Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HELIOTROPE (Highly Efficient and Low-impact InnOvative TheRmal stOrage system for enhanced disPatchability in concEntrated solar tower plants)
Période du rapport: 2024-06-01 au 2025-09-30
HELIOTROPE is a groundbreaking research and development endeavor dedicated to advancing Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology to unprecedented heights. This project focuses on developing state-of-the-art molten salts and materials technologies for thermal energy storage systems, pushing the boundaries of operational temperatures beyond the current industry standard of 600ºC. A holistic approach is at the heart of HELIOTROPE's mission. Sustainable novel molten salts as thermal energy storage mediums and the remarkable ability to withstand absorber surface temperatures of up to 850ºC are introduced, promising to enhance CSP plant efficiency and dispatchability. This technological advancement aims to redefine the capabilities of CSP plants. Furthermore, HELIOTROPE aligns closely with key European energy policies and initiatives, contributing significantly to energy security, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The project supports the vision outlined in the European Green Deal, Clean Energy for All Europeans, and the Fit for 55 legislations, fostering sustainability and competitiveness in the energy sector. HELIOTROPE aspires to reshape the CSP plant landscape, making them not only more efficient but also inherently environmentally friendly. The project represents a significant stride towards a sustainable energy future, where CSP technology leads the way in innovation and progress, redefining the boundaries of what is possible in the pursuit of a cleaner, more sustainable energy world.
During the first reporting period, HELIOTROPE successfully advanced the development of high-temperature, sustainable thermal energy storage solutions for CSP plants. The work achieved strong technical progress across all WPs, establishing a solid foundation for subsequent validation and demonstration activities.
WP1 – Foresight and definition of requirements for the development of the novel thermal energy storage system:
Completed comprehensive specifications for CSP tower plants, defined Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) and circularity strategy, and identified novel chloride and carbonate molten salt mixtures, Ni-based alloys, and coatings, establishing test protocols and performance baselines.
All deliverables (D1.1 D1.2 D1.3 D1.4 D1.5 D1.6) submitted and milestones (MS1, MS2) reached.
WP2 – New storage fluids: High temperature molten salts systems:
Developed laboratory infrastructure and methodologies, and characterized two innovative molten salt systems and corresponding nanofluids with enhanced heat capacity and stability, achieving readiness for pilot-scale validation.
1 deliverable (D2.1) submitted and 1 milestone (MS3) reached, as expected at this stage of the project.
WP3 – New storage components: Material & coating development for molten salt corrosion-resistant and receiver coatings:
Produced and validated eight new Ni-based alloys and six corrosion-resistant coatings, along with high-absorbance solar receiver coatings capable of operating up to 850°C, paving the way for long-term corrosion and aging testing.
2 deliverables (D3.1 D3.4) submitted and 1 milestone (MS5) reached, as expected at this stage of the project.
WP4 – New storage components & systems performance: materials, coatings, & novel corrosion control system:
Initiated corrosion and accelerated aging tests under realistic molten salt and high-flux solar conditions, developed an online corrosion monitoring sensor and a cathodic protection concept to achieve near-zero corrosion rates.
1 milestone (MS8) reached, as expected at this stage of the project.
WP5 – Environmental and socio-economic assessment of the novel thermal Storage Energy System:
Launched preliminary LCA, LCC, and S-LCA analyses confirming potential >10% LCOE reduction and >20% environmental impact reduction, and established safety and circularity protocols.
WP6 – Communication, Dissemination & Exploitation:
Built strong dissemination foundations with website, social media, and stakeholder mapping; identified three Key Exploitable Results (KERs) and initiated clustering with the FLUWS project.
2 deliverables (D6.1 D6.2) submitted, as expected at this stage of the project.
WP7 – Project Management:
Ensured efficient coordination, risk management, and reporting through proactive monitoring, early internal reporting, and submission of all management deliverables on time.
4 deliverables (D7.1 D7.2 D7.4 D7.7) submitted, as expected at this stage of the project.
WP1 – Foresight and definition of requirements for the development of the novel thermal energy storage system:
Completed comprehensive specifications for CSP tower plants, defined Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) and circularity strategy, and identified novel chloride and carbonate molten salt mixtures, Ni-based alloys, and coatings, establishing test protocols and performance baselines.
