Solar thermal power generation using multiple working fluids in a rankine cycle

A method for power generation using solar thermal power, comprising:

• heating a first thermal transfer fluid using a first heat source;
• heating a second thermal transfer fluid using a second heat source to a temperature lower than the temperature of the first thermal transfer fluid heated by the first heat source;
• transferring heat to a first working fluid within a first cycle using the first thermal transfer fluid;
• and
• transferring heat to a second working fluid within a second cycle using the second thermal transfer fluid and the first working fluid.

A method for solar thermal power generation comprising:

• providing a steam cycle coupled to a first power generator and a selective generator bypass configured to enable the steam within the steam cycle to bypass the first power generator;
• providing an ORC cycle coupled to a second power generator;
• transferring heat from the steam cycle to the ORC cycle within a multi-fluid heat exchanger;
• and
• controlling the selective generator bypass to cause the steam within the steam cycle to bypass the first power generator when the temperature of the steam within the steam cycle does not reach a predetermined temperature.

A solar thermal power generation system comprising:

• a first heat transfer fluid;
• a second heat transfer fluid;
• and
• an organic Rankine cycle working fluid,
• wherein the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid transfer heat to the organic Rankine cycle working fluid within a multi-fluid heat exchanger.