WO2015161921A1

WO2015161921A1 - Thermal solar power generation system

Info

Publication number: WO2015161921A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/000833
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jon Otegui Van Leeuw
Original assignee: Jon Otegui Van Leeuw
Priority date: 2014-04-21
Filing date: 2015-04-22
Publication date: 2015-10-29

Abstract

This application comprises a solar thermal power generation system which comprises the use of mirrors which are positioned one over the other in a tower-like structure which all deflect the solar rays to a concentrated point down a channel which projects down into the ground, hence bring the power plant's surface are to a maximum. After being driven down through a separate channel by gravity and moving a hydroelectric turbine, the water is converted into steam by the solar arrays and hence driven upwards by natural circulation, where it then drives a steam turbine. Both turbines concerned are connected to generators, hence maximising power plant efficiency and using a simultaneous power generation system which uses both hydroelectric and thermal power systems, hence maximising power output while using only renewable energy and avoiding the usage of pumps. The water can also be converted into steam when it is very cloudy or when the sun is set if the pipe is drilled deep enough so that the temperature at the depth concerned is high enough in order to boil the water.

Description

Title:

Thermal solar power generation system

Technical field:

Power plant engineering

Description of the invention:

This invention comprises a solar thermal power generation system which comprises the use of mirrors which are positioned one over the other in a tower-like structure which all deflect the solar rays to a concentrated point down a channel which projects down into the ground, hence bring the power plant's surface are to a maximum. After being driven down through a separate channel by gravity and moving hydroelectric turbine, the water is converted into steam by the solar arrays and hence driven upwards by natural circulation, where it then moves a turbine. Both turbines concerned are connected to generators, hence maximising power plant efficiency and using a simultaneous power generation system which uses both hydroelectric and thermal power systems, hence maximising power output while using only renewable energy and avoiding the usage of pumps.

The water can also be converted into steam when it is very cloudy or when the sun is set if the pipe is drilled deep enough so that the temperature at the depth concerned is high enough in order to boil the water.

Figure 1 shows a side view of the power generation system comprised in the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the system comprising more than one tower. Figure 3 shows a side view of a floating vessel which comprises the power generation system of Figure 1 and which is fixed to the seabed, river bed or lake bed by the means of cables which are attached to a wheel, which is in turn attached to said vessel by the means of a rotational system.

The power generation system concerned in this invention comprises a long structural beam [1.1] which is positioned vertically on the ground. Said high tower mast [1.1] comprises a set of inclined flat mirrors [1.3] which are positioned on top of each other. After the solar rays [1.21] are deflected on an inclined mirror [1.3], these are deflected towards an-upward facing cylindrical convex lens [1.26] which refracts the light rays and concentrates these into a coherent light beam. The light beam is then refracted to a totally downward vertical direction by an upward-facing cylindrical Plano-concave/concave lens [1.27]. The light beam is finally deflected a by an inclined deflecting mirror [1.5] which drives it to a horizontal direction towards another inclined defecting mirror [1.6] which is inclined at the same angle as the previously mentioned mirror [1.5] but facing the opposite direction. The last deflecting mirror [1.6] then deflects the light beam towards a downward vertical direction towards the lateral area next lower convex lens [1.26], which ill refract the light beam concerned together with the light rays of the next lower inclined mirror [1.22] into a coherent light beam again. Each of the convex lenses [1.26] is positioned under an inclined mirror [1.3, 1.22] and is portioned facing vertically. Each Plano-concave/concave lens [1.27] is positioned under a convex lens [1.26] and is positioned such that the concave surface of said lens [1.27] faces vertically upwards. The sets of inclined deflecting mirrors [1.5, 1.6] are each positioned under each of said Plano-concave/concave lenses [1.27]. The process previously described is repeated again and again such that a cumulative lined light beam is formed and increases in light intensity until reaching the base of the tower mast [1.1]. At that area, the lowest positioned of said upward facing convex [1.30] and Plano-concave/concave [1.31] lenses comprise their respective curvature profiles along a projecting direction which is parallel to the surface of said mirrors [1.3, 1.22, 1.5, 1.6], hence making said two lowest positioned lenses [1.30, 1.31] not cylindrical, such that the already lined geometrised light beams are refracted and concentrated in a lined light beam whose dimensions are small enough to fully enter into a vertically downward driving pipe [1.15] whose entry point is at the surface at the bottom area of the masts [1.1].

The light intensification process concerned is repeated as many times as required, depending on the height and size of the mirrors [1.3, 1.22, 1.5, 1.6] and lenses [1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31], as well as the height of the mast [1.1] which sustains all of these components [1.3, 1.22, 1.5, 1.6, 1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31]. The inclined mirrors [1.3, 1.22] are sustained by beam elements [1.4] which sustain an electric-actuated system which can orientate the attitude and orientation of said mirrors [1.3, 1.22] according to the sun's position. The orientation movements of said mirrors [1.3, 1.22] should preferably be rotational movements with an axis perpendicular to the mast's [1.1] height and perpendicular to the ground level [1.23]. Similar orientation movements should also be performed to the deflecting mirrors [1.5, 1.6] if required. These [1.5, 1.6] are also sustained by separate elements [1.24] which sustain an electric-actuated system which can orientate the attitude and orientation of said mirrors [1.3, 1.22] according to the sun's position.

The deflecting mirrors [1.5, 1.6] are also sustained by separate elements [1.24] and these [1.5, 1.6] should have both [1.5, 1.6] the same inclination angle, but should be flat. The convex [1.26, 1.30] and Plano-concave/concave [1.27, 1.31] lenses are each sustained by horizontally positioned beam elements [1.28, 1.29] which are each attached to the tower mast [1.1] concerned. The outer deflecting mirrors [1.6] are positioned in front of the furthest point at which each of the inclined mirrors [1.3, 1.22] can reach when inclined in order to deflect the incoming solar rays downwards. This is because said mirrors [1.6] have to deflect the solar ray beams into the next downward positioned convex lens [1.26, 1.30] in order to continue generating a solar ray beam of increasing intensity until reaching the bottom of the tower mast [1.1].

The top concave surfaces of the each of the Plano-concave/concave lenses [1.27, 1.31] are positioned above the focal point regions at which light rays refracted by the convex lenses [1.26, 1.30] positioned on top of these [1.27, 1.31], hence making a coherent and

concentrated light beam. The Plano-concave/concave lenses [1.27, 1.31] then refract the light rays in order for these to be driven downwards as a continuous and steady light beam.

Each of the convex lenses [1.26, 1.30] is positioned on top of its lower positioned

corresponding Plano-concave/concave lenses [1.27, 1.31]. Each of said lenses [1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31] is positioned exactly on top of the other along the tower's [1.1] height until reaching the bottom surface [1.23]. The centre line of the downward vertical pipe which drives the focused lined light beam downwards into the ground is at exactly the same position as the centre line of said lenses [1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31]. This enables the system to always drive the resulting magnified light beam down the channel and exactly at its centre in order to maximise functional accuracy and system efficiency.

All of said Plano-concave/concave lenses [1.27, 1.31] comprised in the present invention can also be concave lenses such that these comprise concave surfaces on both sides if necessary, such that these hence refract the light rays back into straight downward vertical lined light ray beams as efficiently as possible. This will guarantee system efficiency.

