Objective Energy provision is a big challenge for our Society, being the present production/consumption paradigm not sustainable. To change current trends, a large increase in the share of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) is crucial. The effectiveness of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) poses Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems at the forefront, as the first dispatchable option among all intermittent RESs. In order to realize the CSP potential, the efficiency of the adopted Power Conversion Units (PCUs) must grow over 50%, entailing temperature levels of the order of 1000 °C: promising solutions are based on Brayton thermodynamic cycles. This project stems from the observation that no existing TES option can be coupled to such PCUs and/or work at these temperatures, and aims at filling this gap. Three interrelated research objectives are proposed, to prove the feasibility and assess the potential of1. an innovative CSP concept whereby (i) the receiver is co-located with the TES vessel, (ii)the solar radiation is directly absorbed by the liquid storage medium, and (iii) the thermalpower is withdrawn from the TES by bubbling a gas through it, which can thus be used asworking fluid in a Brayton cycle. An efficient and simple system results, without irradiatedmetal tubes, secondary fluid loops, heat exchangers, valves, nor pumps;2. the adoption of common glass-forming compounds as novel TES materials. These are nontoxicand inexpensive (mainly sand), and the related know-how is already available fromthe glass manufacturing field, whose deep synergies with the CSP sector will be exploredin a multi-disciplinary perspective;3. the CSP systems resulting from the integration between receiver–TES and PCUs.The envisaged approach combines advanced theoretical and experimental research activities to achieve these goals. The final scope is to inaugurate a new branch in the field of solar systems, with the potential of enabling the CSP plants we need to ensure a bright Future. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwareengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcolorsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesmeteorologysolar radiationnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysolar energyconcentrated solar power Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2014-GF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-GF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-GF - Global Fellowships Coordinator UNIVERSITA DI PISA Net EU contribution € 259 558,20 Address Lungarno pacinotti 43/44 56126 Pisa Italy See on map Region Centro (IT) Toscana Pisa Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 259 558,20 Partners (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all Partner Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement. EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICH Switzerland Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address Raemistrasse 101 8092 Zuerich See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Zürich Zürich Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 175 419,60