Patent ID: 9541071
Date: 2017-01-10
CPC Classifications: F03G,Y02E

Claim:
1. A system for generating electricity using insolation, comprising: a solar collection system constructed to convert solar insolation to thermal energy and transfer the thermal energy to water or water vapor conveyed therethrough to generate superheated steam; a thermal energy storage system including at least first and second thermal storage reservoirs configured to store a thermal energy storage fluid comprising at least one of a molten salt and a molten metal and to transfer therefrom enthalpy to water or steam from a supply thereof; an electricity generating system including a turbine configured to generate electricity using steam conveyed thereto; a heat exchanger connected to the solar collection system, the thermal energy storage system, and the electricity generating system, the heat exchanger being configured such that enthalpy can be selectively transferred: a gas-fired steam superheater; and a control system configured to control the solar collection, the thermal energy storage, and the electricity generating systems and the heat exchanger such that: wherein said first and second operating periods are characterized by at least one of an insolation level, a time of day, or a stage in an operation process.