Advanced Solar Cooling, Heating and Steam Generation Systems Based on the Novel Technological Development “SOLITEM Parabolic Trough Collector PTC”
Abstract
The sun is a sustainable energy source which delivers more energy than required for the whole world every day. The technologies to convert solar energy into final energy have been developed and improved over years. Most commonly known are the direct conversion into electricity with Photovoltaic cells, the usage for thermal applications with thermal collectors, and the operation of concentrating systems for huge power plants (CSP, Concentrating Solar Power). Besides or between these commonly known paths, there are more possibilities given. This article describes the usage of solar concentrating systems in new ways and for new applications. Dr. Ahmet Lokurlu has developed the worldwide first-proven, high-efficient economical system based on the novel technological development of Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC). The system is the first which is useable for rooftop mounting. The solar energy can be used for example for solar cooling, solar steam generation and warm water supply. Concentrating the solar radiation, the temperature level for the usage of solar thermal energy can be increased. The energy conversion is realized with high efficiencies in the single conversion steps. As the solar energy plants can be adapted to the given requirements very easily, the best solution for each application can be found. Substituting the demand of conventional energy sources, such as electricity for compression cooling or fuel for steam or heat generation, economical advantages can be realized already today. Regarding the future development, while the sustainable energy source of the sun always will offer enough energy, and the prices of conventional energies will have to increase due to the exhaustion of limited energy sources, these economics must be improving in the future.