SWISS signs long-term offtake agreement for solar jet fuel from Synhelion

Press Release Zurich, December 16, 2025 Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and Swiss cleantech company Synhelion have signed a long-term offtake agreement for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). From 2027, SWISS will purchase at least 200 tons of solar jet fuel from Synhelion annually, pioneering the use of this innovative fuel in civil aviation. The agreement …

Published at Solar Energy – Effects of concentrated solar–integrated packed-bed thermal energy storage operation on solid oxide electrolysis cell performance

Abstract: The use of renewable energy in the context of green hydrogen production requires suitable energy storage technologies to compensate for intermittent wind and solar resources. High-temperature electrolysis is a promising way to produce hydrogen as it has the highest electrical efficiency by using steam instead of liquid water compared to low temperature electrolysis. Here, …

Published at Applied Thermal Engineering – Dynamic heat transfer model for thermal energy storage using metal wool–phase change material composites

Abstract: Decarbonisation of the energy sector is critical for climate change mitigation, with the power sector remaining a major contributor to global emissions. Concentrating solar power (CSP) technology combined with thermal energy storage (TES) presents a promising solution to overcome this challenge. TES systems, particularly those utilising phase change materials (PCMs), offer efficient energy storage …

Published at Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assesments – On-sun performance and stability of graphene nanofluids in concentrating direct absorption solar collectors

Abstract: The Performances of direct absorption solar collectors (DASC) are limited by the stability of the nanofluid’s optical properties. This study investigates the performance and long-term stability of a graphene-based nanofluid under real on-sun operating conditions using an experimental parabolic trough pilot. The on-sun experiments were complemented with a detailed off-sun experimental evaluation of the …

Aluminum melted with Annular Fresnel solar at over 700°C

Pour of molten alumimum melted with Annular Fresnel solar collectors Solar researchers at Fraunhofer Chile have designed, built, and tested a complete solar collector and crucible system for melting and recycling aluminum, heated by Annular Fresnel solar collectors. In Annular Fresnel, each mirror is flat, like a Fresnel mirror, but arranged in a circle, enabling …

Tallying a year’s sun on solar calcination with sCO2 cycles

solar tower sCO2 cycle calcination Solar calcination + sCO2 cycle In a year-round California-based study, a Chilean research team has continued to advance a potentially more cost-effective and efficient form of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) that leverages limestone’s heat generation during calcination. In this new solar tower form of CSP, the solar receiver in the …

Published at Applied Energy – A review of the performance and application of molten salt-based phase change materials in sustainable thermal energy storage at medium and high temperatures

Abstract: Growing energy demand and environmental pollution issues are placing greater demands on sustainable thermal energy storage. Research indicates that molten salt phase change materials (MSPCMs) represent a promising alternative for thermal energy storage (TES), effectively addressing the energy supply-demand imbalance. These salts typically have a range of excellent properties, such as high energy storage …

Published at Chemical Engineering Journal – Thermodynamic modeling of countercurrent chemical looping reverse water gas shift process for redox material screening

Abstract: The reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction is a key pathway for CO2 utilization, particularly within Power-to-X process chains aimed at sustainable fuel and chemical production. Countercurrent chemical looping (CL-RWGS) using non-stoichiometric oxides can overcome equilibrium limitations of conventional RWGS reactors, enabling significantly higher CO2 conversions. However, modeling the limiting performance of such systems …

Published at Applied Thermal Engineering – A technology review of pumped thermal energy storage based on CO2 cycles

Abstract: Pumped thermal energy storage (PTES) is an innovative physical energy storage technology that converts surplus electricity into heat, stores it in thermal reservoirs, and reconverts it into electricity when needed. When CO2 is employed as the working fluid, PTES can offer advantages of potentially high round-trip efficiency, compact system equipment, and good operational flexibility …

Wei Wu’s startup Heatrix wins the 17th IDEE Förderpreis

Dr.-Ing. Wei Wu (born 1983) is the founder and managing director of Heatrix, a Bremen-based startup that she co-established with her co-founder, Dr.-Ing. Stefan Gasow-Lux. With a degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Stuttgart and a doctorate in energy technology from RWTH Aachen, she contributes extensive technical expertise. During her doctoral research at …