Most clean energy sources, like solar and wind, are unreliable because they depend on the weather. Meanwhile, storing solar energy using heat (rather than batteries) is too costly and technically challenging. Existing methods struggle with effective heat collection and safe storage of heat in materials like gravel, which can expand and damage containers.
The Invention
This system uses concentrated sunlight to heat up solid gravel, which then stores the energy like a giant rechargeable battery. When needed, the stored heat is used to produce electricity. The invention includes:
- A rotating triple-mirror solar concentrator that improves sunlight capture efficiency.
- A vacuum-insulated pipe system that safely carries and stores high-pressure, high-temperature gas heated by the sun.
- A specially designed heat storage container that holds gravel in a stable shape—even when it heats up and expands.
The Inventive Step
What’s new is the way it manages the flow of heat through the gravel so that the heat spreads evenly, preventing structural stress. This includes a system of evenly placed pipes that blow and pull air through the gravel in a perfectly balanced way. It also uses shape and spacing strategies to allow the gravel to expand safely without damaging the container.
Benefits
- Reduces solar system height by 80% while doubling sunlight concentration.
- Provides cheaper, more stable storage of solar energy without using expensive batteries.
- Keeps power flowing to the grid even when the sun isn’t shining or wind isn’t blowing.
Broader Impact
This invention helps make solar energy more practical and reliable. It’s low-cost, scalable, uses local gravel, and could reduce reliance on fossil fuels—supporting cleaner energy, lower emissions, and energy independence around the world.