Abstract:
We present an improved system for solar energy collection and electricity generation, comprising a solar collector apparatus, said apparatus comprising an array of square Fresnel lenses arranged in rows with modular energy absorption devices located below, wherein the array is mounted on arms at a low height above ground, the rows of said array are rotatable horizontally about their lengthwise axis, and the array is mounted on a rotatable base 
     The system further comprises transportable insulated storage tanks containing a storage medium, Stirling engines and generators. The solar collection apparatus heats the storage medium, the storage medium supplies the Stirling engines with heat, and each engine is coupled to a generator. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the system additionally comprises embedded controllers using real-time algorithms providing smart on-the-fly management of the system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 61/619,041, filed on Jul. 6, 2012 and titled, “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION BY MEANS OF SOLAR THERMAL TRANSFORMATION” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0002]    This application claims U.S. Non-Provisional Application, Ser. No. 13/542,814, filed on Apr. 2, 2012 and titled, “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION BY MEANS OF SOLAR THERMAL TRANSFORMATION” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to the production of electrical energy from solar thermal energy. In particular, it relates to the collection and storage of solar thermal energy, and the subsequent production of electrical energy therefrom. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Many systems related to thermally converting solar energy to more useful types of energy have been proposed. For example, International Patent Publication WO 81/03220 discloses such a complete system particularly directed to home use, including a Stirling engine coupled to a generator for electricity production. That system has, however, considerable disadvantages, i.a. the use of hot air and rocks as a heat conducting and storage medium, which is somewhat impractical and quite inefficient, as well as the use of a somewhat complex and inefficient system of solar collectors configured to be mounted on the roof of a house. Such a system would prove inefficient and impractical for the purpose of larger- scale power generation. 
         [0005]    Typically, systems suitable for larger-scale power generation employ more advanced solar collectors using some type of parabolic reflector, as is e.g. disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,578. However, the dish-type reflector shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,578 is highly susceptible to wind influence since it is mounted high above the ground, difficult to keep clean and thus operate efficiently, and additionally expensive to produce. The high wind susceptibility means that the system cannot operate at greater wind strengths, since the collector must then be aligned horizontally to avoid damage. The heat absorption and transport method employed by this system is moreover quite complicated, using two different fluids, state changes of these fluids, heat exchangers etc., thus making the system expensive to produce and maintain. However, U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,578 features a detailed discussion of the suitability of various fluids as heat conducting and storage medium, showing that e.g. molten salt has a high potential for use as such a fluid. 
         [0006]    More modern systems, such as that disclosed in U.S. patent application 2006/0225729 A1, attempt to avoid the high wind susceptibility of dish-type solar collectors by the use of smaller trough-type collectors that typically have a pipe or the like at the line of focus of the trough, through which the heat conducting and storage fluid can flow. Such devices can be mounted much closer to the ground. However, they also have significant disadvantages. The troughs tend to act as dirt collectors, greatly reducing their efficiency, unless they are covered by some kind of transparent covering that also reduces their efficiency. Moreover, due to their linear layout, such systems can only track the sun around one axis, reducing their general efficiency. 
         [0007]    Some of the disadvantages associated with the use of parabolic reflectors (whether of dish- or trough-type) as solar collectors can be overcome by the use of Fresnel lenses instead, as is e.g. disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,982 B1. However, the power requirements of the Stirling engine disclosed therein lead to the use of very large Fresnel lenses of e.g. 20 m diameter. Such large Fresnel lenses are nevertheless quite heavy and expensive and must be mounted high above the ground due to their substantial focal length, once again resulting in a high susceptibility to wind influence. 
         [0008]    Moreover, the power transfer from the Fresnel lenses to the Stirling engine by means of light guiding fibers, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,982 B1, requires considerable further refinement, since directly heating a Stirling engine by means of light guiding fibers will destroy the engine due to the high temperatures achieved (approximately 2000° C. while typical operating temperatures of Stirling engines are 700-1000° C.). 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved solar collector apparatus. This apparatus comprises an array of Fresnel lenses arranged in rows, the Fresnel lenses having a focal length, and energy absorption devices located below each of the Fresnel lenses at a distance substantially corresponding to their focal length, wherein the array is mounted on arms at a height above ground substantially corresponding to the focal length of the Fresnel lenses, wherein the rows of said array of Fresnel lenses are configured such that they are rotatable about a lengthwise horizontal axis of said rows, wherein means are provided for rotating the rows of Fresnel lenses about their lengthwise axis, and wherein the array of Fresnel lenses is rotatable about a vertical axis. Thus, the collector apparatus can be mounted low above the ground, since it comprises multiple smaller Fresnel lenses that can have relatively short focal lengths. The configuration achieved enables effective two-axis sun tracking. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the Fresnel lenses are substantially square shaped, which enables them to be arranged more efficiently and lowers production costs. 
         [0011]    In a further embodiment, each row of Fresnel lenses has an automatic wipe-cleaning system. Thus, they can be kept clean, ensuring continued operation of the solar collector apparatus at high efficiency. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the array of Fresnel lenses is mounted on a base rotatable about a vertical axis, the rotatable base forming an insulated lid of a storage tank for a heat conduction and storage fluid. Thus, the distance between the heat conduction and storage fluid and the means for heating the fluid is minimized. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment, each energy absorption device comprises a heat conductor, a transparent plate mounted above the heat conductor, and an insulated casing surrounding the heat conductor where it is not covered by the transparent plate, wherein both the heat conductor and the transparent plate have the shape of a segment of a circle having a center located above the transparent plate, wherein the heat conductor extends into a heat conduction and storage fluid through an opening in the insulated casing, a part of the heat conductor submerged in the heat conduction and storage fluid being substantially gill-shaped. 
         [0014]    In another preferred embodiment, each energy absorption device comprises a light guiding fiber (or alternatively a bundle of light guiding fibers) having an end, means for adjusting the position of the end of the light guiding fiber, and a casing surrounding the light guiding fiber and the means for adjusting the position of its end, wherein the upper side of the casing is formed by a transparent plate having the shape of a segment of a circle having a center located above the transparent plate, wherein the light guiding fiber extends to a heat conduction and storage medium through an opening in the casing. A diverging lens may be mounted adjacent to the end of the light guiding fiber to adjust the acceptance angle. Thus, modular energy absorption devices are provided, which can absorb heat from the focus of the Fresnel lenses and transfer this heat to the heat conduction and storage medium. 
