Page 266 - Alternative Energy Systems in Building Design
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242 PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING TECHNOLOGIES
Figure 6.12 A Stirling Engine Sunflower prototype. Courtesy of IdeaLab eSolar.
eSolar is utility-scale solar thermal concentrator power plant technology that con-
sists of mass-manufactured solar sun-tracking heliostat reflection mirrors that focus the
solar heat energy to a thermal receiver mounted atop a central power tower. The focused
heat boils water within the thermal receiver tank and produces steam. The plant directs
the steam from each thermal receiver through pipes and aggregates it at a power tur-
bine, which powers an electric power generator. The cooled steam then reverts back to
the tower and repeats the process. Figure 6.13 shows an eSolar power plant.
Figure 6.13 An eSolar power plant. Courtesy of IdeaLab eSolar.
