Man Made Island With Solar Energy Collection Facilities

Abstract

A manmade island [10], adaptable for land-based or sea-based operation holds solar energy collection facilities and is rotatable to optimize the angular orientation thereof relative to the position of the sun. More particularly, the man-made island [10] uses a platform [12] that includes a large outer ring [14] that floats on a fluid, and a flexible cover [16] attached to the ring [14] to define an airtight volume [30] below the cover [16]. A plurality of rows [19] of solar radiation collector modules are located above the cover [16], and carry steam generating heat pipes [21]. The rows [19] of modules are supported laterally above the cover [16] by an upper support structure, either a space frame [27], a plurality of cables [46] or a honeycomb [75]. A compressor [32] creates an over-pressure within the enclosed volume [30] to vertically support the cover [16] and the other components mounted thereabove. This structure for supporting the rows [19] of the solar radiation collector modules enables the man-made island [10] to be constructed with a very large surface area, eventually up to several kilometers in diameter, to better utilize the full potential of the solar concentrators [22], thereby to produce electricity at an economically viable cost. The man-made island [10] includes a number of other structural features that enhance the practical application of solar radiation collection technology.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a man-made island, either land-based or sea-based, that is equipped with solar energy collection facilities. More particularly, the present invention relates to a large scale structure of this type which is capable of producing electrical energy in a cost-effective manner via solar thermal technology.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]It is generally accepted that the earth is fast approaching an energy crisis of incalculable proportions. Some say that crisis will occur around the year 2040.[0003]It appears that solar power may be the only source that can theoretically overcome the upcoming energy crisis without disrupting energy costs. Geothermal or tidal energy is a distant second possibility, but clearly at much higher costs.[0004]Solar energy is principally suited to mitigating such a future energy crisis. For instance, almost 10'000 GTEP (TEP=Tons Equivalent Petrol) of solar radiation reaches the earth every year. Yet, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]It is an object of the present invention to achieve practical and tangible progress in harnessing solar energy, to mitigate the known concerns associated with current sources of electrical energy, including the possibility of a significant energy crisis in the foreseeable future.

Problems solved by technology

Geothermal or tidal energy is a distant second possibility, but clearly at much higher costs.

However, there have been practical limitations to large-scale implementation of energy producing systems that rely on the sun.

Also, higher efficiency generally requires more expensive materials.

Still further, the manufacture of photovoltaic cells requires the use of highly toxic chemicals, which present a significant and ever-expanding environmental problem.

Photovoltaic technology will be very important but is not yet usable in large scale.

However, in practice the land requirements for this technology are significant.

Moreover, recent studies indicate that previously estimated electricity costs, using this technology, may have been over-optimistic.

In short, the perceived promise on this technology has not yet delivered tangible benefits, in a practical sense, either due to inefficiencies or excessive costs, and also due to the inherent limitations.

More specifically, these trough collectors require expensive and maintenance-intensive guidance systems to dynamically adjust the angular positions of the panels of the trough, dependent on the sun's position.

This requires expensive gear drives, and also large support structures that can withstand significant load fluctuations and other structural considerations.

They are difficult to clean and susceptible to wind.

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