The orientation of the mast [1.1] can be changed according to the sun's position by the means of an electric-actuated system [1.20] which can rotate the mast [1.1] as required according to the sun's position. Said electric actuated rotation system [1.20] comprises a rotational wheel [1.20] on which the tower masts [1.1] is positioned near the outer edge of said wheel [1.1], such that said wheel [1.20] rotates about an axis which is along the same line as the centre line of the vertical pipe [1.15] along which the solar ray beam is driven downwards, hence ensuring that at any orientation, the solar rays will be driven vertically through said pipe

[2.12]. The rotation system [1.20] can be hydraulically actuated, electrically actuated, or both.

When the deflected solar rays reach the ground [1.23], these continue down the vertical channel [1.15] into the ground.

The water [1.7] flows on the ground's surface from a river or channel into the system. Before entering into the system by gravity, the water [1.7] flow is controlled by a movable gate [1.8] which is electrically or hydraulically actuated and which regulates the flow rate of liquid water [1.7] entering into the system according to the intensity of the solar rays being driven down the channel [1.15] into the ground.

Said water [1.7] is then driven down a pipe [1.9] into the ground by gravity. Said water then drives a turbine [1.11] which is in turn drives a generator (or alternator) [1.10] which produces electricity from the water's kinetic energy. After driving said turbine [1.11], said water flows through a pipe [1.25] until being driven under the solar rays which are driven down the channel [1.15]. The solar rays hence heat the passing water and convert it into steam. The system can also use geothermal energy by driving said pipe [1.25] even further downwards into the ground before converting said water into steam by the means of geothermal heat, solar rays, or a combination of both, such that the system can continue generating electricity when the sun is set or when it is very cloudy. The solar rays pass through a transparent lens [1.13] proper of converting liquid water into steam. If any geothermal heat is used, the latter is transferred to the flowing liquid water by the means of geothermal heat transfer plates [1.12].

However, it is recommended to only use gravity to drive water down into the ground and only solar rays to convert water into steam due to the very high cost that a geothermal installation could offer, both at the construction and operation phases.

After the water is converted into steam in the pipe [1.25] after passing under said transparent lens [1.13], the steam is driven upwards by natural circulation through a pipe [1.16]. The steam then drives a turbine [1.17] which in turn drives a generator (or alternator) [1.18]. After droving said turbine [1.17], the steam is driven by natural circulation through a pipe [1.19] out of the system. The steam can then either be released into the environment, or be condensed by a secondary water circuit, or be used for industrial or domestic applications, such as heating applications.

The solar rays are concentrated by the curvature of the geometry of the convex lens [1.13], hence concentrating all solar rays to a heat point. The flowing water passes through said heat point under the lower surface of the lens [1.13] and the heat present at that point hence converts it into steam very efficiently. This process happens when the water flows through the lower horizontal area of the pipe [1.9, 1.14].

The result is a totally renewable power generation system, which maximises power generation efficiency and electricity production by the means of only natural sources, which can be gravity and solar rays, or a combination of gravity, solar rays and geothermal heat.

The very design of the tower mast [1.1] and the architecture of the entire system offer a power plant design which could maximise electricity production with the minimum surface area. Thus, the system concerned in this invention offers the advantage of using a very small surface area especially due to the architecture of the tower [1.1] and the positioning of the mirrors [1.3, 1.22, 1.5, 1.6], hence offering a totally renewable highly efficient power generation system at a cost effective and environmentally friendly manner, while using a very small ground surface area.

The system can also comprise various more than one tower masts [2.6] while comprising only one water turbine [2.3] and one steam turbine set [2.10]. In such architecture, the water is driven through the same channel [2.1] and is then driven down a pipe [2.2] down into the ground by gravity. Then, the water drives a water turbine [2.3] which in turn drives a generator (or alternator) which produces electricity. After driving the turbine [2.3], the water is driven through a distribution pipe [2.5] on each side of the previous pipe by gravity. Said water is then distributed from said pipe [2.5] into separate pipes [2.4]. Each of said separate pipes project under a tower [2.6] and hence under the pipe [2.12] through which the solar rays flow downwards after being deflected by the tower's mirrors [2.7]. The solar rays, which are deflect down the pipe [2.12] into the ground after being deflected by the mirrors [2.7], convert the flowing water into steam when reaching the lower end of the pipe [2.12]. Thus, the solar rays convert the liquid water flowing through the underground pipes [2.4] into steam. The steam is then driven by natural circulation into a collection pipe [2.8]. The ^' collection pipes [2.8] drive the steam towards a single pipe [2.13] the system should preferably comprise two steam collection pipes (one at each side) [2.8]. All pipes [2.4] hence connected to the steam collection pipes [2.8] which in turn drive the steam towards one single pipe [2.13] in order to reduce construction costs and the number of components used. After being driven through the collection pipes [2.8], the steam is driven upwards by natural circulation through an upward projecting pipe [2.13]. Said pipe [2.13] drives the steam upwards until reaching the ground surface or just below the ground surface. Once the steam has reached that point, it drives a steam turbine [2.10], which in turn drives a generator set [2.11] and produces electricity. After driving said steam turbine [2.1], the steam is then driven through a pipe [2.9] which rises on top of the ground's level in order to minimise construction costs.

As can be seen on Figure 2, the tower masts [2.6] are separate of each other, and can be turned [2.6] to orientate these [2.6] as required according to the sun's position. The tower masts [2.6] are positioned near the edge of the turning wheels [2.14] which rotate about an axis which is positioned at the same position as the centre line of the vertical pipe [2.12], hence ensuring that at any orientation, the solar rays will be driven vertically through said pipe [2.12]. The rotation system [1.20] can be hydraulically actuated, electrically actuated, or both.

The systems comprised on Figures 1 and 2 can comprise all piping [1.9, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 2.5, 2.4, 2.8, 2.13] over ground, but this would require the construction of higher towers [1.1, 2.6]. Furthermore, the positioning of all piping systems [1.9, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 2.5, 2.4, 2.8, 2.13] over ground would only be suitable in the case that the system is situated in a mountainous area, hence with the water falling from a higher point. However, the

construction costs would be reduced. The steam turbine [1.17, 2.10] and the water turbine set [1.11, 2.4] and/or the corresponding generators (and/or alternators) of said systems [1.17, 2.10, 1.11, 2.4] can be positioned over ground, but only in mountainous areas. However, the positioning of systems over ground would require the construction of buildings, hence adding to the construction costs already required.

The exit pipe of the system [1.19, 2.9] can be positioned underground to spare space as well, but construction costs would increase as a result. The generator (or alternator) sets [1.10] driven by the water turbines can be positioned horizontally, but this would however require more dynamic components such as connecting shafts and gearboxes, and larger volumes of space, hence increasing construction costs further. Therefore, it is preferable to maintain said generators (or alternators) [1.10] in a vertical position.

The system comprised in this invention can also be used for domestic and/or industrial heating applications, where the steam which is driven upwards through the steam pipe [1.16] can be directly driven through the exit pipe [1.19] to residential or industrial areas for heating applications, without the need to drive a steam turbine [1.17] and a generator/alternator

[1.18].

