MAXIMIZING VALUE FROM A CONCENTRATING SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
First Claim
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1. A solar energy system comprising:
- a concentrating solar energy collector coupled to provide a heat output and an electricity output to one or more external applications;
heat storage coupled to receive heat from the concentrating solar energy collector and to provide heat to the one or more external applications;
at least one thermally driven device coupled to provide an electricity output or a cold output to the one or more external applications, the thermally driven device coupled to receive heat from the concentrating solar energy collector and from the heat storage; and
a controller configured to control operation of the concentrating solar energy collector, the heat storage, and the thermally driven device to maximize the total monetary value of the heat output from the concentrating solar energy collector, the electricity output from the concentrating solar energy collector, and the electricity or cold output from the thermally driven device.
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatus by which solar energy may be collected to provide electricity, heat, and/or cold are disclosed herein.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A solar energy system comprising:
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a concentrating solar energy collector coupled to provide a heat output and an electricity output to one or more external applications; heat storage coupled to receive heat from the concentrating solar energy collector and to provide heat to the one or more external applications; at least one thermally driven device coupled to provide an electricity output or a cold output to the one or more external applications, the thermally driven device coupled to receive heat from the concentrating solar energy collector and from the heat storage; and a controller configured to control operation of the concentrating solar energy collector, the heat storage, and the thermally driven device to maximize the total monetary value of the heat output from the concentrating solar energy collector, the electricity output from the concentrating solar energy collector, and the electricity or cold output from the thermally driven device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification