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Science 12 January 1979:
Vol. 203. no. 4376, pp. 167 - 168
DOI: 10.1126/science.203.4376.167
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Articles

Thermoclines: A Solar Thermal Energy Resource for Enhanced Hydroelectric Power Production

J. L. MCNICHOLS 1, W. S. GINELL 1, and J. S. CORY 2

1 McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company, Huntington Beach, California 92647
2 Cory Laboratories, Escondido, California 92025

The solar thermal energy stored in hydroelectric reservoir thermoclines is very large and greatly exceeds the gravitational hydroenergy of the surface water, even after limitations arising from the second law of thermodynamics have been taken into account. Greatly enhanced power production can be obtained at present hydroelectric facilities if heat engines are adapted to exploit this large thermal energy resource.

Submitted on June 12, 1978
Revised on August 28, 1978


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Centennial.
(1980)
Science 208, 1293
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