The system can also comprise a salt evacuation pipe at the area [1.12] on which liquid water is converted into steam if sea water is used. Said architecture would hence comprise a salt evacuation pipe on the bottom surface [1.12] of said area of the pipe.

The system comprised on the present invention can also be used to power a floating vessel or to produce electricity using a floating vessel [1.23], which should preferably be an offshore vessel [1.23]. Said vessels [1.23] should preferably be wind power generation offshore vessels, or solar thermal power generation offshore vessels. These architectures would use sea water [1.7] and/or unsalted water [1.7] from a sea, channel, canal or river [1.7] on which the vessel concerned would be floating, to be driven by gravity down a pipe [1.9] to the bottom of the vessel's hull, hence driving a water turbine [1.11]. The tower masts [1.1] with all deflecting mirrors [1.3, 1.5, 1.6] are positioned on the vessel's upper surface [1.23], an hence would deflect solar rays into the vertical pipe [1.15] which would run down into the vessel's hull [1.23] and convert the flowing water through the pipe [1.14] into steam. The steam would then be driven through a pipe [1.16] by natural circulation and drive a steam turbine [1.17] before being either released into the environment or used for heating and/or industrial applications.

If the vessel concerned is an offshore thermal power generation vessel, the steam would be released into the environment using a low level pipe [1.19] positioned at a low height above the water surface [1.7] or a chimney positioned further apart from said tower masts [1.1]. The steam could also be driven through a pipe [1.19] from the offshore solar thermal power generation vessel to the shore and can be used for heating, industrial or commercial applications prior of being released into the environment.

Therefore, said architecture would create a solar thermal power generation vessel, which could simultaneously produce electricity and steam for residential, industrial or commercial applications. The vessel should preferably be a floating vessel and should more preferably be positioned offshore and would supply both electricity and steam to the seashore, river shore, channel shore, or canal shore for any relevant applications.

If said architecture is comprised on a ship, said steam could be used for heating applications and/or being evacuated through the exit pipe [1.19] towards the ship's chimneys. The steam turbine [1.17] and water turbines [1.11] can each drive the ship's propellers directly and/or drive a generator [1.10, 1.18] to produce electricity, which can also be used for electric ship propulsion system applications and to power the ship's electrical and electronic systems. This architecture would offer environmentally friendly shipping with no or very little fossil fuel consumption, and would hence being shipping costs to a minimum, hence making ships more cost effective to operate. Said architecture should preferably be used in ships which navigate in sunny and/or very sunny areas, particularly near and/or in equatorial regions. Said architecture should preferably use the existing masts of the ship as the tower masts [1.1] such that said mirrors could be retrofitted onto the existing masts [1.1] of the ship. This architecture would simplify the design of the ship's propulsion and power generation system, hence minimising volume usage and weight and maximising efficiency and minimising costs.

The power generation system comprised in this invention should preferably be configured such that each of said tower masts [1.1] comprises at least 20, preferably 50, more preferably 100, and most preferably 1000 of said inclined mirrors [1.3], positioned on top of each other along with the corresponding inclined mirrors [1.5, 1.6].

The power generation system comprised in this invention is very suitable to be comprised in a floating vessel [1.23] which should preferably be offshore and/or attached to the seafloor, river floor or lake floor by the manes of jacks, cables, ropes or structural beams, such that it does not change in attitude or position due to any forces generated by waves and/or currents, and which comprises said tower masts [1.1] on said vessel's upper surface [1.23]. Said system architecture with the exception of the tower masts [1.1] and preferably also the exit pipe [1.19], should be embedded in said vessel's hull. This architecture would hence be using the water on which the vessel floats and hence creating a solar thermal power generation vessel.

The advantage of using an offshore floating vessel to generate electricity using the power system comprised in this invention is that the costs of drilling, digging and removing earth from the ground would be eliminated, hence positioning the entire system in a floating structure or mega structure.

The entire power generation system can also be entirely positioned on said vessel's upper surface [1.23], but this means that the vessel's upper surface [1.23] would have to be positioned very low under the water level, and therefore, this architecture is much less recommended. The mirrors [1.3, 1.5, 1.6] and the mast's [1.1] rotational system [1.20] of the power generation system comprised in this invention should be controlled by a computer-controlled electronic system which monitors the time in accordance with the data, and hence calculates the sun's positions and send commands to the actuators in order to orientate the tower masts [1.1] and the mirrors [1.3, 1.5, 1.6]. If said power generation system is comprised in a floating vessel or on a floating vessel, a gyroscopic system can assist the computer to identify the vessel's attitude, and hence to send commands to the actuators to make corrections to the orientations of the tower masts [1.1] and the mirrors [1.3, 1.5, 1.6].

If the power generation system comprised in the present invention should preferably be positioned beside a river, sea, channel or canal, or if comprised in or on a floating vessel, said vessel should float on a sea, river, channel or canal.

The power generation system comprised in this invention can be configured such that said water turbines [1.11, 2.3] and steam turbines [1.17, 2.10] drive at least one

generator/alternator each, such that each can drive more than one generator/alternator if required.

In the power generation system comprised in this invention, said lens [1.13] comprises a convex surface [1.13] on each of its two sides, such that the light rays are concentrated into a coherent light beam at a focal point. The water is converted into steam when it flows through the lined light beam present at said focal point. Said convex lens [1.13] comprised at the bottom of the vertical channel [1.15] comprises the same profile when projecting in the direction which is parallel to the surface of the mirrors [1.3, 1.22], such that said lenses [1.13] are cylindrical convex lenses which converge the light into a focal point, where the flowing water is converted into steam. The power generation system comprised in this invention can also be comprised in an offshore vessel [3.4] whose hull [3.4] is at least partially submerged and which is kept on its required position by a set of at least two cables [3.8] which are attached to the seabed [3.7], lake bed [3.7], or river bed [3.7], or to at least one heavy element each which is laid on said beds [3.7]. So, said cables [3.8] are attached to a rotational wheel [3.5] which in turn connects to a rotational system [3.6]. The rotational system [3.6] connects the vessel's hull [3.4] to the wheel [3.5], which rotates said vessel [3.4] about said wheel [3.5] according to the sun's orientation due to the reaction force of said cables [3.8] if said system [3.6] is actuated by a motor exerting a rotational force on said wheel [3.5], or the reaction force of the water if the system uses marine thrusters. Therefore, the surfaces said mirrors [3.1, 3.2] are constantly perpendicular to the solar rays without the need of rotating each of said masts [3.3]. The offshore vessel [3.4] can hence float on the water's surface [3.9] while being perfectly able to change its orientation as required.

If said system [3.6] comprises a motor which actuates a rotational movement to the wheel [3.5], the reaction force exerted by the cables [3.8] will make rotate the vessel [3.4]. If said system [3.6] comprises marine thrusters, the wheel [3.5] will keep the vessel [3.4] on its required position and the vessel [3.4] will rotate about said wheel [3.5]. The vessel can comprise a rotational system [3.6] which comprises other of the two said systems, or both.