         [0015]    In further embodiments, each energy absorption device additionally comprises an automatic wipe-cleaning system for the transparent plate. Thus, they can be kept clean, ensuring continued operation of the solar collector apparatus at high efficiency. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the means for rotating the rows of Fresnel lenses about their lengthwise axis are linked to the means for adjusting the position of the end of the light guiding fiber in those energy absorption devices comprising such a fiber. Thus, the solar tracking of the rows of Fresnel lenses is linked to the positioning of the light guiding fibers, ensuring that they always remain in the focal region of the corresponding Fresnel lenses. 
         [0017]    In a second aspect, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved system for solar energy collection and electricity production. This system comprises a solar collector apparatus as provided above, a thermal storage system having a thermal energy conduction and storage medium, at least one means of transforming thermal energy into electric energy, means connecting the solar collector apparatus with the thermal storage system, means connecting the thermal storage system with the at least one means for transforming thermal energy into electrical energy, wherein the solar collection apparatus heats the thermal energy conduction and storage medium via the corresponding means, and wherein the thermal energy conduction and storage medium supplies the at least one means for transforming thermal energy into electrical energy with thermal energy via the corresponding means. Thus, a complete and efficient system for producing electrical energy from solar thermal energy is provided. The system can directly convert thermal energy to electrical energy using e.g. thermoelectric generators (based on the Seebeck effect). 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, the means for transforming thermal energy into electrical energy comprise a heat engine employing a thermodynamic cycle coupled to a means for generating electrical energy from mechanical energy. 
         [0019]    In a particularly preferred embodiment, the heat engine is a Stirling engine. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the thermal storage system has at least one insulated storage tank containing the heat conduction and storage medium, said medium being a solid. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, the heat conduction and storage medium is a fluid, and the thermal storage system has at least one insulated storage tank containing said fluid. 
         [0022]    In a preferred embodiment, the heat conduction and storage solid is graphite, while in another preferred embodiment, the heat conduction and storage fluid is molten salt. Both graphite and molten salt have proven to be very effective heat conduction and storage media in the temperature range generally achieved by solar thermal systems. 
         [0023]    In further embodiments, the system for solar energy collection and electricity production comprises means for exchanging said at least one insulated storage tank, wherein the insulated storage tank is configured to be transportable. 
         [0024]    In a further embodiment, the means connecting the solar collector apparatus with the thermal storage system are configured such that the at least one insulated storage tank is heated from below. 
         [0025]    In a further embodiment, the means connecting the thermal storage system with the at least one heat engine are configured such that heat is transferred from the top of the at least one insulated storage tank to the at least one heat engine. Thereby, efficient heat transfer is ensured within the insulated storage tank, using conduction in solid storage media and convection in fluid storage media. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, the system for solar energy collection and electricity production additionally comprises embedded controllers using real-time algorithms, said algorithms being able to consider weather forecast data. Thus, smart and automatic, on-the-fly management of the system is provided, and weather forecasts can be considered. 
         [0027]    This aim is achieved by the inventions as claimed in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. 
         [0028]    Even if no multiple back-referenced claims are drawn, all reasonable combinations of the features in the claims shall be disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained from a reading of the specification and appended claims in conjunction with the drawings therein. 
           [0030]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is established to the following description made in connection with accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  compares a Fresnel lens to a conventional lens; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a typical example of an industrial application; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates how an array of Fresnel lenses replaces a single one; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  shows an array of Fresnel lenses replacing a single one; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of the horizontal and vertical axis sun tracking; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of the vertical axis sun tracking; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of an insulated capturing socket with embedded heat conductor; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  shows a top view of an insulated capturing socket with embedded heat conductor; 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  shows an insulated capturing socket with a light guiding fiber in the lower position; 
           [0040]      FIG. 10  shows an insulated capturing socket with a light guiding fiber in the upper position; 
           [0041]      FIG. 11  shows a front view of two insulated capturing sockets with light guiding fibers; 
           [0042]      FIG. 12  shows the conductor gills for conductive heating of the molten salt; 
           [0043]      FIG. 13  shows a side view of a storage tank; 
           [0044]      FIG. 14  shows a side view of the layout of a transportable storage tank; 
           [0045]      FIG. 15  shows a top view of a large IRB with two embedded transportable storage tanks; 
           [0046]      FIG. 16  shows a timed Kripke-structure; 
           [0047]      FIG. 17  shows basic JCTL operators; and 
           [0048]      FIG. 18  shows a star topology interconnection of storage tanks. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Technical Solutions 
       [0049]    Ground Placement of the Heat Engine 
         [0050]    Systems using parabolic reflectors have a focal point F, where the Stirling engine is placed, situated high above the ground, resulting in many serious disadvantages: 
         [0051]    a. Susceptibility to wind forces requires the systems to interrupt their operation at high wind speeds and move into a horizontal position until wind speed decreases. 
         [0052]    b. The systems can not benefit from storage of thermal energy. 
         [0053]    c. Expensive heavy-duty construction is required. 
         [0054]    d. A high amount of smaller, lighter Stirling engines is required, which significantly increases the overall and maintenance cost. 
         [0055]    e. Further high maintenance costs (e.g. cleaning) are incurred. 
         [0056]    In order to keep a heat engine close to the ground, the point F must be lowered, which can be achieved using optical lenses instead of parabolic reflectors. 
         [0057]    Designing a Solar Heat Producing System Using Optical Lenses 
         [0058]    a. Low weight
       Some of the largest Stirling engines commercially produced deliver approximately 40 kW. The Earth receives 1.413-1.321 W/m 2  of solar irradiation (1 W/m 2  assumed for simplicity). At a typical 30% efficiency, such an engine needs approx. 133 kW of solar irradiation, requiring a lens area of 133 m 2 , i.e. a diameter of approximately 13 m. Both the weight and the cost of such a lens would be immense.   To overcome both problems at once, we use Fresnel lenses  10  instead of regular optical lenses  20  ( FIG. 1 ). Fresnel lenses feature large apertures and short focal lengths without the mass and volume required by lenses of conventional design. Fresnel lenses available commercially at low cost are often made of PVC in a quadratic shape.       
 
