Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CSP ERANET (Joint programming actions to foster innovative CSP solutions)
Reporting period: 2020-09-01 to 2024-11-30
The problem or issue addressed by CSP ERANET is the need to bridge the gap between research and commercial deployment in the Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology so it can play a key role in the European renewable electricity generation. The main countries and regions that can have a key role in this deployment have committed their economic resources resulting in CSP ERANET, and this has allowed the creation of synergies to finance strategic CSP research. The collaboration between CSP ERANET and the SET Plan, through its working group on CSP, has been necessary to define the CSP R&I topics to be prioritized for funding. Europe has witnessed a rapid growth of the renewable power deployed in the last decade; this implies an increase of renewables in the energy mix, but it is mainly due to intermittent renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar photovoltaic. CSP technologies, together with thermal energy storage systems, need to be integrated in the system to ensure stability and dispatchability.
CSP ERANET has addressed these matters by funding projects with high TRLs, close to commercial deployment; by involving in the consortium countries from all around Europe and Associated Countries, covering industrial leaders in the technology and countries with good conditions for deployment and testing facilities, allowing them to work together to achieve the best results possible; and financing research in advanced thermal energy storage (TES) systems, as 40% of the projects funded in the co-fund call were in this topic.
There are several reasons why CSP ERANET and its funding opportunities for research projects is relevant for society: this technology generates renewable electricity, reducing the use of fossil fuels; it produces very little greenhouse gas emissions, helping mitigate climate change; it enhances energy security and stability thanks to the use of thermal energy storage; and the CSP industry creates jobs, from research to construction and operation.
The overall objectives set by CSP ERANET were:
To pool 15 million euros of public funds from Member States, Associated Countries and regions, allowing the creation of big-scale funding synergies to bridge the gap in CSP technology. The funding objective was reached by CSP ERANET but, despite there were over 15 million euros available considering both calls launched, it wasn’t all granted.
To coordinate the R&I activity by blending financial resources from the countries, the European Commission and the private sector, and mainstreaming them to the priorities defined by the SET Plan. Indeed, the priorities in CSP technology topics that were addressed in the calls, were based on the research priorities identified in the SET Plan, the consultation process was repeated before the co-fund call and again before the additional call, remaining the priorities the same.
To establish a long-lasting joint programme to finance strategic R&I projects in CSP, contributing to the objectives of the European Research Area (ERA). The long-lasting collaboration started before CSP ERANET, with the previous SOLAR ERANETs, and continued after with the Clean Energy Transition Partnerships (CETP). There were also collaborations with other EU-funded initiatives and European CSP stakeholders.
To mobilize over 29 million euros for investment in CSP projects, involving key institutions in 8 countries, and covering 8 topics. All the countries, except for three in the additional call, and all the topics were covered, but the total amount mobilized was below expectations, reaching 19,5 million euros.
In summary, CSP ERANET has supported and funded 10 research projects that have contributed, in different areas, to reach the targets established in the SET Plan: reducing the costs of CSP technologies, increasing the efficiency of the systems and advancing towards a more secure, sustainable and independent energy system.
CSP ERANET has addressed these matters by funding projects with high TRLs, close to commercial deployment; by involving in the consortium countries from all around Europe and Associated Countries, covering industrial leaders in the technology and countries with good conditions for deployment and testing facilities, allowing them to work together to achieve the best results possible; and financing research in advanced thermal energy storage (TES) systems, as 40% of the projects funded in the co-fund call were in this topic.
There are several reasons why CSP ERANET and its funding opportunities for research projects is relevant for society: this technology generates renewable electricity, reducing the use of fossil fuels; it produces very little greenhouse gas emissions, helping mitigate climate change; it enhances energy security and stability thanks to the use of thermal energy storage; and the CSP industry creates jobs, from research to construction and operation.
The overall objectives set by CSP ERANET were:
To pool 15 million euros of public funds from Member States, Associated Countries and regions, allowing the creation of big-scale funding synergies to bridge the gap in CSP technology. The funding objective was reached by CSP ERANET but, despite there were over 15 million euros available considering both calls launched, it wasn’t all granted.
To coordinate the R&I activity by blending financial resources from the countries, the European Commission and the private sector, and mainstreaming them to the priorities defined by the SET Plan. Indeed, the priorities in CSP technology topics that were addressed in the calls, were based on the research priorities identified in the SET Plan, the consultation process was repeated before the co-fund call and again before the additional call, remaining the priorities the same.
To establish a long-lasting joint programme to finance strategic R&I projects in CSP, contributing to the objectives of the European Research Area (ERA). The long-lasting collaboration started before CSP ERANET, with the previous SOLAR ERANETs, and continued after with the Clean Energy Transition Partnerships (CETP). There were also collaborations with other EU-funded initiatives and European CSP stakeholders.
To mobilize over 29 million euros for investment in CSP projects, involving key institutions in 8 countries, and covering 8 topics. All the countries, except for three in the additional call, and all the topics were covered, but the total amount mobilized was below expectations, reaching 19,5 million euros.