If said system [3.6] uses motors, these should preferably be electric motors. Said system [3.6] rotates said vessel [3.4] about said wheel [3.5] according to the sun's orientation, which is performed by comprising motors exerting a rotational force on said wheel [3.5], laterally orientated marine thrusters, or both, such that the surfaces said mirrors [3.1, 3.2] are constantly perpendicular to the solar rays without the need of rotating each of said masts [3.3]. The vessel [3.4] is rotated and hence orientated about said wheel [3.5] along a plane which is parallel to the surface of the water [3.9] of the lake, river, canal, channel or sea on which said vessel [3.4] is floating.

This rotational system [3.6] allows the vessel [3.4] to comprise various tower masts [3.3] in a small surface area positioned exactly the one beside the other, and hence allowing these [3.3] to function with maximum efficiency without being overshadowed by each other [3.3], and hence avoiding any shadowing on the mirrors [3.2] attached to any of said tower masts [3.3] comprised on the vessel [3.4].

If the vessel [3.4] comprises marine thrusters, these would be positioned in the submerged areas of the vessel's hull [3.4], preferably at the ends and/or sides of the vessel's hull [3.4].

The power generation system comprised in this invention can also be configured such that said steam is condensed by projecting the exit pipe [1.19] through a separate water channel, preferably through the water area from which the liquid [1.7] water is collected into the system (and hence through the pipe [1.9]), such that the resulting liquid water can be used as desalinated water for applications such as domestic applications. This system is ideal for areas where an electricity supply is needed while water needs to be desalinated, bacteria have to be killed, or both. The system can offer all three services simultaneously.

The power generation system comprised in this invention can also comprise a sensor which is positioned on any area which is freely exposed to the sun and which measures the intensity of the solar rays, such that the recorded data is transmitted to a computer which calculates the required water flow rate to be converted into steam, such that said computer controls said water flow control gate [1.8] by sending commands to the actuators of said water flow control gate [1.8]. So, the water flow control gate [1.8] is being continuously computer controlled. Said sensor should be positioned on an area where the solar rays' intensity can be easily measured, for example at the top of the masts [1.1]. The top of the masts [1.1] is an ideal location to locate the sensor, as the solar rays will not be stopped by any component. The sensor data is transmitted to the computer either via a cable which is positioned inside or on the masts [1.1], or wirelessly.

The concave surface curvature geometries of the Plano-concave/concave lenses [1.27, 1.31] should preferably be higher than that of said convex lenses [1.26, 1.30]. This will enable said concave lenses [1.27, 1.31] to refract the light rays into a coherent vertical light beam while simultaneously comprising a much smaller cross-sectional diameter than that of the convex lenses [1.26, 1.30].

Said vertical pipe [1.15] which drives the concentrated light rays downwards to heat the water does not need to comprise said lens [1.13] at the bottom of said pipe [1.15]. As the light rays are already very concentrated by the lenses [1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31] attached to said tower masts [1.1], a flat transparent surface which covers the top of said pipe [1.15], or which is positioned at the bottom of said pipe [1.15] is sufficient in order to avoid undesired dirt and residue falling into the pipe [1.15]. If there is unwanted material falling into the pipe [1.15], it could block the pipe [1.15] in the long term and catch fire due to the very powerful light rays. Said flat transparent lens can be positioned at the upper surface of the rotating element [1.20] of the tower mast [1.1], such that any unwanted material cannot enter into the vertical pipe [1.15].

In order to maximise evaporation efficiency of the water in the pipes [2.4], said water pipes [2.4] can comprise a geometry such that their cross-sectional area view from the top view (Figure 2) is greater at the area of contact [1.12, 2.12] of the concentrated light rays with the flowing water [1.25]. This design will reduce the flowing speed of the water [1.25] while flowing under the concentrated light rays, and the water will also flow as a thin water film along that area [1.12, 2.12], hence maximising heat transfer efficiency, and hence maximising evaporation efficiency, and hence maximising the efficiency of the entire power generation system.

Said power generation system can comprise electrical resistances being positioned along the tower masts [1.1] and also positioned such that these make contact with the mirrors [1.3, 1.5, 1.6], the lenses [1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31], and the respective connecting elements [1.4, 1.24, 1.28, 1.29] which connect said outer components to the tower mast [1.1], such that said electrical resistances form a de-icing system altogether. This system will hence heat the most crucial external elements of the power generation system in order for these to avoid any malfunctions due to ice, freezing, or due to the build-up of ice over its surfaces. So, the system will also be implemented in very cold environmental conditions without

compromising safety and reliability.

Additionally, an orientation system can be installed at each main external elements, comprising the mirrors [1.3, 1.5, 1.6], the lenses [1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31], and the connecting elements [1.4, 1.24, 1.28, 1.29], such that in case of strong winds in adverse weather conditions, the tower masts [1.1] will be deflected, and hence electrical motors will be changing the orientation of said crucial elements relative to their respective tower mast [1.1] position along the x, y and z axis in order to make sure that the light rays are mirrored, deflected, refracted and concentrated into the required direction. The actuation systems should each comprise a separated gyroscopic sensor for each crucial external component, such that the changes in position of the component in question in respect to the ground and to the sun can be calculated by a computer which is connected to said gyroscopic sensor. The sensor hence comprises an embedded gyroscope. So, a command will be sent to the actuation system, and hence to said electrical motors to perform the required correction. The gyroscopic sensors should remain operational constantly and should always be connected to one or more computers, which will calculate the changes in orientation about the x, y and z axis and send a command to the actuation systems in a fraction of a second. So, the orientation pf each component will be changed and corrected in a fraction of a second by this electronic system.

All of said systems will maximises the operational reliability of the power generation system in question. Said orientation system should be installed on each of the external components, comprising the mirrors [1.3, 1.5, 1.6], the lenses [1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31], and the connecting elements [1.4, 1.24, 1.28, 1.29].

Said orientation system could also be attached to a vertical projecting rigid element which connects the mirrors [1.3, 1.5, 1.6], the lenses [1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31], and the connecting elements [1.4, 1.24, 1.28, 1.29] to said vertical rigid element, such that in the case of high winds, the components will not move and/or change orientation about each other, hence avoiding any deflection of the light rays in the light concentration section concerned. This has to be installed however for each light concentration section, comprising one collecting mirror [1.3], with two deflection mirrors underneath [1.5, 1.6], and the two lenses [1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31] underneath said mirrors. Additionally, a hydraulic jack system can be comprised to move each of said vertical rigid projecting elements such that each of these are exactly on top of each other along the mast [1.1]. The hydraulic jack system can be also installed for each component individually such that each component can be moved such that all of these are positioned exactly on top of each other along the tower mast [1.1]. Said component include the mirrors [1.3, 1.5, 1.6], the lenses [1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31], each being connected to its respective connecting element [1.4, 1.24, 1.28, 1.29]. All these systems are controlled by a computer which monitors and sends actuation commands when necessary. The edges of the lower surfaces of the lenses [1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31] can also comprise a thin opaque material cover whose geometry projects vertically downwards from the bottom edges of the lenses [1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31] which would stop any undesired light rays being refracted or deflected from the lenses [1.26, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31] towards the surroundings of the tower mast [1.1], hence maximising system safety and maximising the safety and wellbeing of the surroundings of the power generation system, including the tower masts [1.1].