         [0061]    b. Placement low above the ground
       Covering an area of 133 m 2  would require a Fresnel lens with a size of approx. 11.5 m×11.5 m. Even made of PVC, such a lens would still have a significant weight and cost.   Furthermore, the focal length f of such a large lens requires an installation at a significant height above the ground.  FIG. 2  shows a typical example 50 of an industrial application, which is very susceptible to wind forces.   To solve this problem, we introduce a system comprising an array (or matrix) of Fresnel lenses instead of a single one, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The array of smaller Fresnel lenses  110  covers the same total area as the single large one  100 , but the focal length f m  of a smaller lens  110  in the array is significantly shorter than the focal length f n  of the single lens  100 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Thus, the array allows us to install the solar capturing system very low above the ground.       
 
         [0065]    c. Supplying large Stirling engines at low cost
       We consider large Stirling engines in order to minimize installation and maintenance costs. As an example, we consider an area of 144 m 2  supplying a Stirling engine with 144 kW of heat. An engine with a typical 30% efficiency would deliver approximately 43.2 kW of power. We implement a 12 m×12 m solar capturing array (SCA), consisting of 144 single Fresnel lenses with a size of only 1 m×1 m=1 m 2  each. Such Fresnel lenses are widely commercially produced, meaning that the total cost of such an array can be kept very low.       
 
