Periodic Reporting for period 3 - SFERA-III (Solar Facilities for the European Research Area - Third Phase)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2022-01-01 do 2022-12-31
According to the objectives of the EU in the field of sustainable energy supply, climate change and energy security needs strong efforts in innovative technologies and education. The amending EU's Renewable Energy Directive sets a binding target of 40% final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030. Solar energy is the primary source of renewable energy and CST power can supply electricity on demand, which distinguishes these plants from other highly variable renewable electricity production technologies like photovoltaic or wind power. In this context, this project aims at coordinating efforts of the main European research institutions operating a unique set of RIs to promote innovative research, to improve services offered by concentrating solar RIs and to train researchers and engineers on the CST technologies.
3 doctoral colloquia and summer schools and 4 training for the industry implemented. 7 workshops held, 5 short term training visits organized, and 10 mobilities performed.
A database summarising the state-of-the-art of the RIs and services offered by the consortium developed, and potential missing infrastructures/services missing to reach the targets of the updated CST Implementation Plan identified and discussed amongst stakeholders. Concept notes for harmonised funding opportunities finalised, and a workshop carried out. EU-SOLARIS has become an ERIC. Cooperation with other CST related EU projects and international initiatives undergoing.
Documents necessary to implement the TA activity prepared. 5 access calls launched, 3 access campaigns completed. 4th access campaign underway. 4 webinar sessions on TA to SFERA-III RIs organised.
Work done on the establishment of protocols for dynamic corrosion, on the methodology for latent storage and on the identification of main drivers for their degradation, and on the prototype testing guidelines. Critical components of molten salt loops identified and a review of the current procedures performed. Valves, flow meters and heat tracing tested in different partners’ facilities while a RRT with a unique component is under study.
Work done on the establishment of protocols and guidelines for reporting the behaviour of DWT systems, a common definition of proper testing procedures to assess the performance of new components and materials to be implemented in DWT, and the refinement of simulation software and the verification of the correlations employed within them. Implementation of new experimental set ups as described in MS18 and MS19.
Work on developing standardized material test for thermodynamic, kinetic, and cycle stability tests completed. Literature review of over 200 publications in the area of solar fuel production processes performed and used to formulate figures of merit for solar fuel production reactors.
Work on improving test bench to assess thermo-mechanical properties of CSP receivers carried out and first solar tests conducted. A camera prototype assembled, based on a new method to improve the temperature measurement of CSP solar receivers. RRT on emissivity measurements conducted. Work done on parameters identification to determine the temperature of tubes of linear collectors using an IR camera. Work done to improve accelerated ageing setups.
A SolarPACES Guideline on reflectometer/soiling measurements created, model-based analytic transfer functions provided. PTRs calibration procedures results published, new heater with homogenization tube was developed and ongoing RRT on heat loss measurement. Hybrid forecasting model was adapted and validated, very short term forecast model developed. First performance measurements in molten salt platform achieved. Robustness of Fresnel RI against DNI variations published. LFR collector on 2-axis platform installed and operated. Small heliostats fast shape measurements implemented. A VIS-approach instrument commissioned, RRT on 3D-shape ongoing and procedures disseminated. Aiming point improved and SCADA implemented.
Preparation of technical specifications and administrative procedure to subcontract a specialized company for the detailed design of the e-Infrastructure (e-I) completed. Report with definition of tools and services to be offered by a CST e-I published. Review of the current state of existing e-I in Europe and proposal for the configuration, structure and specifications for the operation and maintenance of the e-I completed. Implementation and testing of a prototype of the e-I carried out. First version of the detailed engineering of the e-I and planned budget issued by the specialized company. A first edition of the DMP released.
SFERA-III website created and regularly updated. Social media accounts regularly feed with news. Presentation video produced. Joint actions with other H2020 CSP projects carried out. Scientific papers published. Conferences attended to promote SFERA-III. Exploitation workshop organised to boost the understanding on exploitation paths for RIs.
A database summarising the state-of-the-art of the RIs and services offered by the consortium developed, and potential missing infrastructures/services missing to reach the targets of the updated CST Implementation Plan identified and discussed amongst stakeholders. Concept notes for harmonised funding opportunities finalised, and a workshop carried out. EU-SOLARIS has become an ERIC. Cooperation with other CST related EU projects and international initiatives undergoing.
Documents necessary to implement the TA activity prepared. 5 access calls launched, 3 access campaigns completed. 4th access campaign underway. 4 webinar sessions on TA to SFERA-III RIs organised.
Work done on the establishment of protocols for dynamic corrosion, on the methodology for latent storage and on the identification of main drivers for their degradation, and on the prototype testing guidelines. Critical components of molten salt loops identified and a review of the current procedures performed. Valves, flow meters and heat tracing tested in different partners’ facilities while a RRT with a unique component is under study.
Work done on the establishment of protocols and guidelines for reporting the behaviour of DWT systems, a common definition of proper testing procedures to assess the performance of new components and materials to be implemented in DWT, and the refinement of simulation software and the verification of the correlations employed within them. Implementation of new experimental set ups as described in MS18 and MS19.
Work on developing standardized material test for thermodynamic, kinetic, and cycle stability tests completed. Literature review of over 200 publications in the area of solar fuel production processes performed and used to formulate figures of merit for solar fuel production reactors.
Work on improving test bench to assess thermo-mechanical properties of CSP receivers carried out and first solar tests conducted. A camera prototype assembled, based on a new method to improve the temperature measurement of CSP solar receivers. RRT on emissivity measurements conducted. Work done on parameters identification to determine the temperature of tubes of linear collectors using an IR camera. Work done to improve accelerated ageing setups.
A SolarPACES Guideline on reflectometer/soiling measurements created, model-based analytic transfer functions provided. PTRs calibration procedures results published, new heater with homogenization tube was developed and ongoing RRT on heat loss measurement. Hybrid forecasting model was adapted and validated, very short term forecast model developed. First performance measurements in molten salt platform achieved. Robustness of Fresnel RI against DNI variations published. LFR collector on 2-axis platform installed and operated. Small heliostats fast shape measurements implemented. A VIS-approach instrument commissioned, RRT on 3D-shape ongoing and procedures disseminated. Aiming point improved and SCADA implemented.
Preparation of technical specifications and administrative procedure to subcontract a specialized company for the detailed design of the e-Infrastructure (e-I) completed. Report with definition of tools and services to be offered by a CST e-I published. Review of the current state of existing e-I in Europe and proposal for the configuration, structure and specifications for the operation and maintenance of the e-I completed. Implementation and testing of a prototype of the e-I carried out. First version of the detailed engineering of the e-I and planned budget issued by the specialized company. A first edition of the DMP released.
SFERA-III website created and regularly updated. Social media accounts regularly feed with news. Presentation video produced. Joint actions with other H2020 CSP projects carried out. Scientific papers published. Conferences attended to promote SFERA-III. Exploitation workshop organised to boost the understanding on exploitation paths for RIs.
Technological impact:(1) upgraded services to develop more reliable storage systems;(2) increased efficiency of both multiple-effect distillation and membrane distillation technologies, and improved process reliability for water treatments and disinfection;(3) improved testing procedures for chemically active materials utilised solar thermochemical fuel production technologies, as well as standard figures of merit for assessing the performance of solar fuel production reactors. Developed software for the automated control and optimisation of solar fuel reactors under intermittent conditions to increase the production of solar fuels;(4) new or upgraded services to qualify solar receivers, and increased lifetime;(5) increased accuracy in optical, thermal and mechanical measurement services, allowing better optimization of components of the solar field and receiver, which for higher performance of the CST technology;(6) creation of an e-infrastructure.
Economic impact: new test procedures, devices and protocols, together with the TA to RIs will improve the know-how and qualification in this field, enriching the European sector devoted to CST technologies, thus contributing to the consolidation of the current European leadership in this field worldwide.
Environmental and social impact: CST applications including Solar Thermal Electricity can contribute to increase the flexibility of the European energy system by providing dispatchable renewable power. CST can help meet the energy needs of large parts of the world (Sun Belt countries) with significant prospects as both an export sector for the European industry and to support the decarbonisation agenda of the Paris Agreement. CST also includes water treatment and desalination technologies which address topic #7 of the UN Millennium goals to ensure mankind’s environmental sustainability, notably as 40% of the global population still suffer from water scarcity. SFERA-III helps to reduce the North-South inequalities between Europe and the poor regions on earth (e.g. the MENA region), lowering the migration pressure and permitting a share of the poorer countries on global welfare. Local content of CST projects is high because significant workforce is needed locally on the construction site. By increasing competitiveness of CST and opening European RI to users from poorer countries, an energetic and economic partnership between EU and the sunnier MENA region is possible.
Economic impact: new test procedures, devices and protocols, together with the TA to RIs will improve the know-how and qualification in this field, enriching the European sector devoted to CST technologies, thus contributing to the consolidation of the current European leadership in this field worldwide.
Environmental and social impact: CST applications including Solar Thermal Electricity can contribute to increase the flexibility of the European energy system by providing dispatchable renewable power. CST can help meet the energy needs of large parts of the world (Sun Belt countries) with significant prospects as both an export sector for the European industry and to support the decarbonisation agenda of the Paris Agreement. CST also includes water treatment and desalination technologies which address topic #7 of the UN Millennium goals to ensure mankind’s environmental sustainability, notably as 40% of the global population still suffer from water scarcity. SFERA-III helps to reduce the North-South inequalities between Europe and the poor regions on earth (e.g. the MENA region), lowering the migration pressure and permitting a share of the poorer countries on global welfare. Local content of CST projects is high because significant workforce is needed locally on the construction site. By increasing competitiveness of CST and opening European RI to users from poorer countries, an energetic and economic partnership between EU and the sunnier MENA region is possible.