Solar Aided Power Generation: Generating “Green” Power from Conventional Fossil Fuelled Power Stations

Abstract

Nowadays, most power is, and will continue to be, generated by consumption of fossil fuels (mainly coal and gas) which has serious negative impacts on our environment. As a clean, free, and non-depleting source, solar energy is getting more and more attention. However, owing to its relatively low intensity, the application of solar energy for power generation purpose is costly, and the efficiencies of the solar thermal power systems having been developed in which solar energy is used as the main heat source are not satisfactory. In addition, solar energy utilisation is subject to the change of seasons and weather. All of these impede the solar energy’s application. How to use solar energy to generate power steadily and efficiently is a problem that needs to be addressed. In this chapter a new idea, i.e. Solar aided power generation (SAPG) is proposed. The new solar aided concept for the conventional coal fired power stations, ie. integrating solar (thermal) energy into conventional power station cycles has the potential to make the conventional coal fired power station be able to generate green electricity. The solar aided power concept actually uses the strong points of the two mature technologies (traditional Rankine generation cycle with relatively higher efficiency and solar heating at relatively low temperature range). The efficiencies (the fist law efficiency and the second law efficiency) of the solar aided power generation are higher than that of either solar thermal power systems or the conventional fuel fired power cycles.