Published – Technical, economic and environmental analysis of solar thermochemical production of drop-in fuels

Abstract: This study analyzes the technical performance, costs and life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the production of various fuels using air-captured water and CO2, and concentrated solar energy as the source of high-temperature process heat. The solar thermochemical fuel production pathway utilizes a ceria-based Read More …

Synhelion and CEMEX make further progress toward the world’s first fully solar-powered cement plant

Press Release: Aug 3 2023 Synhelion and Cemex announced today a significant milestone in their joint effort to develop fully solar-driven cement production: the scaling of their technology to industrially-viable levels. This includes the continuous production of clinker, the most energy-intensive part of cement manufacturing, Read More …

Current CSP Research Funding Opportunities

Current CSP Research Funding Opportunities

August 2023 DOE heliostat prize submissions due Aug 31 The American-Made Heliostat Prize is a $3 million competition designed to accelerate technology innovation through the design, development, and demonstration of key components of heliostats. Heliostats are devices that tilt mirrors to track the sun and Read More …

ETH seeks Assistant Professor of Solar Energy Engineering (Tenure Track)

Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) of Solar Energy Engineering The Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (www.mavt.ethz.ch) at ETH Zurich invites applications for the above-​mentioned position. Successful applicants must demonstrate an excellent international record of research accomplishments in solar energy science and engineering. The new professor Read More …

“Sun-to-Liquids” Solar Fuels R&D Wins Recognition at Cop26

The Sun-to-Liquids project has been developed by a consortium integrated by the leading European solar research laboratories and CSP industry leaders: ETH Zurich, DLR, Bauhaus Luftfahrt, IMDEA Energy, HyGear Technology & Services B.V and Abengoa. The aim is to produce renewable transportation fuels from water Read More …

Capabilities of Each of the Solar Fuels Research Institutions

Capabilities of Each of the Solar Fuels Research Institutions

NATION; CITY INSTITUTE ITEM: 2020 STATUS DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION CONTACT Australia; Canberra ANU High-Flux Solar Simulator 18×Xe lamps, focal heat 15 kWth with approx 10,000 suns. Lab is equipped with gas supplies. Professor Wojciech Lipinski Australia; Canberra ANU Little Dish 20 m² dish concentrator, with peak CR Read More …

Current Job Openings in CSP Research and on CSP Projects

September 2023 Manager, Solar Thermal Testing and Demonstration We are seeking a highly motivated manager to lead the Solar Thermal Testing & Demonstration Department within the Renewable Energy Technologies Group (Org 8920). The Group conducts fundamental and applied R&D to improve performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness Read More …

Current Research Task Leaders

Current Research Task Leaders

Task Operating Agents – Organization Staff Michael Wagner Operating Agent – Task I Solar Thermal Electric Systems University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin United States of America Dr Woei Saw Operating Agent – Task II Solar Chemistry Research University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005, Australia Dr. Read More …

CSP Research Tasks

CSP Research Tasks

Tasks Annexes of the IEA SolarPACES Technology Collaborative Programme SolarPACES is an IEA Technology Collaborative Programme. As such, it has a structure similar to the more than 60 programs currently operating through the IEA. Each of them reflect the need to efficiently coordinate between international Read More …

TASK II: Solar Chemistry Research

TASK II: Solar Chemistry Research

Operating Agent: Dr Woei Saw, The University of Adelaide, woei.saw@adelaide.edu.au Nature of the work & Objectives Task II addresses the demonstration, scale-up, and market penetration of solar-driven thermochemical processes for the production of fuels (e.g. hydrogen, syngas, methanol, kerosene, diesel) and materials (e.g. metals – Read More …