         [0067]    d. Cleaning and maintenance
       Due to their shapes (dishes or troughs), most collector systems also act as collectors for dust and dirt. A dirty reflector surface significantly reduces the performance of the system, requiring frequent interruptions for cleaning and maintenance. Due to its flat surfaces, on the other hand, our system is very easy to clean. This can be performed by an automatic cleaning system, which features a wiper on each single row of lenses of the array.       
 
         [0069]    Performing Two-Axis Sun-Tracking 
         [0070]    In order to perform sun tracking at the horizontal axis, we introduce a rotatable base  170 , on which the solar capturing array (SCA)  150  is mounted. The entire system is placed on circular rails  180  allowing its rotation (see  FIG. 5 ). Four or more arms  160  keep the SCA at a height of f m  above the level of the rails ( FIG. 6 ). 
         [0071]    In order to perform sun tracking at the vertical axis, we divide the SCA into rows of lenses, separating all rows from each other and putting them into their own separate frames. Each frame features a central longitudinal axis  210  and is mounted separately on a main external frame  200 , which is installed on arms  160 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . A vertical movement is then allowed for each row by means of its central axis  210 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0072]    Minimizing the Area Required to Avoid Shading 
         [0073]    In our approach the area required to keep the solar collectors from shading each other is minimized. The solar capturing array rotates entire rows of Fresnel lenses in the x-axis (horizontal). Hence, it allows the absence of any distance between the single Fresnel lenses of each row. 
         [0074]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , only a distance δ between the rows is required and must be chosen correctly, in order to allow the shadow-free operation of the system, as the rows perform their vertical movement (in the y-axis). 
         [0075]    Capturing of Focused Solar Energy 
         [0076]    In order to prevent energy loss, the rotatable base must have very good thermal insulation. The solar energy delivered by the SCA can be captured in two different ways. 
         [0077]    a. Capturing of focused solar energy by means of heat conductors
       For this purpose, the IRB features modular insulated capturing sockets (ICSs) underneath each Fresnel lens of the SCA, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 .   Each of the insulated capturing sockets (ICSs)  270  contains a heat conductor  280  that captures the focused solar energy delivered by the Fresnel lens  10  placed above it.   The heat conductors have the shape of segmental arches on their upper sides, in order to maintain the lenses of the SCA continuously focused during sun tracking.   Each ICS features also a curved transparent plate  260  mounted above the heat conductor, which guarantees its thermal insulation on the upper side and simultaneously avoids dirt entrance. The transparent plates also have the shape of segmental arches like the heat conductors, in order to maintain equal light refraction at different vertical angles of the Fresnel lenses.   Furthermore, each ICS features an automatic wipe-cleaning system for its curved transparent plate       
 
         [0083]    b. Capturing of focused solar energy by means of light guiding fibers
       For this purpose, special insulated capturing sockets (ICSs), as shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11 , are employed.   The IRB features a thermally insulated bottom  340  and forms a sealed insulated box, which encloses all necessary parts of the system, in order to prevent energy losses, but also to protect from dirt.   Each ICS  270  is mounted on the top of the IRB  335  and encloses the fiber tracking box, one end of a light guiding fiber  325 , a fiber guiding wheel  345  and a curved transparent plate  260  for thermal insulation and dirt protection.   The horizontal tracking is performed by the rotating movement of the IRB.   The drive for the vertical tracking is enclosed in the vertical tracking drive box  360 . There, the motor  355  drives the transmission chains  350  in order to perform a simultaneous tracking for the Fresnel lenses  10  and for the light guiding fibers  325 .   The fiber tracking box encloses the vertical tracking gearwheel  300 , the fiber tracking gearwheel  310 , the guide chain  315  and the fiber guiding socket  320 . The fiber guiding socket  320  surrounds the light guiding fiber  325  and performs a circular motion, which enables the tracking of the focus. For this purpose, the fiber tracking box features slide grooves  330  as guides for the circular motion of the fiber guiding socket  320 . The fiber guiding socket  320  features appropriate slide wings that slide along the slide grooves  330 . The fiber guiding socket  320  has at its lower end the shape of a horn, in order to enable a smooth guidance of the light guiding fiber  325  and prevent its sharp edging or folding. The drive for the circular motion of the fiber guiding socket  320  is performed by a guide chain  315 .   In order to remain on track, the diameter of the vertical tracking gearwheels  300  must have the correct ratio to the diameter of the gearwheel  305  for the row of lenses. According to this ratio, the fiber guiding socket  320  moves with the correct angular velocity, in order to follow the rotation of the Fresnel lens  10  above it.   A major advantage of the ICSs is their good insulation from the environment. Each ICS operates as a sealed box, avoiding thermal losses and dirt entrance. There is no contact between the Fresnel lenses  10  and the light guiding fibers  325 . The drive for the tracking of all foci of an entire row of Fresnel lenses is performed by means of a single vertical tracking axis  210  only.   Each light guiding fiber  325  is passed between the top and the bottom of the IRB over a fiber guiding wheel  345 , which prevents sharp edging or folding. Furthermore, each ICS  270  features an automatic wipe-cleaning system for its curved transparent plate  260 .       
 
