar energy receivers mounted on the tower. The solar receiver’s surface starts to emit hot air into the tower (towers have a porous surface for the air to pass through). Hot air is drawn through the tower by a fan, until it reaches the thermal cycle engine. When it does, the engine begins to convert the air into mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is then converted into electric by an electric generator. » Read more: An Explanation of Solar Energy Receivers