The energy consumption on global scale is continuously increasing, resulting in rapid use of energy resources available. Solar chimney power generation technology hence began to get growing attention as its basic model needs no depleting resources like fossil fuels for its functioning but only uses sunlight and air as a medium. It takes the advantage of the chimney effect and the temperature difference in the collector that produces negative pressure to cause the airflow in the system, converting solar energy into mechanical energy in order to drive the air turbine generator situated at the base of the chimney. Solar Chimney Power Plant (SCPP) brings together the solar thermal technology, thermal storage technology, chimney technology and air turbine power generation technology. However, studies have shown that even if the chimney is as high as 1000 m, the efficiency achievable is only around 3%. Hence, this review paper intents to put together the new technological advancement that aims to improve the efficiency of SCPP.
Experimental investigation of the effect of wind speed and wind direction on a solar chimney power plant