         [0093]    Thermal Storage System 
         [0094]    The IRB is capable of transferring all energy delivered by the SCA to a thermal storage system. Such a system allows operation of a solar thermal plant also in bad weather or at night. One of the most established methods for retaining collected thermal energy is the storage in molten salt. Alternatively, a solid medium, e.g. graphite, can be used. Both materials can be kept in storage tanks, which are so well insulated that the thermal energy can be usefully stored for up to two months. 
         [0095]    The system presented here can preferably use molten salt or graphite to transfer heat and supply a heat engine, while simultaneously benefitting from an embedded thermal storage system. The main idea is not to heat a thermodynamic engine directly, but to first heat a storage medium, which supplies the heat engines with energy. The storage medium can be heated by conduction or by means of light guiding fibers. 
         [0096]    a. Heating molten salt by conduction
       In order to minimize moving parts for the energy transfer, we place a main thermal storage tank directly underneath the insulated rotatable base (IRB). In order to prevent energy loss, the IRB must have very good thermal insulation. The main storage tank can also be placed into the ground.   The IRB here forms a sealed (but rotating) cover of the thermal storage tank. Each lower end of an ICS-heat conductor features gills  410 , which are immersed into the salt  400 , as shown in  FIG. 12 .       
 
         [0099]    b. Heating molten salt or graphite by means of light guiding fibers
       In this case, the IRB features a thermally insulated bottom (shown in  FIGS. 9 to 11 ) and does not form the cover of the storage tank, which is separately sealed. The light guiding fibers can guide the energy to several storage tanks.   A storage tank can feature short light guiding fibers embedded in its bottom, and thus can guide heat to the storage medium from below, as shown in  FIG. 13 . The embedded light guiding fibers are coupled to longer ones that lead the solar energy from the IRB and forward the energy into the storage tank.   Considering molten salt as storage medium, the storage tank design takes advantage of convection principles and thus allows the heating of molten salt, and also the operation of heat engines, without the use of a pump. The design is shown in  FIG. 13 . We lead the solar energy underneath the storage tank by means of light guiding fibers  325  and heat the molten salt  400  from these lowest points, causing movement of the fluid due to convection. The heated molten salt flows to the top of the storage tank, leaving molten salt with a lower temperature at the bottom. The colder molten salt is thus heated by the light guiding fibers. The movement continues until the lower, colder side reaches similar temperatures to those of the upper, hotter side.   Stirling engines  450  can be mounted  430  on top of the storage tank. They absorb great amounts of heat for their operation, causing a substantial cooling of the molten salt. Hence, we obtain colder molten salt above the bulk of the storage tank, which results in a further movement of the hotter fluid towards the Stirling engines. The cooled molten salt flows to the bottom of the storage tank.   Considering graphite as storage medium, the storage tank design takes advantage of conduction principles and thus allows the heating of graphite, and also the operation of heat engines, without the use of mechanical parts.   Stirling engines  450  can also be mounted  430  on top of the storage tank. They absorb great amounts of heat for their operation, causing a substantial cooling of the upper graphite side, hence causing a heat transfer from the hotter lower side to the colder upper side.       
 
