Solar combined cycle power systems

Abstract

Provided is a combined cycle power system including at least one solar power plant including a concentrating dish configured to concentrate solar radiation; a solar receiver disposed and configured to utilize concentrated solar radiation for heating a first working fluid, and a first turbine configured for generating electricity by expansion therein of the heated first working fluid, and at least one recovery power plant including a heat recovery unit configured for utilizing exhaust heat of the first turbine to heat a second working fluid, and a second turbine configured for generating electricity by expansion therein of the heated second working fluid.

1 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A combined cycle power system, comprising:
 at least one solar power plant comprising
 a concentrating dish configured to concentrate solar radiation, 
 a solar receiver disposed and configured to utilize concentrated solar radiation for heating a first working fluid, and 
 a first turbine configured for generating electricity by expansion therein of the heated first working fluid; and 
   at least one recovery power plant comprising
 a heat recovery unit configured for utilizing exhaust heat of said first turbine to heat a second working fluid, and 
 a second turbine configured for generating electricity by expansion therein of the heated second working fluid. 
   
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein said heat recovery unit further comprises a heat transfer fluid configured to transfer said exhaust heat from said solar power plant to said recovery power plant. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein said solar power plant is a Brayton-cycle plant. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein said recovery power plant is a Rankine-cycle plant. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 25 , being configured to introduce said exhaust heat into at least one heat exchanger. 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 29 , being further configured to utilize residual heat exiting said at least one heat exchanger for providing thermal energy to a thermal system. 
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 25 , further comprising a thermal storage assembly configured to selectively store at least a portion of said exhaust heat. 
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 25 , further comprising a compressor configured to compress said first working fluid prior to entering said solar receiver. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 25 , further comprising a multi-stage compressor comprising at least first and second compressors and an intercooling device configured for cooling said first working fluid following compression within said first compressor and prior to compression within said second compressor. 
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein said second turbine comprises a multi-stage turbine. 
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 25 , comprising a plurality of said solar power plants. 
     
     
         36 . A combined cycle power system, comprising:
 at least one solar power plant comprising
 a solar collection system configured to utilize impinging solar radiation for heating a first working fluid, and 
 a first turbine configured for generating electricity by expansion therein of the heated first working fluid; and 
   at least one recovery power plant comprising
 a heat recovery unit configured for utilizing exhaust heat of said first turbine to heat a second working fluid, and 
 a second turbine configured for generating electricity by expansion therein of the heated second working fluid. 
   
     
     
         37 . The system according to  claim 36 , wherein said solar power plant is a Brayton-cycle plant. 
     
     
         38 . The system according to  claim 36 , wherein said recovery power plant is a Rankine-cycle plant. 
     
     
         39 . The system according to  claim 36 , being configured to introduce said exhaust heat into at least one heat exchanger. 
     
     
         40 . The system according to  claim 36 , further comprising a thermal storage assembly configured to selectively store at least a portion of said exhaust heat. 
     
     
         41 . The system according to  claim 36 , further comprising a multi-stage compressor comprising at least first and second compressors and an intercooling device configured for cooling said first working fluid following compression within said first compressor and prior to compression within said second compressor. 
     
     
         42 . The system according to  claim 36 , wherein said second turbine comprises a multi-stage turbine. 
     
     
         43 . The system according to  claim 36 , comprising a plurality of said solar power plants. 
     
     
         44 . A method for generating electricity, comprising:
 heating a first working fluid by solar radiation impinging thereon;   expanding the heated first working fluid within a first turbine, thereby generating electricity;   heating a second working fluid by heat exhausted from said first turbine; and   expanding the heated second working fluid within a second turbine, thereby generating electricity.