In summary, CSP ERANET has supported and funded 10 research projects that have contributed, in different areas, to reach the targets established in the SET Plan: reducing the costs of CSP technologies, increasing the efficiency of the systems and advancing towards a more secure, sustainable and independent energy system.
Since the beginning of the project in June 2019, the activities that have been carried out can be summarized following the work planned in each WP.
The work in WP1 has guaranteed an effective management of the project to achieve the results in time, within budget and with the quality expected. The main objective was successfully achieved, by ensuring the proper implementation of the action, allowing to achieve the desired results: the successful implementation of two calls in 2019 and 2021. Periodic meetings were held, and additional meetings were also organized when needed. The participation in each meeting was associated to the management structures.
The work carried out in WP2 was dedicated to preparing and launching the co-fund call. The call preparation included establishing the call text, the guidelines and the timeline; developing the submission system and the process to be followed; and disseminating the call among the target audience.
The first stage of the Joint Call closed in January 2020 and the second stage in June 2020.
WP3 focused on the evaluation and selection of proposals. The entire evaluation process was overseen by the Independent Observer appointed for this purpose, who is an expert in ERANET management.
The external experts participated in the evaluation of pre and full proposals and were selected from a pool of experts in CSP. The assignment of experts to proposals was done considering their level of expertise in the topic of the proposal, the countries involved in the consortium and gender balance. Confidentiality agreements and declaration of non-conflict of interest were signed by all experts. Each proposal in both phases was evaluated by three independent experts.
Once the projects were notified of their approval, WP4 began the follow-up and monitoring of the funded projects. Although it was planned to begin in October 2020, the few months delay in the completion of the call, implied that projects did not officially start until December 2020, but the reality was that most of the joint activities began in the first trimester of 2021. This WP has evaluated the overall progress of the projects, identifying in time any deviations from the plan and guiding and supporting the coordinators based on the periodic reports submitted. The three annual reports were submitted directly on the ESS.
The work carried out in WP5 focused on communicating and disseminating the impacts and results of CSP ERANET and of the projects funded. A lot of effort was put in this WP at the beginning to present the action to the industry and research community aiming to maximize their participation in the calls.
Through the additional activities WP, CSP ERANET has participated in several events and activities to promote CSP research and innovation development so this technology can play a main role in the European renewable electricity generation in the medium term. The main activity was the Additional Call, launched in October 2021.
The work in WP1 has guaranteed an effective management of the project to achieve the results in time, within budget and with the quality expected. The main objective was successfully achieved, by ensuring the proper implementation of the action, allowing to achieve the desired results: the successful implementation of two calls in 2019 and 2021. Periodic meetings were held, and additional meetings were also organized when needed. The participation in each meeting was associated to the management structures.
The work carried out in WP2 was dedicated to preparing and launching the co-fund call. The call preparation included establishing the call text, the guidelines and the timeline; developing the submission system and the process to be followed; and disseminating the call among the target audience.
The first stage of the Joint Call closed in January 2020 and the second stage in June 2020.
WP3 focused on the evaluation and selection of proposals. The entire evaluation process was overseen by the Independent Observer appointed for this purpose, who is an expert in ERANET management.
The external experts participated in the evaluation of pre and full proposals and were selected from a pool of experts in CSP. The assignment of experts to proposals was done considering their level of expertise in the topic of the proposal, the countries involved in the consortium and gender balance. Confidentiality agreements and declaration of non-conflict of interest were signed by all experts. Each proposal in both phases was evaluated by three independent experts.
Once the projects were notified of their approval, WP4 began the follow-up and monitoring of the funded projects. Although it was planned to begin in October 2020, the few months delay in the completion of the call, implied that projects did not officially start until December 2020, but the reality was that most of the joint activities began in the first trimester of 2021. This WP has evaluated the overall progress of the projects, identifying in time any deviations from the plan and guiding and supporting the coordinators based on the periodic reports submitted. The three annual reports were submitted directly on the ESS.
The work carried out in WP5 focused on communicating and disseminating the impacts and results of CSP ERANET and of the projects funded. A lot of effort was put in this WP at the beginning to present the action to the industry and research community aiming to maximize their participation in the calls.
Through the additional activities WP, CSP ERANET has participated in several events and activities to promote CSP research and innovation development so this technology can play a main role in the European renewable electricity generation in the medium term. The main activity was the Additional Call, launched in October 2021.
The project achievements result so far in the funding of 10 transnational R&I projects in CSP. Based on the expected results of the projects funded by CSP ERANET are: estimated CAPEX 30% lower than actual costs; OPEX reduction of 15% in storage systems; to improve competitiveness of CSP plants (increasing performance and reliability); to advance in heat storage technology; to reinforce EU’s leadership in CSP technology and to create new qualified jobs in Europe. All this results in a lower LCOE and a reduction of the final carbon footprint of these plants.