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Linking Microgrids with Renewable Generation
Published in Stephen A. Roosa, Fundamentals of Microgrids, 2020
A wide variety of devices may be used to collect solar energy. High-temperature collectors (>50°C above ambient temperature), such as evacuated tubes, are used mainly for industrial process heat, solar air conditioning, and (rarely) water heating in buildings [6]. Flat-plate collectors are most common in building applications while concentrating collectors are more likely to be used for electrical generation. Technologies that use concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies to harness solar thermal energy for electrical generation include parabolic troughs, central receivers, dish-Stirling engines, linear Fresnel reflectors, and power towers. To increase the capacity of solar thermal generation, they are often coupled with energy storage systems.
Alternative Energy: Solar Thermal Energy
Published in Brian D. Fath, Sven E. Jørgensen, Megan Cole, Managing Air Quality and Energy Systems, 2020
Andrea Micangeli, Sara Evangelisti, Danilo Sbordone
The solar energy that reaches the surface of the Earth can be used by a photovoltaic system to produce electricity or by a thermal system to produce heat. When the solar energy is used to produce heat, it is called solar thermal energy technology. In this case, the solar radiation is used to warm up a fluid (water, air, solutions appropriated to each system) that can circulate, mainly: In heat exchangers at the beginning of the circuit that will use the returned available heat.In pipes and radiant objects put in place to warm up.In the refrigeration cycles to evaporate the volatile substances that are used in the condensation phase.
Renewable Energy
Published in Stephen A. Roosa, Steve Doty, Wayne C. Turner, Energy Management Handbook, 2020
Gabriel Caunt, Simon E. Baker, Stephen A. Roosa
Solar thermal energy involves harnessing sunlight to generate heat which is used directly or applied to produce electricity. Solar thermal applications use solar energy for water or space heating applications and usually employ mechanical systems to collect, distribute, and store solar-heated fluid or air. Applications with large thermal mass and relatively low required temperatures, such as pool or hot-water heating can be appropriate applications for solar thermal. Principle factors determining cost-effectiveness are ability to use the solar energy when it is available, combined use for water- and space-heating applications, local climate and the cost of the traditional fuel being offset by the solar thermal collection system.
Design optimization, fabrication, and performance evaluation of solar parabolic trough collector for domestic applications
Published in Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 2020
Muhammad Faheem, Liu Jizhan, Muhammad Waqar Akram, Muhammad Usman Khan, Piyaphong Yongphet, Muhammad Tayyab, Muhammad Awais
Among solar energy resources, solar thermal power is one of the important renewable sources that used a big amount of solar radiation. For low-temperature applications normally used collectors are flat plate collectors, but for industrial and residential usage, we need medium energy level in temperature ranges more than 100°C (Mekhilef, Saidur, and Safari 2011). For low and medium temperature ranges applications, solar concentrator is used instead of flat plate collectors due to less heat losses from small area of concentrator, less cost and its high thermal efficiency (Zou et al. 2016). At present, for the usage of solar thermal energy for concentrated solar radiations purposes, four technologies are mostly used: (a) solar tower systems, (b) parabolic trough systems, (c) linear Fresnel systems, and (d) Sterling solar dish systems (Hafez et al. 2018). Among these solar thermal energy technologies, parabolic trough collector’s technology is most commonly used as parabolic collectors concentrate the sun’s rays on a focal line where the receiver pipe is attached. The receiver of parabolic collector heats the liquid from 20 to 85°C which is useful for low temperature use (Brooks, Mills, and Harms 2006). Parabolic trough collectors could raise temperature with medium range (Tian and Zhao 2013).
The development and utilization of microgrid technologies in China
Published in Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 2019
Solar thermal energy is a form of energy and a technology for harnessing solar energy to generate thermal energy or electrical energy for use in industry, and in the residential and commercial sectors. The best known in a residential setting is domestic hot water, which can convert sunlight into renewable energy for water heating using a solar thermal collector.