Recommended Research and System Studies, Task 2 Report

摘要

This report is the second of five tasks on solar-to-thermal energy conversion (STEC) concepts. It identifies critical areas in the development of the STEC concept for electric power generation which require further studies to (1) verify the feasibility of this concept; (2) determine precise definitions of the technical, operational, and economic parameters; and (3) effect the capital investment cost reductions to make the STEC system economically competitive. Five research programs are described: insolation measurements; optical coating; materials compatibility; change of state materials; and high temperature heat pipes.