Abstract Heliostat fields represent the primary energy input for concentrating solar-thermal power based on power tower technology. They typically account for 40 %–50 % of the implementation cost of a power tower plant. Therefore, it is essential to optimize the solar...
Recently Published CSP Papers in Journals
Published at Journal of Solar Energy Engineering – Heliostat Consortium: Gap Analysis on State of the Art in Wind Load Design
Abstract: Wind loads are a major driver of heliostat cost. Standardized methods and tools are needed for a more detailed understanding of the static and dynamic loads of a heliostat design. This will enable cost reduction of wind-dependent heliostats to avoid...
Published at Solar Compass – A critical perspective and analysis of two-step thermochemical fuel production cycles
Abstract: Two-step thermochemical fuel production cycles powered using concentrating solar systems offer a route to convert solar energy to chemical fuels. In this work, we offer a critical assessment of the state of the art, a detailed technical analysis of this...
Published at Applied Thermal Engineering – Investigations of inlet arrangement strategies and particle parameters on thermochemical performance in falling particle solar reactors
Abstract: The reformation of methane to hydrogen and steam in a falling particle solar reactor (FPSR) is a promising method to use the solar energy, which converts solar energy into chemical energy. FPSR has higher operation temperature, higher pressure bearing...
Published at Applied Thermal Engineering – Proposal of a novel solar-driven thermochemical reactor for green hydrogen production using helical flow channels
Abstract: The reactor is the core component of the hydrogen production system. Although hydrogen production using solar energy as the heat source can effectively reduce carbon emissions, the reactor faces the problem of uneven heating caused by the collector, and the...
Published at Environmental Science and Technology – Solar-Powered Direct Air Capture: Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment
Abstract Direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 has gained attention as a sustainable carbon source. One of the most promising technologies currently available is liquid solvent DAC (L-DAC), but the significant fraction of fossil CO2 in the output stream hinders its...
Published at Nature – Automatic heliostat learning for in situ concentrating solar power plant metrology with differentiable ray tracing
Abstract Concentrating solar power plants are a clean energy source capable of competitive electricity generation even during night time, as well as the production of carbon-neutral fuels, offering a complementary role alongside photovoltaic plants. In these power...
Published at the Journal of Physical Chemistry – Solar Thermochemical Redox Cycling Using Ga- and Al-Doped LSM Perovskites for Renewable Hydrogen Production
Abstract Solar thermochemical hydrogen production using redox-active metal oxides is a promising pathway for the production of green hydrogen and synthetic fuel precursors. Herein, the perovskite material (La0.6Sr0.4)0.95Mn0.8Ga0.2O3−δ (LSMG6482) is identified as a...
Published at Applied Energy – Systematic assessment for an integrated hydrogen approach towards the cross-regional application considering solar thermochemical and methanol carrier
Abstract Hydrogen holds promise as a clean energy carrier, but its industrial utilization is currently constrained by the challenges of green production and efficient cross-regional delivery. To this end, a novel integrated hydrogen energy system considering the...
Published at Journal of the American Chemical Society – Chemical Potential Analysis as an Alternative to the van’t Hoff Method: Hypothetical Limits of Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen
Abstract The van’t Hoff method is a standard approach for determining reaction enthalpies and entropies, e.g., in the thermochemical reduction of oxides, which is an important process for solar thermochemical fuels and numerous other applications. However, by...
Published at Royal Society of Chemistry – Thermochemical production of ammonia via a two-step metal nitride cycle – materials screening and the strontium-based system
Abstract Ammonia synthesis via the catalytic Haber–Bosch process is characterized by its high pressures and low single-pass conversions, as well as by the energy-intensive production of the precursors H2 and N2 and their concomitant greenhouse gas emissions....
Published at Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering – Experimental investigation of photo-thermal catalytic reactor for the reverse water gas shift reaction under concentrated irradiation
Abstract An upscaled photo-thermal catalytic reactor for the heterogeneously catalysed reverse Water Gas Shift (rWGS) reaction is tested under simulated concentrated irradiation. The reactor is equipped with an aperture of 144 cm2 area covered by a quartz window,...
Published at Energy Conversion and Management – Thermodynamic evaluation of nonstoichiometric oxides for efficient and practical solar thermochemical hydrogen production
Abstract: Efficient solar-to-fuel conversion is of paramount importance to gauge the competitiveness of solar fuel production methods and technologies. Solar thermochemical cycling (STC) has tremendous potential in this regard, yet the realization of which is...
Published at Solar Energy – Performance assessment of a system to provide steady high temperature air via solar thermal suspension flow technology with storage and combustion back-up
Abstract: The imperative for economically viable sources of high-temperature heat without contributing to net carbon emissions has become a pressing global concern, particularly in the context of industrial chemical processes. Solar thermal heat generation emerges as...
Published at Applied Thermal Engineering – Numerical investigation and comparison of tubular solar cavity receivers for simultaneous generation of superheated steam and hot air
Abstract: Solar cavity receivers are a crucial technology to transform solar energy into easily usable thermal energy. Various cavity receiver structures employing helical absorber tubes were investigated to provide either superheated steam or hot air efficiently....
Published at Journal of Energy Storage – Thermodynamic design of the novel energy storage system based on liquid carbon dioxide for a 17 MW concentrated solar thermal power plant
Abstract: Currently, the majority of electric power generation in Iran is provided through fossil fuel power plants. Recently, the effort to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy supply portfolio is increasing. Naturally, none of the renewable energy...
Published at ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering – Optimal Design of an Absorbent-Enhanced Ammonia Synthesis Process for Solar Thermochemical Energy Storage
Abstract: Concentrating solar power systems are crucial for capturing solar energy. However, the intermittent nature of sunlight necessitates effective energy storage solutions. Ammonia-based thermochemical energy storage systems have emerged as a promising option,...
Published at Journal of Energy Storage – Influence of corrosion-resistant coatings on the post-corrosion thermal stability and fouling of molten salts for high temperature thermal energy storage
Abstract Corrosion and dissolution of containment alloy constituents is an important consideration in high temperature thermal energy storage using molten salts. While the focus of most studies has been on protecting the alloys from corrosion attack, an...
Published at International Journal of Hydrogen Energy – Investigation on the activity of Ni doped Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 for solar thermochemical water splitting combined with partial oxidation of methane
Abstract The incredible potential of metal oxide-based two-step solar-driven thermochemical water splitting technology lies in its ability to harness limitless solar energy to produce clean and renewable hydrogen fuel. However, achieving high redox kinetics and...
Published at Journal of Energy Storage – Efficient solar-thermal conversion and thermal energy storage towards personal thermal management and thermoelectric power generation enabled by massive screen printing of carbon nanotube dopped energy storage gels
Abstract: Converting clean solar energy into thermal and electrical energy can effectively alleviate energy shortages and environmental crises. However, the intermittency and low utilization of solar energy are currently urgent issues that need to be addressed. The...
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