Why not Hybrid Power Stations?

Its always either or...isnt it? When it comes to generating electricity all power stations use only ONE means to this end.

Why is that?

Why cant a natural gas generating plant also use the sun to heat the boilers during daylight hours...thus providing continuous power 24/7 with a greatly reduced fuel bill.

 

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Hey it already exists...the only ONE I could find!

http://www.gizmag.com/first-solarcoal-hybrid-power-station/15728/picture/117808/

 

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http://www.physorg.com/news198135102.html

 

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Isn't it amazing what you can accomplish just by trying to be more efficient?

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Yes! Go Colorado!

 

Whoa...heres another hybrid power generation idea.

Combination tidal and wind turbine towers!

Just imagine these tidal towers extending up over a hundred feet above the sea level with wind turbines.
http://www.gizmag.com/go/5231/picture/20335/

The point here is maximize the return on the cost of installation.

 

Because a combined-cycle thermal plant can be made to be incredibly efficient - but it has to have a very specific, continuous and controlled method of heat input.

It can. But in terms of overall efficiency, you would be better off with a well-designed combined cycle thermal plant operating at baseline and an intermittent solar or wind system. If you need to store that power for periods of low generation and high demand, pumped storage is a good option.