A method for generating power, comprising a) providing four or more discreet heat transfer devices (160-163), that are confined within a contained housing , _wherein the discreet heat transfer devices (160-163) are arranged in series with respect to the flow of an intermediate heat transfer fluid (120-129); b) circulating the intermediate heat transfer fluid (120-129) through the housing and about the four or more discreet heat transfer devices (160-163) 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 (121-124) is indirectly heated by the heated primary heat transfer fluid from both the first and second discreet heat transfer devices ; 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 (152-154) is indirectly heated within the third and fourth discreet heat transfer devices by the intermediate heat transfer fluid (120-123); and f) generating power using the heated power cycle fluid exiting the housing . a) providing four or more discreet heat transfer devices (160-163), that are confined within a contained housing , _wherein the discreet heat transfer devices (160-163) are arranged in series with respect to the flow of an intermediate heat transfer fluid (120-129); b) circulating the intermediate heat transfer fluid (120-129) through the housing and about the four or more discreet heat transfer devices (160-163) 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 (121-124) is indirectly heated by the heated primary heat transfer fluid from both the first and second discreet heat transfer devices ; 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 (152-154) is indirectly heated within the third and fourth discreet heat transfer devices by the intermediate heat transfer fluid (120-123); and f) generating power using the heated power cycle fluid exiting the housing . <EOS>