Said elements of the power generation system comprised in this invention should be made of a composite material, preferably carbon fibre reinforced plastics or glass fibre reinforced plastics, or a transparent material, preferably glass, transparent PVC or UPVC, or Plexiglas, or a plastic material, preferably UPVC, PVC, polyethylene or polypropylene, or a metallic material, preferably steel or an aluminium alloy, or cement, or concrete, or a combination of at least two of said materials.

Said systems described in the present invention can be used to provide power and/or supply heat and/or supply water and/or comprised in mountainous areas, high altitude places, low altitude places, lake shores, sea shores, lakes, rivers, river sides, seas, channels, canals, canal shores, river shores, ships, boats, submarines, trains, trucks, lorries, trailers, aircraft, air cushion ground effect vehicles, ground effect vehicles, maritime vehicles, naval vehicles, helicopters, airplanes, space planes, spacecraft, space stations, buildings, houses, factories, factory buildings, telecommunication towers, communication towers, airports, airport control towers, hospitals, tower blocks, towers, skyscrapers, quarries, mines, harbours, cranes, power stations, cooling towers, antennas, oceanographic vessels, icebreakers, offshore vessels, wind turbine offshore vessels, oil tankers, container vessels, solar thermal power generation offshore vessels, thermal power generation offshore vessels, offshore vessels, workboats, work vessels, tugs, marine vessels, oil rigs, oil rig towers, oil drilling towers, oil drilling vessels, industrial vessels, crane masts, cranes, wind turbines, wind turbine masts, signalling masts, signalling towers, railway signalling towers, railway signalling masts, traffic light masts, jack-up cranes, jack-up vessels, jack-up ships, jack-up rigs, rigs, barges, floating barges, sea barges, river barges, canal barges, railway catenary pillars, railway catenary masts, road traffic masts, road lighting masts, street lighting masts, pontoons, submersible pontoons, submersible barges, submersible vessels, submersible offshore vessels, bridges, bridge masts, dams, submersible wind turbine vessels, submersible solar thermal power generation vessels, desalination plants, offshore desalination plants, submersible desalination plants, semi-submersible desalination plants, semi-submersible barges, semi-submersible pontoons, semi-submersible vessels, semi-submersible offshore vessels, semi-submersible wind turbine vessels, semi-submersible solar thermal power generation vessels, icebreakers, shipyards, shipyard docks, dry docks, floating docks, semi-submersible docks, docks, harbours, dockyards.

So, the present invention comprises a power generation system which comprises a cylindrical convex lens at the bottom of a vertical pipe, such that the solar rays being deflected by flat inclined mirrors are concentration by the means of a convex lens mounted on top of a Planoconcave/concave lens, into a coherent light beam, which is then deflected by inclined flat mirrors, such that a finite number of units of said system are mounted one on top of each other on a tower mast(s), hence finally driving a cumulative solar ray beam downwards through said vertical pipe and then through said lens, whose curved surface deflects the solar light rays and simultaneously concentrates all of these to a point under said lens's lower surface, and converts water which was previously driven down through a separate pipe by gravity and driving a water turbine(s), into steam at the area of said light point, hence driving said steam upwards through another pipe by natural circulation and then driving a steam turbine(s).

The preferred embodiments are thereof the following. A power generation system according to the above in which said steam and water turbines each drive at least one generator/alternator which produces electricity.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises said tower masts being positioned along the outer edge of a rotational wheel which makes part of a hydraulically and/or electrically actuated rotational orientation system to rotate and so orientate said tower masts, preferably about a vertical rotation axis, according to the sun's position, such that said system's rotational wheel rotates said tower masts about an axis which is at the same position as the centre line of said vertical pipe where said solar rays are driven down to convert water into steam.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises flat inclined mirrors which collect the solar rays and deflect these vertically towards an upward-facing cylindrical convex lens, which concentrates said light rays towards a focal point, which are then refracted by an upward-facing cylindrical Plano-concave/concave lens, whose concave surface curvature geometries should preferably be higher than those of said convex lens, and whose upper concave surface is positioned above said focal point, into a vertical light beam, which is finally deflected by two equally inclined deflecting mirrors positioned in front of each other, into a vertical beam positioned in front of the next bottom flat inclined mirror and over the edge of the next lower convex lens, hence forming an each time stronger coherent light beam until entering into said vertical pipe.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises hydraulically or electric motor-actuated systems to orientate said mirrors to their required orientation in accordance to the sun's position, preferably in a rotational motion whose axis of rotation is perpendicular to said tower mast's height and to said mirrors' frontal view. A power generation system according to the above in which said water turbine and steam turbine should comprise its rotational axis positioned vertically or horizontally such that the rotational axis of said turbines should be equal or perpendicular to that of the

generators/alternators which are driven by said turbines.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises a water flow control gate at the system's entrance, hence controlling the flow of water into said pipe by gravity according to the intensity of the light beam which converts said water into steam.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises beams which sustain each of said flat tilted mirrors separately at each level and/or both of said deflecting mirrors together at each level to the tower mast which sustains all mirrors on their required positions, such that said beams should preferably be orientated horizontally.

A power generation system according to the above in which water flows by gravity from said water turbine to the point where said solar beam converts it into steam, either through a horizontal pipe, or through a vertical pipe prior of being driven horizontally, such that geothermal heat could be used at the bottom of said system's pipe in order to use said geothermal heat when solar light is minimal.

A power generation system according to the above in which said horizontal pipe drives water by gravity to a distribution pipe such that, preferably after driving said water turbine, said water is distributed to various pipes, each one driving water under a one of said tower masts in order to convert water into steam, such that said steam is then collected together by a collection pipe which drives the steam to another upward projecting pipe by natural circulation prior of driving said steam turbine and/or being used for heating applications and/or being released into the atmosphere. A power generation system according to the above which is comprised on a floating vessel, hence comprising said mast on the floating vessel's deck, preferably using the vessel's masts as a retrofitted system option, and in which the water flows downwards by gravity towards a lower positioned area in the vessel's hull, gets converted into steam by the light beam driven through a vertical pipe into the hull, and then drives a steam turbine and/or is being used for heating application purposes before being driven towards another pipe for evacuation, such that all of previously said systems are embedded inside the vessel's hull, hence creating a thermal solar power generation vessel.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises said architecture in a wind power generation vessel, such that said mirrors would be attached using the masts of the wind turbine(s) as said tower masts, hence creating a multifunctional and multi source power generation vessel.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises a salt evacuation pipe at the bottom pipe area where liquid water is converted into steam if said water comes from the sea in the case that said system would be situated in a ship or near the sea.

A power generation system according to the above in which the steam is evacuated through a cooling tower, or through a pipe which drives said steam to an external source of liquid water which should preferably be that from which the latter was initially taken into the system, or through a pipe which is cooled by a secondary cooling water circuit, or through a ship's chimneys/exhaust pipes.

