Set a record: 97 % of solar energy converted to steam Bashny.Net

Australian scientists have long been engaged in solar energy conversion. In 2014 the CSIRO has created zweckrational steam at high temperatures and pressures. In may of this year, the UNSW engineers reached 34.5% conversion efficiency of solar energy into electricity. Today, scientists at the Australian National University have set a record 97% conversion of solar energy into steam.





Unlike photovoltaic solar panels that absorb sunlight and directly convert it Elektrichestvo, the system of concentration of solar energy (IRT) reflecting sunlight from a large area and focuses it on a small area of the recipient. As this area heats up the water underneath turns to steam that drives a turbine and generates electricity. Instead of accumulating the energy in expensive batteries, thermal energy is stored in molten salts, thus PI water is added it turns out the steam ( and hence electricity) even if there is no sunlight.





The so-called big plate is a concave surface of the reflector, which directs sunlight to a receiver, which is designed and constructed to meet 2 times to minimize losses and to achieve 97% energy conversion.

"When our computer model tells us that the efficiency of our installation is quite high," says Dr. John Pye of the ANU Research School of Engineering. "We build and test, and its efficiency is very high"



The receiver consists of a surface with tubes in which water is heated to 500C and turn it into vapor. The system calibration reflectors produced in a full moon, as the power of daylight can destroy the receiver. technology can help to provide consumers with electricity at night without the use of conventional thermal power plants. published



Source: newatlas.com/solar-thermal-record-anu/45027/#p420165