sci.energy

Alex wrote:

> Just a thought ...
>
> Has anyone tried using solar thermal power as a pre-heater for thermal
> power stations (gas or coal?)
>
> Imagine a 20 Hectare solar collector field supplying about 200MW of
> heat. This is used to preheat air and natural gas, prior to combustion
> in gas turbines.
>
> Input: 200MW solar and 800MW gas
> Output: 500MW electric
>
> Advantages:
>
> - The heat is converted to electricity at an effective efficiency of
> that of the plant, about 50% for gas turbines.
> - The circulatory fluid is only heated to about 200-300C - quite
> manageable with limited losses
> - The heat can be stored in a molten salt and released when there's no
> sun
>
> Any problems with this?

Yes, the heat is low temperature and no use for the application.

Power stations actually need to GET RID of 'low grade' heat !

Graham