A power generation system according to the above in which said previously mentioned systems are positioned either at or above ground level, or below ground level with exception of said tower masts and preferably also said steam evacuation pipe. A power generation system according to the above in which said steam can either be used to drive a steam turbine or not, prior of being driven through a pipe above ground or

underground towards residential and/or industrial areas for heating and/or industrial purposes.

A power generation system according to the above which can be positioned in a mountainous region and/or in an elevated terrain, in which water can be driven into the system by gravity from an elevated terrain positioned at high altitude by gravity and/or by gravity in said system architecture comprised on the above paragraphs.

A power generation system according to the above which on each of said tower masts comprises at least 20, preferably 50, more preferably 100 and most preferably 1000 of said flat inclined mirrors, positioned on top of each other along with the corresponding inclined deflecting mirrors.

A power generation system according to the above which is comprised in a floating vessel which should preferably be offshore and/or attached to the seafloor, channel floor, river floor or lake floor by the manes of jacks, cables, ropes or structural beams, such that it does not change in attitude or position due to any forces generated by waves and/or currents, and which comprises said tower masts on said vessel's upper surface and said system architecture embedded in said vessel's hull and/or on said vessel's upper surface, hence using the water on-which it floats and hence creating a solar thermal power generation vessel.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises an electronic control unit which controls the orientation and rotation of said tower masts and said mirrors by

calculating the sun's position, and hence the required orientations of said mirrors and said tower masts in accordance to the local time and sending commands to these, which should preferably be assisted by a gyroscopic system if said power generation system is comprised in the previously said vessels. A power generation system according to the above which is comprised beside a river, sea, lake, channel or canal, or on a sea, river, lake, channel or canal if comprised in or on said floating vessels.

A power generation system according to the above in which the lowest positioned of said upward facing convex and Plano-concave/concave lenses comprise their respective curvature profiles along a projecting direction which is parallel to the surface of said mirrors, hence making said two lowest positioned lenses not cylindrical, such that the light beams are refracted and concentrated in a lined light beam whose dimensions are small enough to fully enter into said vertical pipe.

A power generation system according to the above which is comprised in an offshore vessel whose hull is at least partially submerged and which is kept on its required position by a set . of at least two cables which are attached to the canal bed, channel bed, seabed, lake bed, or river bed, or to at least one heavy element each which is laid on said beds, such that said cables are attached to a rotational wheel which in turn connects to a rotational system which rotates said vessel along a plane which is parallel to the water surface and about said wheel according to the sun's orientation by comprising motors exerting a rotational force on said wheel, laterally orientated marine thrusters, or both, such that the surfaces said mirrors are constantly perpendicular to the solar rays without the need of rotating each of said masts.

A power generation system according to the above in which said steam is condensed by projecting the exit pipe through a separate water channel, preferably through the water area from which the liquid water is collected into the system, such that the resulting liquid water can be used as desalinated water for applications such as domestic applications.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises a sensor which is positioned on any area which is freely exposed to the sun, preferably on top of said masts, and which measures the intensity of the solar rays, such that the recorded data is transmitted to a computer which calculates the required water flow rate to be converted into steam, such that said computer controls said water flow control gate by sending commands to the actuators of said water flow control gate either via wire or wirelessly.

A power generation system according to the above in which the cross-sectional diameters of said Plano-concave/concave lenses have smaller cross-sectional diameters than said convex lenses.

A power generation system according to the above in which said vertical pipe which drives the concentrated light rays downwards to heat the water does not need to comprise said lens at the bottom of said pipe, such that a flat transparent surface which covers the top of said pipe, or which is positioned at the bottom and/or at the top of said pipe is sufficient in order to avoid undesired dirt and residue falling into the pipe.

A power generation system according to the above in which said water pipes can comprise a geometry such that their cross-sectional area view from the top is greater at the area of contact of the concentrated light rays with the flowing water, hence driving the water to flow slower and in the form of a thin water film in said area, and hence maximising heat transfer and evaporation efficiency.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises electrical resistances being positioned along said tower masts and also positioned such that these make contact with the mirrors, the lenses, and the respective connecting elements, which connect said outer components to the tower mast, such that said electrical resistances form a de-icing system altogether for the system to operate in freezing weather conditions. A power generation system according to the above which comprises an orientation system which can be installed at each main external elements, comprising the mirrors, the lenses, and the connecting elements, such that in case of strong winds in adverse weather conditions, the tower masts will be deflected, and hence electrical motors will be changing the orientation of said crucial elements relative to their respective tower mast position along the x, y and z axis in order to make sure that the light rays are mirrored, deflected, refracted and concentrated into the required direction.

A power generation system according to the above in which said orientation system could also be attached to a vertical projecting rigid element which connects said mirrors, said lenses, and said connecting elements to said vertical rigid element, such that in the case of high winds, the components will not move and/or change orientation about each other, hence avoiding any deflection of the light rays in the light concentration section concerned, however meaning that this system has to be installed for each light concentration section, comprising one collecting mirror, with two deflection mirrors underneath, and the two lenses underneath said mirrors.

A power generation system according to the above in which a hydraulic jack system is comprised to move each of said vertical rigid projecting elements such that each of these are exactly on top of each other along the mast, such that said hydraulic jack system can be also installed for each component individually such that each component can be moved such that all of these are positioned exactly on top of each other along the tower mast.

A power generation system according to the above in which the edges of the lower surfaces of the lenses can also comprise a thin opaque material cover whose geometry projects vertically downwards from the bottom edges of the lenses which would stop any undesired light rays being refracted or deflected from the lenses towards the surroundings of the tower mast.

A power generation system according to the above in which said elements are made of a composite material, preferably carbon fibre reinforced plastics or glass fibre reinforced plastics, or a transparent material, preferably glass, transparent PVC or UPVC, or Plexiglas, or a plastic material, preferably UPVC, PVC, polyethylene or polypropylene, or a metallic material, preferably steel or an aluminium alloy, or cement, or concrete, or a combination of at least two of said materials.

A power generation system according to the above which is used to supply power and/or supply heat and/or supply water and/or comprised in mountainous areas, high altitude places, low altitude places, lake shores, sea shores, lakes, rivers, river sides, seas, canals, channels, canal shores, channel shores, ships, boats, submarines, trains, trucks, lorries, trailers, aircraft, air cushion ground effect vehicles, ground effect vehicles, maritime vehicles, naval vehicles, helicopters, airplanes, space planes, spacecraft, space stations, buildings, houses, factories, factory buildings, telecommunication towers, communication towers, airports, airport control towers, hospitals, tower blocks, towers, skyscrapers, quarries, mines, harbours, cranes, power stations, cooling towers, antennas, oceanographic vessels, icebreakers, offshore vessels, wind turbine offshore vessels, oil tankers, container vessels, solar thermal power generation offshore vessels, thermal power generation offshore vessels, offshore vessels, workboats, work vessels, tugs, marine vessels, oil rigs, oil rig towers, oil drilling towers, oil drilling vessels, industrial vessels, crane masts, cranes, wind turbines, wind turbine masts, signalling masts, signalling towers, railway signalling towers, railway signalling masts, traffic light masts, jack-up cranes, jack-up vessels, jack-up ships, jack-up rigs, rigs, barges, floating barges, sea barges, river barges, canal barges, railway catenary pillars, railway catenary masts, road traffic masts, road lighting masts, street lighting masts, pontoons, submersible pontoons, submersible barges, submersible vessels, submersible offshore vessels, bridges, bridge masts, dams, submersible wind turbine vessels, submersible solar thermal power generation vessels, desalination plants, offshore desalination plants, submersible desalination plants, semi-submersible desalination plants, semi-submersible barges, semi-submersible pontoons, semi-submersible vessels, semi-submersible offshore vessels, semi-submersible wind turbine vessels, semi-submersible solar thermal power generation vessels, icebreakers, shipyards, shipyard docks, dry docks, floating docks, semi-submersible docks, docks, harbours, dockyards.

