Published at Energies – A Novel Dual Receiver–Storage Design for Concentrating Solar Thermal Plants Using Beam-Down Optics

Abstract: Advanced power cycles—such as the supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) cycle—have the potential to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of concentrated solar thermal power (CST) plants by significantly boosting their overall solar-to-electric efficiency. To successfully integrate these cycles into CST plants, the industry may need to transition away from liquid working fluids (e.g., …

Fraunhofer Chile to develop a Concentrated Solar Power system to recycle aluminum

The project, which will be carried out by researchers from Fraunhofer Chile with support from the Crea y Valida Fund of the government agency CORFO, proposes to develop and validate a solar thermal concentration system, capable of reaching and maintaining temperatures that allow the smelting of aluminum for its recycling. “We have designed a compact, …

The Evolution of Concentrated Solar Power: A Brief History and Future Outlook

The evolution of solar thermal energy has been a fascinating journey, with its roots dating back to ancient civilizations and its future looking brighter than ever. Solar thermal energy, which harnesses the sun’s heat to produce electricity, has come a long way since its early days. As we continue to seek out cleaner, more sustainable …

Fraunhofer Chile to develop a solar concentration system to recycle aluminum

The project, which will be carried out by researchers from Fraunhofer Chile with support from the Crea y Valida Fund of the government agency CORFO, proposes to develop and validate a solar thermal concentration system, capable of reaching and maintaining temperatures that allow the smelting of aluminum for its recycling. “We have designed a compact, …

Registration open for September: SFERA-III Doctoral Colloquium and Summer School

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗔-𝗜𝗜𝗜 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 11 – 15 September 2023 Focus topic summer school: Smart CSP: how smart tools, devices and software can help improve the design and operation of concentrating solar power technologies. DLR Cologne / Hybrid event The doctoral colloquium is open to SFERA-III members, while the …

Integrated Solar Thermal Hybrid Power Plants: A Promising Solution for Developing Countries

Integrated solar thermal hybrid power plants are emerging as a promising solution for developing countries to meet their growing energy demands while addressing the global challenge of climate change. These innovative power plants combine the best of both worlds: the efficiency and reliability of conventional thermal power generation with the environmental benefits of solar energy. …

DOE awards $2.7M to U Florida, Synhelion to support production of hydrogen from concentrated solar power

Synhelion and its partner the University of Florida announced that their joint project has been awarded US$2.7 million from the US Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO). The project aims to accelerate the large-scale development and deployment of concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) technology to produce green hydrogen for industrial decarbonization and electric …

US DOE funds Synhelion to scale up its solar thermal hydrogen

Solar hydrogen is a component of the thermochemical solar fuels that Synhelion is developing commercially, such as aviation fuel Synhelion’s proprietary solar receiver is capable of temperatures above 1,500°C to perform thermochemistry to manufacture a variety of solar fuels such as jet fuel for aviation The solar thermal green hydrogen technology beginning to be commercialized …

AELIUS to champion green ammonia for China’s shipping

Pioneering the Seas: Xavier Lara at AELIUS Energies to champion sustainable shipping with green ammonia before the world’s largest shipbuilding industry AELIUS Green ammonia Converting global shipping to run on green ammonia instead of heavy fuel oil is an idea whose time has come, according to the CEO of the international energy consultancy AELIUS Energies …

Solar-Thermal Power and Industrial Processes Basics

Solar-thermal power can replace fossil fuels in a wide variety of industrial applications, including petroleum refining, chemical production, iron and steel, cement, and the food and beverage industries, which account for 15% of the U.S. the economy’s total carbon dioxide (CO2)  emissions. Heat is vital to the production of almost everything we use on a daily …