Category: News

Abstract Solar thermal energy is a promising renewable energy resource that provides sustainable energy. Due to their effectiveness as solar thermal collectors, parabolic dish collectors are commonly used in various thermal energy system applications. Hybrid designs of parabolic dish cavity receivers are an approach for enhancing their thermal efficiency. Moreover, the thermal losses of the …

Continue reading “Published at Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells – Performance enhancement of a parabolic dish collector with a novel receiver assisted with a secondary reflector”

Abstract Honeycomb volumetric solar receivers have emerged as promising candidates for concentrating solar power applications because of their thermal and mechanical properties, enabling the efficient heating of fluids. Despite their potential, challenges remain in optimizing channel design and operating conditions to enhance thermodynamic performance. This study identifies design and operating configurations that maximize the thermodynamic …

Continue reading “Published at Case Studies in Thermal Engineering – Multi-objective optimization on thermo-structural performance of honeycomb absorbers for concentrated solar power systems”

Abstract Star-shaped receivers represent a novel receiver concept to increase performance and reduce cost of solar tower plants, boosting the competitiveness of these renewable and dispatchable power production technology. This article presents a comprehensive analysis of star-shaped receivers, which, due to their unique geometry, provide lower optical and thermal losses, increased lifetime, and reduced construction …

Continue reading “Published at Applied Energy – Enhancing solar tower competitiveness with star-shaped receivers”

Abstract: Facing the challenges of energy crisis and climate change, solar-to-fuel is recognized as a promising approach to promote renewable energy as an alternative to fossil energy. We have proposed a solar-to-fuel system that adopts the spectral beam splitting method to couple photovoltaic and thermochemical conversions, enabling the simultaneous production of electricity and solar fuel …

Continue reading “Published at Applied Thermal Engineering – Daily operation and regulation of a photovoltaic-thermochemical hybrid solar system for full-spectrum solar fuel production”

Abstract Two-step thermochemical cycles are efficient for producing H2 with solar energy, however, they face challenges with thermal losses at high temperatures needed for metal oxide reduction. This study introduces the first experimental demonstration of a thermo-electrochemical cycle for water splitting using ceria (CeO2). By applying electrical potential CeO2 is reduced at temperatures under 1000 …

Continue reading “Published at International Journal of Hydrogen Energy – Thermo-electrochemical hydrogen production based on ceria”