Patent ID: 8863493

Claim:
A solar power plant comprising respectively a first circuit which forms a solar circuit for circulating a solar flow medium and a second circuit which forms a steam circuit for circulating a second flow medium, the second flow medium being distinct from the solar flow medium, wherein the solar circuit comprises: a pump for circulating the solar flow medium in the first circuit; at least one solar collector to transfer collected solar heat to the solar flow medium; and wherein the steam circuit comprises an auxiliary energy providing system comprising: a feed supply; a pump for circulating the second flow medium in the second circuit; and a steam turbine for generating electricity out of steam; in which at least one first fluid/second fluid heat exchanger is provided to thermally couple the solar circuit and the steam circuit to exchange heat from the solar flow medium received from the at least one solar collector in the solar circuit to the second flow medium in the steam circuit; wherein the solar circuit further comprises: a heat source for generating a flow of heating gas; a gas conduit for guiding the flow of heating gas from the heat source; and a gas/first fluid heat exchanger for transferring heat from the heating gas to the solar flow medium in the first solar circuit, wherein the gas/first fluid heat exchanger is at least partially arranged in the gas conduit, such that the solar flow medium is directly heated by the heating gas.