Thermal Energy Resource Potentials of the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Gulf as a “Solar Pond”

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Introduction. The use of environmentally-friendly engineering systems including solar energy technologies makes it possible to reduce energy costs and therefore to lower production costs and anthropogenic stress on the environment.Aim of the Study. The authors used innovative techniques to assess the thermal resource potential of solar radiation, to analyze the salt deposits of the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Gulf as thermal accumulators for the development, introduction and use of solar thermal technologies and to justify the technical and economic feasibility of their use in engineering systems in the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Gulf (Caspian region).Meterials and Methods. The study design is based on systematic theoretical calculations of the gross, technical, economic and ecological potentials of solar radiation taking into account environmental conditions. For calculating there were used the methods of mathematical modeling of heat and mass transfer processes in active solar energy systems when converting solar energy into thermal energy in the salty reservoir of the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Gulf as a “solar pond”.Results. There have been assessed the solar energy characteristics for the introduction of various engineering storage systems and technologies. There have been determined the results of energy storage on the reservoir salt surface during the day: in winter – 1 009.0 W/m2 per day, in summer – 1 574.7 W/m2 per day. It has been proven that the potential of solar energy conversion into thermal energy varies from 40 to 70% depending on the season. Aaccording to theoretical calculations, the solar pond efficiency in winter is 11.4% and in summer – 14.6%. In summer, there was measured the average temperature on the salt surface of the reservoir bottom, it ranges from 55.04 to 79.8 ºC, in winter from 20.0 to 25.6 ºC.Discussion and Conclusion. The results obtained can be used for strengthening energy security, developing energy systems and producing autonomous thermal power devices based on solar energy that will reduce the energy consumption of fossil fuels and improve the environmental situation in the region. The materials of the article can be used in preparing design estimates and feasibility study for developing various solar energy systems and technologies in the Caspian region.