The Suncone Solar Power Generator

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Written by Dr. Melvin L. Prueitt, Principal Investigator

Introduction

A new concentrating solar power (CSP) system called “Suncone” provides an economical method of collecting solar thermal energy for the production of electricity. Suncone can operate at higher temperatures and higher efficiencies than parabolic trough solar collectors and is less expensive than troughs or parabolic dish concentrators. Like the parabolic dish, it must be pointed toward the sun but requires less sun-tracking precision than a parabolic dish or parabolic trough. Suncone is less prone hail damage than troughs or dishes. Extensive patent searches have been made and a patent application has been filed.

Suncone utilizes non-imaging optics with cones made of aluminized plastics that concentrate sunlight onto a target. A major innovative principle of Suncone is the manner in which the cones are held in position. The cones stay cool, while the target reaches high temperatures.

The Department of Energy is supporting a five-year plan to expand concentrating solar power in several Southwestern states by 1,000 MW (1).  If those plants use Suncone, which is the least expensive method for collecting solar energy, the Suncone sales would amount to $900 million. If solar troughs were used for the same plants, the cost for the solar collectors would be about twice that, due to lower efficiency and higher material and fabrication costs. Suncone can save them $900 million.

The primary project task and goal is to construct a working prototype of Suncone that will demonstrate the functionality and viability of the solar energy collector. The performance objective is to show that Suncone is more efficient and less expensive than solar trough collectors. Following the completion of the project, larger Suncone units will be incorporated into solar thermal power plants to produce electricity for New Mexico residents at a lower price than present solar power plants. Advanced development of Suncone could fit into the PIER categories “Environmentally Preferred Advanced Generation” or “Renewable Generation.”

In addition to improving solar electric power generation, Suncone can be applied to seawater desalination utilizing the Kinetic Pump (another new patent-pending invention being developed by HYTEC). The resulting desalination plant will economically produce fresh water in an environmentally friendly manner (no fossil fuel energy required). Also, by using the Kinetic Pump, a Suncone power plant can provide electric energy 24 hours per day with pumped storage.

HYTEC, Inc., is an engineering firm that designs and fabricates precision equipment for the Los Alamos National Laboratory and for other institutions and companies. HYTEC has won R&D 100 Awards on its products. HYTEC will use its expertise to develop a Suncone prototype and demonstrate the economic viability of the Suncone solar collector.

Upon completion of this research project, Suncone units can be manufactured by companies in New Mexico for use in New Mexico 's solar-power generation plants and for export to other states and other nations. It will help to solve the world's problems of energy and water shortage while reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.

Suncone Solar Power Generation

 Project Goal: The goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of using aluminized plastic films in novel conical configurations to produce high-temperature steam that can be used for electric power generation or other uses.

Reporting Requirements:

Submit Progress Reports and Final Report in accordance with the proposed Project Schedule/Deliverables Chart.

Introduction | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | References