Category: Recently Published CSP Papers in Journals

Abstract: With the increasing application of Integrated Energy Systems (IES), more effective utilization of renewable energy and diversification of energy utilization forms have become urgent issues to address. IES faces challenges in the co-optimization of deep carbon reduction and multi-energy complementarity. This paper proposes a Carbon-Sequestration Geothermal-Integrated Solar Energy System (SGIES) that integrates Concentrated Solar …

Continue reading “Published at Applied Thermal Engineering – Optimal operation of an integrated energy system for a concentrated solar power plant based on a supercritical CO2 plume heat pump”

Abstract: Concentrated solar thermal (CST) systems based on solid particle receivers demand granular materials that combine mechanical resilience, stable flow behaviour, and favourable thermophysical properties at high operating temperatures. Although optical performance has received extensive attention in the recent literature, the mechanical attrition kinetics, flowability characteristics, and thermophysical property evolution of waste-derived particles remain insufficiently …

Continue reading “Published at Solar Energy – Development and durability assessment of recycled Waste-Derived particles for concentrated solar thermal applications”

Abstract: Volumetric solar receivers perform a critical role in high-efficiency concentrated solar power systems, where effective absorption and conversion of concentrated solar radiation directly determine overall performance. This study presents a fully coupled pore-scale modeling framework that integrates Monte Carlo ray tracing with direct hydrothermal simulations on silicon carbide () and alumina () ceramic foam …

Continue reading “Published at Energy Conversion and Management – Optical and thermal performance analysis of ceramic foam solar receivers in parabolic dish solar collector assemblies: The role of collector geometrical and optical parameters and absorber and coating materials”

Abstract: As solar tower systems continue to develop towards larger scales, it is necessary to configure dual-tower and triple-tower fields with higher heat collection capacities. This paper designs and optimizes the performance of dual-tower and triple-tower heliostat fields. Two field arrangement strategies are employed to alter the distance between towers and results show that the …

Continue reading “Published at Renewable Energy – Design and performance optimization of dual-tower and triple-tower heliostat fields”

Abstract: Integrating renewable energy is critical for maintaining grid stability while striving towards global climate goals. Concentrating solar power tower plants offer a promising solution but their competitiveness is currently hindered by high operational costs, limited data availability and slow adoption of emerging technologies. To address these barriers, here we introduce PAINT, a FAIR (findable, …

Continue reading “Published at Nature Energy – The PAINT database for operational concentrating solar power plant data following FAIR data principles”

Abstract: Solid solar absorption/storage material (SSAM) is the crucial component for next generation concentrating solar power (CSP) system, which could promote global carbon neutrality. However, the comprehensive absorption/storage performance of SSAM at low cost has not been realized, thereby hindering its practical application. To address this problem, Fe/Si-rich copper slag, as abundant solid waste, was …

Continue reading “Published at Ceramics International – Upcycling copper slag into high-performance spinel-based ceramics with integrated solar absorption and storage”

Abstract: As the penetration of renewable energy sources such as wind and photovoltaic generation continues to rise, the inherent randomness and intermittency of their output pose significant challenges to system frequency stability. To address the limited frequency regulation capability under high renewable penetration, this paper proposes a short-term optimal scheduling approach for a cascade hydropower-wind-photovoltaic-concentrated …

Continue reading “Published at Energy Conversion and Management – Short-term optimal scheduling of a cascade hydropower-wind-photovoltaic-concentrated solar power hybrid power system considering dynamic frequency security constraints and flexible load response”

Abstract: In conventional solar power tower (SPT) systems, heliostats typically aim at a single point on the receiver, such as the cavity aperture center or external receiver equator. While these traditional strategies minimize spillage losses, they often cause excessive thermal stresses due to non-uniform solar flux distribution, reducing receiver efficiency and lifespan. To mitigate this, …

Continue reading “Published at Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews – Heliostat aiming strategies in concentrated solar power towers: A review”

Abstract: Concentrating solar power plants, specifically central receiver type systems and their heliostat field, are struggling with negative reputation in the USA, due to perceived underperformance and reliability issues. This is in part due to a lack of standards for performance assessment as well as overly simplified techno-economical models. A better understanding of influences and …

Continue reading “Published at Solar Energy – Comprehensive assessment of metrology techniques for heliostat efficiency and performance evaluation”

Abstract: Although the metal hydride CaH2 possesses a remarkably high hydrogen-based energy storage density, its application in thermal energy storage systems for next-generation concentrated solar power plants presents a challenge due to its 1100 °C decomposition temperature. These plants are expected to operate within a range of 600 to 800 °C, which makes CaH2 unsuitable …

Continue reading “Published at the Journal for Energy Storage – Improving the thermal energy storage performance of calcium hydride via vacancy defects for next-generation concentrating solar power”