Cosin Solar completes heliostats on former Three Gorges CSP project

The 100 MW Tower CSP project, Jinta ZhongGuang was originally planned by the largest renewable energy firm in the world, Three Gorges Renewables, that built the 22 GW Three Gorges Dam. Cosin Solar bought the project from them after they failed to meet a milestone, and is now constructing it. Source: Cosin Solar On December …

Published at Journal of Cleaner Production – Sustainable assessment of an integrated energy system coupled with solar thermochemical cycle

Abstract The energy transition globally makes the development of carbon-free and low-carbon fuels obligatory as these fuels cannot only be utilized as energy carriers but also for long-term energy storage. This paper presents the energy, technoeconomic, and environmental assessment of a new hybrid renewable energy integrated system with a novel concept of the thermochemical cycle …

Massive grid-scale energy storage for next-generation concentrated solar power

The cost of renewable energy has significantly decreased in recent years, which marks the way towards a fully renewable and sustainable future. However, this energy transition is not possible without massive grid-scale energy storage technology since most of the renewable energies are highly variable. In areas with a high solar resource, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) …

US Department of Energy lays out roadmap for LPO funding

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) provides access to debt capital for high-impact energy and manufacturing projects. Over more than a decade, LPO has developed a strong understanding of what makes a project more likely to advance through LPO’s processes, as well as the areas that commonly slow down or stop projects in the process. …

Published at Journal of Solar Engineering – Compilation of a Solar Mirror Materials Database and an Analysis of Natural and Accelerated Mirror Exposure and Degradation

Abstract: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has been conducting exposure experiments on solar reflectors for over four decades. Thousands of mirror samples from over one hundred suppliers have been exposed to and monitored in a range of relevant environments. These test conditions include outdoor test settings and several controlled laboratory environments. These samples have …

Published at Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews – Phase change material (PCM) candidates for latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) in concentrated solar power (CSP) based thermal applications – A review

Abstract: Solar energy offers over 2,945,926 TWh/year of global Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) potential, that can be used to substitute fossil fuels in power generation and mitigate 2.1 GtCO2 of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations (UN). Thermal energy storage (TES) is required in CSP plants to improve dispatchability, reliability, efficiency, and economy. Of …

Published at Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews – Massive grid-scale energy storage for next-generation concentrated solar power: A review of the potential emerging concepts

The cost of renewable energy has significantly decreased in recent years, which marks the way towards a fully renewable and sustainable future. However, this energy transition is not possible without massive grid-scale energy storage technology since most of the renewable energies are highly variable. In areas with a high solar resource, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) can play a crucial …

A Comprehensive Comparison Of Photovoltaic (PV) And Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Technologies In Terms Of Efficiency, Cost, And Environmental Footprint

The quest for sustainable and clean energy sources has propelled the development of various solar technologies to harness the abundant energy radiating from the sun. Among these technologies, Photovoltaic (PV) and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems have emerged as promising solutions, each with its unique characteristics and applications. This column delves into a detailed comparison …

Published at Energy Conversion and Management – Thermodynamic and economic analysis of a multi-energy complementary distributed CCHP system coupled with solar thermochemistry and active energy storage regulation process

Abstract: The combination of distributed energy systems (DES) and solar energy is considered a vital measure to save the usage of fossil energy. A new distributed combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) system integrated with solar thermochemistry (STC) and energy storage (ES) units is proposed. The methane steam reforming (MSR) reaction is driven by solar energy to …

The Future Is Bright for Turning Sunlight Into Sustainable Jet Fuel

The aviation sector has charted a course to decarbonize itself – and investors see opportunity. According to BNEF, startups with a focus on low-carbon aviation technology raised $4.6 billion in 2022, and another $1.21 billion was added to that tally in the first half of 2023. Among venture capital and private equity investments, sustainable aviation …