A method for generating power, comprising a) providing four or more discreet heat transfer devices, that are confined within a contained housing, _wherein the discreet heat transfer devices are arranged in series with respect to the flow of an intermediate heat transfer fluid; b) circulating the intermediate heat transfer fluid through the housing and about the four or more discreet heat transfer devices within the contained housing; c) heating a primary heat transfer fluid using an external heat source to provide a heated primary heat transfer fluid; d) circulating a first portion of the heated primary heat transfer fluid through a first of the four or more discreet heat transfer devices within the housing and circulating a second portion of the heated primary heat transfer fluid through a second of the four or more discreet heat transfer devices within the housing, whereby the intermediate heat transfer fluid is indirectly heated by the heated primary heat transfer fluid (102, 103) from both the first and second discreet heat transfer devices (161, 163); e) circulating at least a portion of a power cycle fluid through a third of the four or more discreet heat transfer devices within the housing and circulating the at least a portion of the power cycle fluid through a fourth of the four or more discreet heat transfer devices within the housing to provide a heated power cycle fluid, whereby the power cycle fluid is indirectly heated within the third and fourth discreet heat transfer devices (160, 162) by the intermediate heat transfer fluid; and f) generating power using the heated power cycle fluid (153, 154, 156, 159, 163) exiting the housing. a) providing four or more discreet heat transfer devices, that are confined within a contained housing, _wherein the discreet heat transfer devices are arranged in series with respect to the flow of an intermediate heat transfer fluid; b) circulating the intermediate heat transfer fluid through the housing and about the four or more discreet heat transfer devices within the contained housing; c) heating a primary heat transfer fluid using an external heat source to provide a heated primary heat transfer fluid; d) circulating a first portion of the heated primary heat transfer fluid through a first of the four or more discreet heat transfer devices within the housing and circulating a second portion of the heated primary heat transfer fluid through a second of the four or more discreet heat transfer devices within the housing, whereby the intermediate heat transfer fluid is indirectly heated by the heated primary heat transfer fluid (102, 103) from both the first and second discreet heat transfer devices (161, 163); e) circulating at least a portion of a power cycle fluid through a third of the four or more discreet heat transfer devices within the housing and circulating the at least a portion of the power cycle fluid through a fourth of the four or more discreet heat transfer devices within the housing to provide a heated power cycle fluid, whereby the power cycle fluid is indirectly heated within the third and fourth discreet heat transfer devices (160, 162) by the intermediate heat transfer fluid; and f) generating power using the heated power cycle fluid (153, 154, 156, 159, 163) exiting the housing.