         [0106]    Transferring Solar Energy Without an Electricity Network 
         [0107]    In most cases, thermal energy can be usefully stored in insulated tanks for up to two months. Therefore, the apparatus presented in this invention also features a mounting system which enables the connecting and disconnecting of the above presented storage tanks. Hence, it also enables the transfer of entire storage tanks to a desired location, where they can be used for electricity production, e.g. by means of Stirling engines, turbines or the like. The electricity production thus need not occur in the same location as the solar energy collection. 
         [0108]    Consider  FIG. 14 : The connecting and disconnecting part of the system consists of a structure  470 , under which one or more storage tanks can be placed in order to be connected to Stirling engines  450  and to light guiding fibers. The structure features a ceiling, on which Stirling engines  450  are mounted. The light guiding fibers lead to the bottom of the structure  470 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . There, they are coupled to short light guiding fibers  325  embedded into the bottom of the storage tanks (see  FIG. 14 ) to guide the solar energy into the storage tank. One side of the structure features an opening mechanism to allow the entrance or exit of one or more storage tanks. 
         [0109]    Graphite blocks, but also established molten salts such as FLiNaK or FLiBe might require very large solar capturing arrays, in order to cope with their high heat storage capacities. 
         [0110]    In such a case, it is preferred to consider embedding one or more transportable storage tanks  480  in a large IRB  170 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . For this purpose, the IRB is placed on multiple circular rails  180  and features several arms  160  in order to achieve a better static behavior. The energy is transferred directly underneath the storage tanks  480  by means of light guiding fibers. The storage tanks  480  follow the rotation of the IRB  170 . For this purpose they move on their own circular rails  490 . The design allows mounting and unmounting of transportable storage tanks. 
         [0111]    Extending Annual Operation of Solar Thermal Power Plants 
         [0112]    This chapter refers to solar power plants with non-transportable heat storage tanks, thus having limited storage capabilities. 
         [0113]    a. Very low material expenses
       A solar energy system without any storage tanks is only able to operate if it receives enough solar irradiation. For such a system, we have   Annual Operation Hours≦Annual Sunshine Hours   For longer operating hours, we must therefore equip the system with energy capturing capabilities that exceed its maximum energy consumption, and capabilities for storing superfluous captured energy.   Thus, operating a system with storage tanks requires a significant increase of the solar energy capturing surface. On the other hand, this increase strongly depends on the annual solar irradiation hours at the location of the system.   Compared to a system without storage capabilities, the additional investment in a solar power plant featuring thermal storage involves
           i. a significantly increased amount of solar energy capturing devices, in order to cover the required additional capturing surface;   ii. heat storage tanks with enough capacity for the superfluous captured energy; and   iii. additional land.   
           The system presented in this invention merely requires additional Fresnel lenses and their frames, insulated capturing sockets (ICSs), and heat conductors or light guiding fibers, in order to increase its solar energy capturing surface. All of these parts consist of commonly used materials and can be purchased or manufactured at very low cost.       
 
         [0123]    b. Smart management of storage tanks
       Investments in energy storage systems are basically focusing on two main targets:
           ii. In periods of good weather and daylight, store as much energy as possible, while simultaneously operating the system at maximum capacity.   iii. In periods of bad weather or darkness, enable as much operation as possible.   
           However, if we consider power plants with non- transportable storage tanks, their capacity is limited and can usually handle a fixed amount of energy. Moreover, it is very difficult in practice to store heat during the summer months in order to use it in the winter. In most cases, thermal energy can only be usefully stored for up to two months. Thus, capacity problems would occur:
           iv. In long periods of good weather, a continued storage of captured energy would most likely exceed the capacity of the storage tanks.   v. In long periods of bad weather, the captured energy would not be sufficient, for example to keep molten salt liquid. This could destroy the plant.   
           Consequently, known applications only feature very limited heat storage capabilities that cover up to a few hours of extended operation.   In order to overcome these problems, the system presented in this invention features
           i. a set of simultaneously operating heat engines,   ii. a set of interconnected storage tanks, and   iii. embedded controllers that feature real-time algorithms, performing smart management of the system on-the-fly.   
           The invention consumes the total captured solar energy for electricity production and allows nearly non-stop operation of at least a subset of its heat engines.   Two practical limitations must be confronted:
           i. The capacity of storage tanks is limited.   ii. Thermal energy can only be stored for up to two months.   
           One or more embedded controllers featuring real-time algorithms supervise the system and all its parameters and perform on-the-fly smart management of the energy amounts. A main advantage of these real-time controllers is their ability to consider weather forecasts.   The controllers feature real-time formal methods, in order to obtain mathematical proof of the fulfillment of the requirements of the system. This is performed in 3 steps.   In the first step, the controller models the entire solar thermal plant P as a real-time system:       
 
