Category: Concentrating Solar Power

Abstract: The study analyzes an innovative concentrating solar thermal system aimed at the direct production of hot air for industrial applications. Air is heated inside linear Fresnel collectors in an open to atmosphere circuit, not requiring the use of a primary heat transfer fluid and a heat exchanger, with their associated cost and maintenance. Matching …

Continue reading “Published at Energy – Turbo-assisted direct solar air heater for medium temperature industrial processes using Linear Fresnel Collectors. Assessment on daily and yearly basis”

Abstract: Among the solar thermal technologies, the Linear Fresnel collector can provide solar heat for industrial processes in the medium temperature range of 150–400 °C. Hot air is widely used as a process medium in several industrial processes, such as drying, curing, and cooking. Although steam, pressurized water, and thermal oil are widely used heat …

Continue reading “Published at Thermal Science and Enginering Progress – Techno-economic assessment of a concentrating solar air heater and packed-bed thermal energy storage for medium-temperature industrial process heat”

Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive experimental investigation into the convective heat losses of a semi-cylindrical cavity receiver, a geometry that holds considerable promise but has been inadequately explored in the context of parabolic trough concentrated solar power systems. The research systematically examines the impact of key operational and geometric parameters, including inclination angle, input …

Continue reading “Published at Solar Energy – Effects of aperture configurations on heat losses in concentrated solar power systems: An experimental study for a semi-cylindrical cavity receiver”

Abstract: Photoelectrochemical (PEC) processes offer several pathways to decarbonisation, but few studies have demonstrated technology readiness levels (TRLs) beyond 4 and 5. Scaling challenges and the high levelised cost of energy of current PEC processes can be addressed by integrating concentrating solar optics. However, PEC research is primarily focused on materials development and reactor engineering, …

Continue reading “Published at Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews – A systems engineering review on the integration of solar concentrators with photoelectrochemical processes”