Wolfgang Schiel

Abstract: A solar updraft tower power plant-sometimes also called solar chimney, or just solar tower-is a solar thermal power plant utilizing a combination of solar air collector and central updraft tube to generate a solar induced convective flow which drives pressure staged turbines to generate electricity. The paper presents theory, practical experience, and economy of solar updraft towers: First a simplified theory of the solar tower is described. Then results from designing, building and operating a small scale prototype in Spain are presented. Eventually technical issues and basic economic data for future commercial solar tower systems like the one being planned for Australia are discussed.

TL;DR: A solar updraft tower power plant is a solar thermal power plant utilizing a combination of solar air collector and central updraft tube to generate a solar induced convective flow which drives pressure staged turbines to generate electricity as mentioned in this paper.

TL;DR: In this paper, the current status of four Dish-Stirling systems that are being developed for commercial markets and present system specifications and review system performance and cost data, and also review the economics, capital cost, operating and maintenance costs, and the emerging markets for Dish-stirling systems.

TL;DR: In this paper, a parabolic trough collector has been developed for various applications in the 200-400°C temperature range in solar fields up to the hundreds Megawatts range, where the design of a new support structure of the collector included concept studies, wind tunnel measurements, finite elements method (FEM) analyses and resulted in a structure with a central framework element.

TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the present electricity generation using fossil fuels is damaging the environment and is not sustainable, whereas solar radiation is an inexhaustible source of energy.