ABSTRACT
The Solar thermal electricity (STE) design which is the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion-Offshore Solar Pond Hybrid (OTEC–OSP), is the result for lowest possible cost designs for a STE plant. The OTEC–OSP plant outline is designed for construction at coasts in desert areas and tropical areas because of ample available solar intensity. The working principle of solar ponds is based on the capture of solar radiation in a salt solution. Energy efficiency is considered a measure for economic appropriateness. Reaching high efficiencies is essential for (fossil) fuel-consuming power plants but not necessarily for STE plants. Concentrating solar power is a term for a group of STE technologies that use a reflective surface for concentrating solar irradiation on an absorber. The working principle is similar to that of a magnifying glass.
