Solar Ponds
Maya Braun (Israel)
Adam Lipecz (Hungary)
Samuel Nel·lo Deakin (Spain)
Featuring:
The Zebra Layer
What is a solar pond?
 A pool of saltwater
which acts as a largescale solar thermal
energy collector
 It includes an integral
heat storage for
supplying thermal
energy
How do solar ponds produce
electricity
The water in the
lowest layer heats up
to ≈90°C
The fluid inside the
pipes turns into
steam
The steam moves the
turbine
The turbine produces
electricity
Essential requirements for
a solar pond
Space
Salt
Water
Sun
Energy Comparison
Energy Source
Oil
Coal
Generating Cost Range of Power
(Euro per kWh)
0.25
1kW-10MW
0.03
1MW-1GW
Gas
Solar PV
Wind
0.03
0.80
0.07
1MW-1GW
10W-10MW
100W-100MW
Biomass
Solar Pond
0.04
0.133
1kW-150MW
1kW-5MW (unlimited)
Advantages
 Environment friendly energy – no pollution!
 Reliable energy source
 Stores heat, so it can be used 24/7/365
 Can be constructed according to requirements
 Low maintenance costs
Disadvantages
 Localized
 Low efficiency
 Space availability
 Salt and water supply
Efficiency
Low efficiency due to:
o Heat losses
o Bottom losses
o Top losses
o Radiation losses
Our Solution Is…
Improving the efficiency!
Decreasing the heat losses (bottom & sides)
The Zebra Layer®
All In One solution
Insulation + heat exchanging pipes
People can easily and fast build new Solar ponds
Just lay down the foil
Create the salinity gradient
Your Solar pond is ready to use!
Really cheap
Conclusions
Reasons of solar ponds
failure
Complicated installation
Not efficient enough
(only 17%)
Our “zebra layer” solar
pond
Easy to build
MORE EFFICIENT!!!
We hope and believe that solar ponds have
the potential to become an important source
of energy in certain areas, and that the zebra
layer will improve their functioning.