This work outlines the conceptualization, design, fabrication and parameters that influence the operation of direct hybridisation of solar parabolic dishes with the thermal energy storage in phase change material (PCM) and hybrid Stirling engine. This mathematical method consists of two different sizes of parabolic dishes, PCM-storage and hybrid Stirling engine. The hybrid Stirling engine was used reflective heat to electrical energy in direct and indirect ways. The direct way involved using the sunrays directly from the parabolic dishes into the engine to generate energy. This was done simultaneously while charging the PCM-storage system for later use. For the indirect way, stored heat energy in the PCM - storage was used to supply heat energy to the Stirling engine for applications at night. This project has shown positive steps towards the future of solar thermal technology; one major finding and benefit from this design is that energy generated during the day can be stored for applications during the night when there is no solar radiation. The design also offers the flexibility of adjusting storage area for more space. Moreover, the entire system is affordable, less cumbersome, and with greater ease of movement. The constant demand for energy is increasing day after day, which led to the energy crisis that the world is facing today. It is expected that this crisis could increase if a radical solution is not taken to address the growing influence of fossil fuel, and this fossil fuels may not last forever while the world is still experiencing growing hunger for energy. With the change in the cost of fossil fuels daily and the current greenhouse effect, it is becoming more apparent to look at renewable energy sources as possible solutions to the problem. To date, the cost effectiveness of the application of solar energy is still largely expensive as compared to fossil fuels. Arab Gulf countries are now making future plans to reduce the demand of fossil fuel for energy and focus on solar energy as the future energy resource because of its privileged position with high solar radiation within the region. Oman is one of these countries, with an energy future plan called “the future of clean energy in 2050”, and this plan intends to maximise the benefits from solar energy in power generation(Banos et al., 2011, Sesto and Casale, 1998, Krewitt et al., 2009). The objective of this research was to design a novel solar thermal technology and solar thermal storage for continuous power generation throughout a given day. The main aim of this research is to explore the possibility of continuous power generation, storage, and consumption, irrespective of the time of the day, using the proposed designs for solar thermal prototypes. The design of the solar thermal prototype model was achieved using series of steady state thermodynamic equations, gas transfer temperature dependent equations, and heat stored in PCM and power generation by Stirling engine.

This work outlines the conceptualization, design, fabrication and parameters that influence the operation of direct hybridisation of solar parabolic dishes with the thermal energy storage in phase change material (PCM) and hybrid Stirling engine. This mathematical method consists of two differe...