Project description
Spectral filters could boost the performance of concentrated photovoltaic thermal systems
A concentrated photovoltaic thermal system is a hybrid system that combines concentrated photovoltaic and solar thermal technology and could help increase the share of renewables in the energy mix. A major drawback of the technology is that when the intensity of the solar radiation increases, so does the temperature, which compromises the electrical efficiency of the photovoltaic cell. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the NANOSPLIT project aims to design entirely new nanofluid-based spectral splitters to significantly improve the electrical efficiency of the cell. These splitters will filter out wavelengths that are not absorbed by the cells and thus create excess energy wasted as heat.
Objective
The deficient utilisation of the full solar spectrum for power generation in conventional hybrid CPV/T technologies leads to a detrimental decrease in PV cell efficiency due to elevated temperatures. The aim of this research is to break entirely from conventional design principles and to develop a novel nanofluid spectral splitter (NSS)-assisted hybrid CPV/T collector which will benefit from a step-change improvement in electrical efficiency via the optical filtering of spectral wavelengths that are inefficiently utilised by the PV cells in the form of heat, enabling the delivery of high-temperature heat and enhancing the life of the PV cells. Plasmonic nanofluid acting as the NSS will be used for visible light harvesting, while the high grade heat generated by the splitting process will be stored in a thermal storage and utilised directly in domestic or commercial applications. The NANOSPLIT project is highly interdisciplinary and covers process engineering, chemistry (nanomaterials synthesis), physics (PV), energy engineering (solar collector design, development), mechanical and chemical engineering (thermal storage and power generation). The host supervisor, Prof. Christos Markides, has world-leading experience in waste-heat recovery and utilisation and solar energy technologies. He will provide expert training and support for design and development of the innovative hybrid PV/T concept, while, Dr. Sandesh Chougule, a leading Indian researcher, will bring his knowledge on the novel application of nanofluids in solar spectral beam splitting to the host(s). In addition, design of concentrating collectors will support NANOSPLIT through a planned secondment. The high-quality two-way transfer of knowledge required for this project will ensure that research goals are achieved, whilst also presenting a great opportunity to accelerate the academic career of the researcher. Completion of NANOSPLIT will lead to significant economic and societal impacts on the EU and world.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy solar energy
- engineering and technology chemical engineering
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.