Greenhouse-Enclosed Solar Concentrators for Wind Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concentrated solar power systems face high costs due to robust and complex construction requirements for mirror systems, which are sensitive to environmental damage and require extensive structural support to withstand wind and weather, leading to increased material and installation costs.
Innovation Solution
A greenhouse-like protective exoskeleton encloses the solar energy collection elements, allowing for the use of lighter and less robust mirrors, supported by a minimal structural skeleton, reducing wind forces and enabling simpler tracking mechanisms, and using reflective materials like thin-gauge aluminum foil or reflective film for concentrators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If robust and complex construction is used for mirror systems to withstand wind and weather, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the solar energy collection function into two separate components: a robust greenhouse structure that provides environmental protection, and delicate mirror/concentrator elements that perform optical functions. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the greenhouse handles structural demands while the mirrors focus on optical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The greenhouse structure serves as an intermediary protective layer between the external environment (wind, weather) and the internal mirror systems. This mediator shields the sensitive optical components from direct environmental exposure, reducing their structural requirements.
2Reliability
If robust and complex construction is used for mirror systems to withstand wind and weather, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the solar energy collection function into two separate components: a robust greenhouse structure that provides environmental protection, and delicate mirror/concentrator elements that perform optical functions. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the greenhouse handles structural demands while the mirrors focus on optical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses inexpensive, lightweight materials for the mirror surfaces (such as aluminized Mylar or thin-gauge aluminum foil) that would be unsuitable for outdoor exposure but are perfectly adequate when protected inside the greenhouse. This dramatically reduces manufacturing costs compared to using expensive weather-resistant materials.
3Ease of manufacture
If lighter and less robust mirrors are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The greenhouse structure serves as an intermediary protective layer between the external environment (wind, weather) and the internal mirror systems. This mediator shields the sensitive optical components from direct environmental exposure, reducing their structural requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses inexpensive, lightweight materials for the mirror surfaces (such as aluminized Mylar or thin-gauge aluminum foil) that would be unsuitable for outdoor exposure but are perfectly adequate when protected inside the greenhouse. This dramatically reduces manufacturing costs compared to using expensive weather-resistant materials.
4Reliability
If extensive structural support is used to protect mirror systems from environmental damage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the solar energy collection function into two separate components: a robust greenhouse structure that provides environmental protection, and delicate mirror/concentrator elements that perform optical functions. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the greenhouse handles structural demands while the mirrors focus on optical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The greenhouse structure serves as an intermediary protective layer between the external environment (wind, weather) and the internal mirror systems. This mediator shields the sensitive optical components from direct environmental exposure, reducing their structural requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the overall cost and complexity of the system while maintaining performance by minimizing structural steel usage and protecting the concentrators from environmental damage, allowing for more efficient energy capture and reduced heat loss.
Implementation Method 1
Concentrated solar power systems use mirrors, known as concentrators, to gather solar energy over a large space and aim and focus the energy at receivers that convert incoming solar energy to another form, such as heat or electricity
Implementation Method 2
The receiver absorbs solar energy, transforming it to heat and transmitting the heat to a thermal transport medium such as water, steam, oil, or molten salt
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~3b
AI summary
A protective transparent enclosure (such as a glasshouse or a greenhouse) encloses a concentrated solar power system. The concentrated solar power system includes one or more solar concentrators and one or more solar receivers. Thermal power is provided to an industrial process, electrical power is provided to an electrical distribution grid, or both. In some embodiments, the solar concentrators are parabolic trough concentrators with one or more lateral extensions. In some embodiments, the lateral extension is a unilateral extension of the primary parabolic trough shape. In some embodiments, the lateral extensions are movably connected to the primary portion. In some embodiments, the lateral extensions have a focal line separate from the focal line of the base portion. In some embodiments, the greenhouse is a Dutch Venlo style greenhouse.