This paper presents a review of exergy analysis of solar thermal systems. It includes both various types of solar collectors and various applications of solar thermal systems. As solar collectors are an important technology when sustainability is considered, exergy analysis, which gives a more representative performance evaluation, is a valuable method to evaluate and compare possible configurations of these systems. It should be noted that this review is based on literature published in the last two years

Storage of electricity from fluctuating renewable energy sources has become one of the predominant challenges in future energy systems. A novel system comprises the combination of a heat pump and an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) with a simple hot water storage tank. The heat pump upgrades low temperature heat with excess power. The upgraded heat can drive an Organic Rankine Process using the heat pump in reverse operation mode. This approach allows a comparably efficient storage of excess electricity. Waste heat sources usually do not qualify for electricity production even with ORC processes due to low temperatures. Upgrading the temperature of the waste heat by means of excess electricity makes the use of an ORC feasible in order to recover the electricity input. Thermodynamic cycle simulations with IPSEpro software outline that the process provides power-to-power efficiencies in a range of 50% for small-scale applications based on commercially available heat pump components. The isentropic efficiency of compressors/expanders plays a crucial role on the system performance. Applications of the proposed cycle in the megawatt range with more efficient turbines and dynamic compressors will therefore increase the power-to-power efficiency to above 70%.