Claims

Claims:

1) A power generation system which comprises a cylindrical convex lens at the bottom of a vertical pipe, such that the solar rays being deflected by flat inclined mirrors are concentration by the means of a convex lens mounted on top of a Plano-concave/concave lens, into a coherent light beam, which is then deflected by inclined flat mirrors, such that a finite number of units of said system are mounted one on top of each other on a tower mast(s), hence finally driving a cumulative solar ray beam downwards through said vertical pipe and then through said lens, whose curved surface deflects the solar light rays and simultaneously concentrates all of these to a point under said lens's lower surface, and converts water which was previously driven down through a separate pipe by gravity and driving a water turbine(s), into steam at the area of said light point, hence driving said steam upwards through another pipe by natural circulation and then driving a steam turbine(s).

2) A power generation system according to claim 1 in which said steam and water turbines each drive at least one generator/alternator which produces electricity.

3) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 2 which comprises said tower masts of claim 1 being positioned along the outer edge of a rotational wheel which makes part of a hydraulically and/or electrically actuated rotational orientation system to rotate and so orientate said tower masts of claim 1, preferably about a vertical rotation axis, according to the sun's position, such that said system's rotational wheel rotates said tower masts of claim 1 about an axis which is at the same position as the centre line of said vertical pipe of claim 1 where said solar rays are driven down to convert water into steam.

4) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 3 which comprises flat inclined

mirrors which collect the solar rays and deflect these vertically towards an upward- facing cylindrical convex lens, which concentrates said light rays towards a focal point, which are then refracted by an upward-facing cylindrical Plano-concave/concave lens, whose concave surface curvature geometries should preferably be higher than those of said convex lens, and whose upper concave surface is positioned above said focal point, into a vertical light beam, which is finally deflected by two equally inclined deflecting mirrors positioned in front of each other, into a vertical beam positioned in front of the next bottom flat inclined mirror and over the edge of the next lower convex lens, hence forming an each time stronger coherent light beam until entering into said vertical pipe of claim 1.

5) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 4 which comprises hydraulically or electric motor-actuated systems to orientate said mirrors of claim 4 to their required orientation in accordance to the sun's position, preferably in a rotational motion whose axis of rotation is perpendicular to said tower mast's height and to said mirrors' frontal view.

6) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 5 in which said water turbine and steam turbine of claim 1 should comprise its rotational axis positioned vertically or horizontally such that the rotational axis of said turbines should be equal or perpendicular to that of the generator s/alternators which are driven by said turbines.

7) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 6 which comprises a water flow

control gate at the system's entrance, hence controlling the flow of water into said pipe of claim 1 by gravity according to the intensity of the light beam which converts said water into steam.

8) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 7 which comprises beams which sustain each of said flat tilted mirrors of claim 4 separately at each level and/or both of said deflecting mirrors of claim 4 together at each level to the tower mast which sustains all mirrors on their required positions, such that said beams should preferably be orientated horizontally.

9) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 8 in which water flows by gravity from said water turbine of claim 1 to the point where said solar beam converts it into steam, either through a horizontal pipe, or through a vertical pipe prior of being driven horizontally, such that geothermal heat could be used at the bottom of said system's pipe in order to use said geothermal heat when solar light is minimal.

10) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 9 in which said horizontal pipe of claim 9 drives water by gravity to a distribution pipe such that, preferably after driving said water turbine of claim 1, said water is distributed to various pipes, each one driving water under a one of said tower masts of claim 1 in order to convert water into steam, such that said steam is then collected together by a collection pipe which drives the steam to another upward projecting pipe by natural circulation prior of driving said steam turbine of claim 1 and/or being used for heating applications and/or being released into the atmosphere.

11) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 10 which is comprised on a floating vessel, hence comprising said mast of claim 1 on the floating vessel's deck, preferably using the vessel's masts as a retrofitted system option, and in which the water flows downwards by gravity towards a lower positioned area in the vessel's hull, gets converted into steam by the light beam driven through a vertical pipe into the hull, and then drives a steam turbine and/or is being used for heating application purposes before being driven towards another pipe for evacuation, such that all of said systems of claims 1 to 10 are embedded inside the vessel's hull, hence creating a thermal solar power generation vessel.

12) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 11 which comprises said architecture of claim 11 in a wind power generation vessel, such that said mirrors of claim 4 would be attached using the masts of the wind turbine(s) as said tower masts of claim 1, hence creating a multifunctional and multisource power generation vessel.

13) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 12 which comprises a salt evacuation pipe at the bottom pipe area where liquid water is converted into steam if said water comes from the sea in the case that said system would be situated in a ship or near the sea.

14) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 13 in which the steam is evacuated through a cooling tower, or through a pipe which drives said steam to an external source of liquid water which should preferably be that from which the latter was initially taken into the system, or through a pipe which is cooled by a secondary cooling water circuit, or through a ship's chimneys/exhaust pipes.

15) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 14 in which said systems of claims 1 to 14 are positioned either at or above ground level, or below ground level with exception of said tower masts of claim 1 and preferably also said steam evacuation pipe.

16) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 15 in which said steam can either be used to drive a steam turbine or not, prior of being driven through a pipe above ground or underground towards residential and/or industrial areas for heating and/or industrial purposes.

17) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 16 which can be positioned in a

mountainous region and/or in an elevated terrain, in which water can be driven into the system by gravity from an elevated terrain positioned at high altitude by gravity and/or by gravity in said system architecture comprised on claims 1 to 16.

18) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 17 which on each of said tower masts of claim 1, comprises at least 20, preferably 50, more preferably 100 and most preferably 1000 of said flat inclined mirrors of claim 4, positioned on top of each other along with the corresponding inclined deflecting mirrors of claim 4. 19) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 18 which is comprised in a floating vessel which should preferably be offshore and/or attached to the canal floor, channel floor, seafloor, river floor or lake floor by the manes of jacks, cables, ropes or structural beams, such that it does not change in attitude or position due to any forces generated by waves and/or currents, and which comprises said tower masts of claim 1 on said vessel's upper surface and said system architecture of claim 1 embedded in said vessel's hull and/or on said vessel's upper surface, hence using the water on which it floats and hence creating a solar thermal power generation vessel.

20) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 19 which comprises an electronic control unit which controls the orientation and rotation of said tower masts of claim 1 and said mirrors of claim 4 by calculating the sun's position, and hence the required orientations of said mirrors of claim 4 and said tower masts of claim 1 in accordance to the local time and sending commands to these, which should preferably be assisted by a gyroscopic system if said power generation system is comprised in said vessels of claims 11, 12 and 19.

21) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 20 which is comprised beside a river, sea, lake, channel or canal, or on a sea, lake, river, channel or canal if comprised in or on said floating vessels of claims 11, 12 and 19.

22) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 21 in which the lowest positioned of said upward facing convex and Plano-concave/concave lenses of claim 4 comprise their respective curvature profiles along a projecting direction which is parallel to the surface of said mirrors of claim 4, hence making said two lowest positioned lenses not

cylindrical, such that the light beams are refracted an concentrated in a lined light beam whose dimensions are small enough to fully enter into said vertical pipe of claim 1. 23) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 22 which is comprised in an offshore vessel whose hull is at least partially submerged and which is kept on its required position by a set of at least two cables which are attached to the seabed, lake bed, canal bed, channel bed, or river bed, or to at least one heavy element each which is laid on said beds, such that said cables are attached to a rotational wheel which in turn connects to a rotational system which rotates said vessel along a plane which is parallel to the water surface and about said wheel according to the sun's orientation by comprising motors exerting a rotational force on said wheel, laterally orientated marine thrusters, or both, such that the surfaces said mirrors of claim 4 are constantly perpendicular to the solar rays without the need of rotating each of said masts of claim 1.

24) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 23 in which said steam is condensed by projecting the exit pipe through a separate water channel, preferably through the water area from which the liquid water is collected into the system, such that the resulting liquid water can be used as desalinated water for applications such as domestic applications.

25) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 24 which comprises a sensor which is positioned on any area which is freely exposed to the sun, preferably on top of said masts of claim 1 , and which measures the intensity of the solar rays, such that the recorded data is transmitted to a computer which calculates the required water flow rate to be converted into steam, such that said computer controls said water flow control gate of claim 7 by sending commands to the actuators of said water flow control gate of claim 7 either via wire or wirelessly.

26) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 25 in which the cross-sectional

diameters of said Plano-concave/concave lenses of claim 4 have smaller cross-sectional diameters than said convex lenses of claim 4. 27) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 26 in which said vertical pipe of claim 1 which drives the concentrated light rays downwards to heat the water does not need to comprise said lens of claim 4 at the bottom of said pipe, such that a flat transparent surface which covers the top of said pipe of claim 1 , or which is positioned at the bottom and/or at the top of said pipe of claim 1 is sufficient in order to avoid undesired dirt and residue falling into said pipe of claim 1.

28) A power generation system according claims 1 to 27 in which said water pipes of claim 10 can comprise a geometry such that their cross-sectional area view from the top is greater at the area of contact of the concentrated light rays with the flowing water, hence driving the water to flow slower and in the form of a thin water film in said area, and hence maximising heat transfer and evaporation efficiency.

29) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 28 which comprises electrical

resistances being positioned along said tower masts of claim 1 and also positioned such that these make contact with the mirrors, the lenses, and the respective connecting elements of claims 1 to 4, which connect said outer components to said tower mast, such that said electrical resistances form a de-icing system altogether for the system to operate in freezing weather conditions.

30) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 29 which comprises an orientation system which can be installed at each of the main external elements, comprising the mirrors, the lenses, and the connecting elements of claims 1 to 4, such that in case of strong winds in adverse weather conditions, said tower masts will be deflected, and hence electrical motors will be changing the orientation of said crucial elements relative to their respective tower mast position along the x, y and z axis in order to make sure that the light rays are mirrored, deflected, refracted and concentrated into the required direction. 31) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 30 in which said orientation system of claim 30 could also be attached to a vertical projecting rigid element which connects said mirrors, said lenses, and said connecting elements of claims 1 to 4 to said vertical rigid element, such that in the case of high winds, the components will not move and/or change orientation about each other, hence avoiding any deflection of the light rays in the light concentration section concerned, however meaning that this system has to be installed for each light concentration section, comprising one collecting mirror of claims

1 to 4, with two deflection mirrors of claims 1 to 4 underneath, and the two lenses of claims 1 to 4 underneath said mirrors.

32) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 31 in which a hydraulic jack system is comprised to move each of said vertical rigid projecting elements of claim 31 such that each of these are exactly on top of each other along said mast of claim 1 , such that said hydraulic jack system can be also installed for each component of claims 1 to 4 individually such that each of said components of claims 1 to 4 can be moved such that all of these are positioned exactly on top of each other along said tower mast of claim 1.

33) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 32 in which the edges of the lower surfaces of said lenses of claims 1 to 4 can also comprise a thin opaque material cover whose geometry projects vertically downwards from the bottom edges of the lenses which would stop any undesired light rays being refracted or deflected from the lenses towards the surroundings of the tower mast.

34) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 33 in which said elements of claims 1 to 33 are made of a composite material, preferably carbon fibre reinforced plastics or glass fibre reinforced plastics, or a transparent material, preferably glass, transparent PVC or UPVC, or Plexiglas, or a plastic material, preferably UPVC, PVC, polyethylene or polypropylene, or a metallic material, preferably steel or an aluminium alloy, or cement, or concrete, or a combination of at least two of said materials.

35) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 34 which is used to supply power and/or supply heat and/or supply water and/or comprised in mountainous areas, high altitude places, low altitude places, lake shores, sea shores, lakes, rivers, river sides, seas, canals, channels, canal shores, channel shores, ships, boats, submarines, trains, trucks, lorries, trailers, aircraft, air cushion ground effect vehicles, ground effect vehicles, maritime vehicles, naval vehicles, helicopters, airplanes, space planes, spacecraft, space stations, buildings, houses, factories, factory buildings, telecommunication towers, communication towers, airports, airport control towers, hospitals, tower blocks, towers, skyscrapers, quarries, mines, harbours, cranes, power stations, cooling towers, antennas, oceanographic vessels, icebreakers, offshore vessels, wind turbine offshore vessels, oil tankers, container vessels, solar thermal power generation offshore vessels, thermal power generation offshore vessels, offshore vessels, workboats, work vessels, tugs, marine vessels, oil rigs, oil rig towers, oil drilling towers, oil drilling vessels, industrial vessels, crane masts, cranes, wind turbines, wind turbine masts, signalling masts, signalling towers, railway signalling towers, railway signalling masts, traffic light masts, jack-up cranes, jack-up vessels, jack-up ships, jack-up rigs, rigs, barges, floating barges, sea barges, river barges, canal barges, railway catenary pillars, railway catenary masts, road traffic masts, road lighting masts, street lighting masts, pontoons, submersible pontoons, submersible barges, submersible vessels, submersible offshore vessels, bridges, bridge masts, dams, submersible wind turbine vessels, submersible solar thermal power generation vessels, desalination plants, offshore desalination plants, submersible desalination plants, semi-submersible desalination plants, semi-submersible barges, semi- submersible pontoons, semi-submersible vessels, semi-submersible offshore vessels, semi-submersible wind turbine vessels, semi-submersible solar thermal power generation vessels, icebreakers, shipyards, shipyard docks, dry docks, floating docks, semi- submersible docks, docks, harbours, dockyards.