Subtask A: Solar Process Heat Survey and Dissemination of Task Results

Existing Plants and Potential Studies

There are currently about 84 solar thermal plants for process heat worldwide, with a total installed capacity of about 23.8 MWth (33,991 m2). These plants are located in 19 countries and cover 11 different industrial sectors, showing that solar thermal energy can be used fruitfully for many industrial applications. In 2006, several new plants have been reported in India, Italy, Spain Switzerland and Austria.

The results of the potential studies performed in participant countries have been updated, including the potential study for the Australian state of Victoria.

According to the latest assessment, extrapolating the outcomes of the studies carried out (Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Netherlands), the overall potential for solar thermal energy in industry in the EU25 is between 90 and 112 GWth (128 – 160 million m2). This would cover 2.5% of the total heat demand of the industrial sector.

This figure represents a relevant contribution to fulfilling the EU target for solar thermal power. For instance, solar process heat plants could deliver up to 64 TWh/year to industry, a remarkable contribution. This would be about 25% of the Renewable Energy Target for Europe as defined by the EREC (European Renewable Energy Council), which will be equal to 279 TWh/year by 2020.

The potential market volume also sounds astonishing: 112 GWth (160,000,000 m²) of new capacity installed for the European solar industry, while at the end of 2005 the total installed capacity of solar thermal collectors in Europe was about 11 GWth.

Therefore, also considering a conservative scenario, a penetration rate of 10% of the above described potential would lead to a total market volume of 11.2 GWth (16,000,000 m²). If this global figure is spread over a 10-year installation program, an annual market of 1,600,000 m² will be reached (European market in 2005 was 2,000,000 m²). The impact on new jobs would not be negligible either: 160,000 new jobs in ten years.

Industry Workshops

In 2006, two industry workshops were held. The first, “Solar Thermal for Heat Production in Industries”, was held on March 31st at the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. The seminar, promoted by the Province of Rome, the Region Lazio and the Italian Ministry of Industry, was attended by about 150 participants. The panel of speakers included policy makers, Task 33/IV experts and also representatives from solar thermal industry and small and medium business.

The second industry workshop was held on October 13th at the INETI in Lisboa (Portugal) and was attended by about 70 participants. The panel of speakers included Task 33/IV experts, experts in eco-design and sustainable efficiency measures for industry from INETI and also representative from the solar thermal industry, a Portuguese manufacturer of CPC collectors.

The presentations of both workshops are available for downloading at www.iea-ship.org/3_1.html.

Industry Newsletter

The third issue of the industry newsletter was published in English and in the languages of all participating countries at the end of January 2007. It will be also available for downloading at www.iea-ship.org.