         [0000]      P:={E,           S, C, θ, W},
       where   E is a set of heat engines              is a set of interconnected storage tanks              is a set of solar capturing matrices   S is the total capturing surface of the plant   C is the total storage capacity of the plant   θ is the temperature of the storage medium   W is a set of evaluable weather forecast parameters   In the second step, the controller transforms the model into a timed Kripke-structure (see Logothetis, G.: “Specification, Modelling, Verification and Runtime Analysis of Real Time Systems”, chapter 3.1). An example of a timed Kripke-structure is shown in  FIG. 16 .   The main characteristics of a timed Kripke-structure are as follows:
           i. It is a discrete time model.   ii. It has a finite number of states.   iii. Its paths are infinite and represent the system&#39;s behavior.   iv. Each transition consumes one or more units of time.   v. The choice of transition is non-deterministic.   vi. Formulae represent the system&#39;s properties at any given state.   vii. Labeled edges represent timed actions.   
           Examples for formulae:
           p:=temperature of 5th auxiliary storage tank is 532.5° C.   q:=27% brollability according to weather forecasts   
           Examples for transitions:
           i. brollability will change from 23% to 31% within 55 hours, according to weather forecasts   ii. 2nd auxiliary storage tank will reach its maximum heat capacity after 17 hours   
           Timed Kripke structures representing real-time systems often have more than 10 200  states.   In the third step, the controller applies JCTL algorithms. JCTL (see Logothetis, G.: “Specification, Modelling, Verification and Runtime Analysis of Real Time Systems”, chapter 3.2) is a branching-time temporal logic which considers real-time systems modeled as timed Kripke-structures (see  FIG. 17 ). JCTL has the following properties:
           i. JCTL uses modal operators, path quantors and time-constraints.   ii. JCTL formulae exactly describe the specifications of a system.   iii. JCTL algorithms explore the entire state space to verify JCTL formulae.   
           Thus, we proceed as follows:
           i. The controller uses JCTL formulae to describe the required specifications of a system in order to ensure non-stop operation.   ii. Then, JCTL algorithms are applied, in order to explore the entire state space to obtain mathematical proof for the existence of paths that satisfy the required specifications.   iii. Once found, the controller traces at least one of these paths.   iv. The system follows the actions of the traced path.   v. If no such path exists, the controller automatically considers the next less tight constraint and starts examining it, and so on.   
           Example: Verify the existence of paths, such that the temperature of the 2nd, 5th and 7th storage tanks will stay above 617.3° C. for at least 48 hours.       
 
         [0177]    Implementing Power Plants 
         [0178]    This chapter refers to solar power plants with non-transportable heat storage tanks, thus having limited storage capabilities. 
         [0179]    a. Definitions
       The consuming surface S cons  is the minimum solar capturing surface required by one heat engine of the plant in order to operate at maximum power.   Focusing on non-stop operation, we consider the required increase of the capturing surface. This increase strongly depends on the annual hours of solar irradiation at the location of the plant.   The storing surface S stor  is the minimum solar capturing surface required for collecting within a period of one year an amount of energy that would enable the true non-stop operation of one heat engine for one year at its specific location.   The increase factor φ inc  is the ratio S stor /S cons , indicating the surface increase required for true non-stop operation according to the solar irradiation at the location of the plant.   For example, in a location with an average of 2,200 hours of solar irradiation, non-stop operation would require increasing S cons  by a factor of φ inc ≅4 (8,760/2,200), i.e. S stor ≅4·S cons .   The surface multiplier λε{xε         x≧1Λ(┌φ inc ┐·x)ε         } determines optimized sizes of the capturing surface related to the number of heat engines.   The non-stop surface-requirement S nst :=λ·S stor ·(┌φ inc ┐/φ inc ) is the minimum capturing surface required in order to achieve true non-stop operation of at least λ heat engines.   The non-stop engine requirement ε nst :=λ·┌φ inc ┐ is the minimum number of heat engines required in order to achieve nearly non-stop operation of at least λ of them.       
 
         [0188]    b. Example
       We consider a system, comprising
           iii. a set of ε nst  heat engines,   iv. a set of ε nst /λ solar capturing arrays (SCAs), each with a surface of (λ·S nst )/ε nst ,   v. a set of ε nst /λ IRBs, each carrying A heat engines   vi. a main storage tank (heat engines mounted above it are main engines),   vii. a set of auxiliary storage tanks (heat engines mounted above them are auxiliary engines), and   viii. one or more embedded real-time controllers.   
             FIG. 18  shows a very simplified implementation of the above, where λ=1 and ε nst =4: One main and three auxiliary storage tanks are used.
           i. The main storage tank  500  is kept as small as possible in order to maintain the optimal operating temperature, but also to achieve quick heating of the tank contents after a long period of bad weather. The auxiliary storage tanks  510  are all directly connected to the main tank in a star topology.   ii. Each heat engine is supplied with energy from the storage tank underneath the IRB it is mounted above.   iii. All solar capturing arrays (SCAs) send their energy directly to the main storage tank.   iv. A total surface of S nst  supplies the main storage tank with energy. This capturing surface would allow a true non-stop operation of A heat engines.   v. In long periods of good weather, the main heat engines cannot convert all the captured heat into electricity. When the capacity of the main storage tank is exceeded, the controllers decide as follows:
               If the temperature of at least one auxiliary tank is suitable for the operation of its heat engines, then, depending on the weather forecast,
                   allow operation of some auxiliary heat engines; or   allow heat exchange from the main storage tank to some auxiliary tanks, in order to store the entire energy; or   allow both of the above;   
                   else (none of the auxiliary tanks has sufficient temperature for operation of its heat engines), depending on the weather forecast,
                   allow heat exchange from the main storage tank to one auxiliary tank only, in order to increase its temperature; or   allow heat exchange from the main storage tank to more than one auxiliary tank.   
                   
