ABSTRACT
Solar energy conversion into electricity can be rendered by either using photovoltaics or concentrating solar power (CSP). This chapter highlights one of the most promising and less discussed subjects entitled applications of nanofluids particularly in CSP systems. It introduces mechanisms of heat transfer improvement in such systems along with the most used assessment criteria to measure the performance of nanofluid based systems. In CSP technologies, increasing the overall thermal efficiency is crucial challenge to make them more economically competitive. Nanotechnology studies matter at atomic or molecular levels. Over other materials, solid metals possess higher heat transfer effectiveness. The transmittance of nanofluids changes with path depth, nature of base fluid, particle size, and fractional volume of nanoparticles. The IEA’s 2050 target has stimulated significant development in various CSP technologies including solar power tower, parabolic dish, parabolic trough, and linear Fresnel reflector systems. The central theme of these emerging technologies is to exploit and transfer solar thermal energy through heat transfer fluids.