All deliverables (D1.1 D1.2 D1.3 D1.4 D1.5 D1.6) submitted and milestones (MS1, MS2) reached.
WP2 – New storage fluids: High temperature molten salts systems:
Developed laboratory infrastructure and methodologies, and characterized two innovative molten salt systems and corresponding nanofluids with enhanced heat capacity and stability, achieving readiness for pilot-scale validation.
1 deliverable (D2.1) submitted and 1 milestone (MS3) reached, as expected at this stage of the project.
WP3 – New storage components: Material & coating development for molten salt corrosion-resistant and receiver coatings:
Produced and validated eight new Ni-based alloys and six corrosion-resistant coatings, along with high-absorbance solar receiver coatings capable of operating up to 850°C, paving the way for long-term corrosion and aging testing.
2 deliverables (D3.1 D3.4) submitted and 1 milestone (MS5) reached, as expected at this stage of the project.
WP4 – New storage components & systems performance: materials, coatings, & novel corrosion control system:
Initiated corrosion and accelerated aging tests under realistic molten salt and high-flux solar conditions, developed an online corrosion monitoring sensor and a cathodic protection concept to achieve near-zero corrosion rates.
1 milestone (MS8) reached, as expected at this stage of the project.
WP5 – Environmental and socio-economic assessment of the novel thermal Storage Energy System:
Launched preliminary LCA, LCC, and S-LCA analyses confirming potential >10% LCOE reduction and >20% environmental impact reduction, and established safety and circularity protocols.
WP6 – Communication, Dissemination & Exploitation:
Built strong dissemination foundations with website, social media, and stakeholder mapping; identified three Key Exploitable Results (KERs) and initiated clustering with the FLUWS project.
2 deliverables (D6.1 D6.2) submitted, as expected at this stage of the project.
WP7 – Project Management:
Ensured efficient coordination, risk management, and reporting through proactive monitoring, early internal reporting, and submission of all management deliverables on time.
4 deliverables (D7.1 D7.2 D7.4 D7.7) submitted, as expected at this stage of the project.
The project achieved significant progress in pushing the technical boundaries of CSP systems through innovative materials, coatings, and storage technologies that enable operation at unprecedented temperatures and with improved sustainability.
WP1:
Introduced a harmonized SSbD and circular-by-design strategy specifically adapted for high-temperature CSP materials and systems.
WP2:
Demonstrated novel chloride- and carbonate-based molten salts mixtures designed to operate stably at 750–800°C, increasing specific heat by ~0.5 J/g·°C and expanding the operating temperature range for CSP systems.
WP3:
Developed new Ni-based alloys with optimized corrosion resistance in molten salts and novel laser-textured absorber coatings with >97% solar absorptance and extended lifetime at 850°C.
WP4:
Pioneered integrated corrosion control combining real-time electrochemical monitoring and cathodic protection in molten salts—an unprecedented approach for CSP TES applications.
WP5:
Advanced techno-economic modelling integrating sustainability and circularity criteria into LCOE analysis, establishing methodologies for next-generation sustainable CSP assessment.
WP6:
Created a unified exploitation roadmap linking research outputs to market-oriented KERs, bridging advanced material research and industrial deployment pathways.
WP1:
Introduced a harmonized SSbD and circular-by-design strategy specifically adapted for high-temperature CSP materials and systems.
WP2:
Demonstrated novel chloride- and carbonate-based molten salts mixtures designed to operate stably at 750–800°C, increasing specific heat by ~0.5 J/g·°C and expanding the operating temperature range for CSP systems.
WP3:
Developed new Ni-based alloys with optimized corrosion resistance in molten salts and novel laser-textured absorber coatings with >97% solar absorptance and extended lifetime at 850°C.
WP4:
Pioneered integrated corrosion control combining real-time electrochemical monitoring and cathodic protection in molten salts—an unprecedented approach for CSP TES applications.
WP5:
Advanced techno-economic modelling integrating sustainability and circularity criteria into LCOE analysis, establishing methodologies for next-generation sustainable CSP assessment.
WP6:
Created a unified exploitation roadmap linking research outputs to market-oriented KERs, bridging advanced material research and industrial deployment pathways.