               ix. If the capacity of one or more auxiliary tanks is also reached, the controllers decide according to the weather forecast in an analogous way, as for the main storage tank.   x. If the capacity of all storage tanks is reached, the controllers allow the operation of all heat engines. Thus, loss of captured solar energy is avoided. In particular, if S plant  is the total capturing surface of the entire plant, we have   
               
 
         [0000]      a.  S   plant =((λ· S   nst )/ε nst )·(ε nst /λ)= S   nst  
 
         [0000]      b.            S   plant =λ· S   stor ·(┌φ inc ┐/φ inc )
 
         [0000]      c.            S   plant =λ·φ inc   ·S   cons ·(┌φ inc ┐/φ inc )
 
         [0000]      d.            S   plant =λ·┌φ inc   ┐·S   cons  
 
         [0000]      e.            S   plant =ε nst   ·S   cons .
       vi. The total captured energy of the plant does not exceed the maximum energy consumption of all heat engines. Thus, if all engines are running, all captured energy is consumed for electricity production.
           In long periods of bad weather, the controller first decides the number of heat engines that are allowed to operate. For this purpose, the consideration of weather forecasts is essential:   vii. Operating too many heat engines will consume the stored energy too quickly. This might lead to low salt temperatures if the bad weather continues.   viii. Operating a lower number of engines might lead to insufficient electricity production, if the duration of the bad weather is foreseeable.
               As the temperature of the storage tanks decreases, the controller decides on the basis of weather forecasts,   
               ix. to stop the operation of some heat engines; or   x. to interrupt the heat exchange between the main tank and some of the auxiliary tanks; or   xi. to perform both of the above.
               Interruption of the heat exchange between an auxiliary tank and the main tank takes place at a storage medium temperature T int . In case of molten salt, T int  must be higher than the melting point of the salt used. In case of graphite, T int  must be high enough to ensure the further operation of the power plant. The controller selects the optimal T int  based on weather forecasts.   In a worst-case scenario the system allows the use of external energy sources in order to always keep the temperature of a chosen salt above melting point.   
               
               
 
         [0221]    While the present inventions have been described and illustrated in conjunction with a number of specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the principles of the inventions as herein illustrated, as described and claimed. The present inventions may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the inventions is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 
       REFERENCES  
       [0222]      10  Fresnel lens 
         [0223]      20  conventional optical lens 
         [0224]      50  industrial application of prior art system 
         [0225]      100  single large Fresnel lens 
         [0226]      110  array of Fresnel lenses 
         [0227]      150  solar capturing array (SCA) 
         [0228]      160  arm 
         [0229]      170  insulated rotatable base (IRB) 
         [0230]      180  circular rails 
         [0231]      200  frame 
         [0232]      210  vertical tracking axis 
         [0233]      250  vertical tracking 
         [0234]      260  curved transparent plate 
         [0235]      270  insulated capturing socket (ICS) 
         [0236]      280  heat conductor 
         [0237]      300  vertical tracking gearwheel 
         [0238]      305  lens row gearwheel 
         [0239]      310  fiber tracking gearwheel 
         [0240]      315  guide chain 
         [0241]      320  fiber guiding socket 
         [0242]      325  light guiding fiber 
         [0243]      330  slide grooves 
         [0244]      335  top of IRB 
         [0245]      340  bottom of IRB 
         [0246]      345  fiber guiding wheel 
         [0247]      350  transmission chain 
         [0248]      355  vertical tracking motor 
         [0249]      360  vertical tracking drive box 
         [0250]      400  thermal storage medium, e.g. molten salt 
         [0251]      410  heat conductor gills 
         [0252]      430  mounting for Stirling engine 
         [0253]      450  Stirling engine 
         [0254]      470  structure for connecting to portable storage tank 
         [0255]      480  portable storage tank 
         [0256]      490  rails supporting storage tank 
         [0257]      500  main storage tank 
         [0258]      510  auxiliary storage tank 
       REFERENCES CITED 
     Patent Literature 
       [0259]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,578 
         [0260]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,982 B1 
         [0261]    US 2006/0225729 A1 
         [0262]    WO 81/03220 
       Non-Patent Literature 
       [0263]    Logothetis, G.: “Specification, Modelling, Verification and Runtime Analysis of Real Time Systems”. Vol. 280 of Dissertations in Artificial Intelligence, IOS Press 2004, ISBN 978-1-58603-413-9