PEGASUS (Renewable Power Generation by Solar Particle Receiver Driven Sulphur Storage Cycle) will investigate a novel power cycle for renewable electricity production applying a solar particle receiver with a sulphur storage system for baseload operation. The proposed process combines solid particles as heat transfer fluid that can also be used for direct thermal energy storage with indirect thermochemical storage of solar energy in solid sulphur, rendering thus a solar power plant capable of round-the-clock renewable electricity production. Concepts of solar sulphur power plants will be developed and a flowsheet analysis in conjunction with a techno-economic study will be carried out to simulate the performance of the process. Prototypes of the key components (i.e. solar centrifugal particle receiver, sulphuric acid evaporator, sulphur trioxide decomposer and sulphur combustor) will be developed, constructed and operated at relevant scale. On-sun testing of the particle receiver will be carried out in the newly constructed high-flux solar simulator of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Juelich, Germany. Furthermore, an integrated operation of the receiver together with the evaporator and the decomposer will be realised in this facility to demonstrate the suitability of the concept. In addition, materials to be used simultaneously as solar heat capture, transfer and storage media as well as catalytic particles in the solar receiver, evaporator and decomposer will be developed, tested and analysed with respect to reaction kinetics and long-term stability. Moreover, system models of the key components will be implemented, validated with experimental data and applied to simulate the performance of the process components. These models will be integrated into the developed flowsheets for the above mentioned process simulations and techno-economics to predict the prospects of the technology.

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.

SOLWARIS targets to significantly reduce the water used by CSP plants (by 35% for wet cooled & by 90% for dry cooled). The project proposes to demonstrate the efficiency of innovations on solar field cleaning, power-block cooling, water recycling system, and plant operation strategy. Among these are solutions to reduce solar field water cleaning needs, an operation and maintenance optimizer software including soiling forecaster, a MEE water recovery technology running on otherwise dumped heat from the solar field, and a cooling concept for the turbine condenser storing excess heat when ambient is too warm, then releasing it during cool night times. The solutions will be implemented at two CSP operational sites, “La Africana” parabolic trough plant in Spain and “Ashalim” central receiver plant in Israel, to demonstrate significant reduction in water use while making CSP more cost effective, and achieving near-to-market status. The solutions are best applied together, but each will also bring water and cost savings on its own, thanks to their ability to fit any kind of CSP plant; dry, wet, or hybrid cooled, existing or future ones, tailored to location and policy framework. Their application will save more than 0.5 M€/year of operational cost for a 50 MW CSP plant. Regarding competition on water resources and humanitarian issues, the social acceptance of CSP will be increased by detailed analysis of case studies and education of local population to the benefits of solar energy. The targeted savings of water and operation costs will increase CSP’s competitiveness compared to other renewable energy and the electricity market in general, as well as its acceptance within local communities, achieving a big step forward in the SET plan goals for CSP technology by 2020. The consortium, led by TSK Electrónica y Electricidad S.A. (Spain), is made up of 13 partners from 6 European countries plus Israel, including 5 industrials partners, 2 SMEs, 5 RTOs and one University.

RAISELIFE focuses on extending the in-service lifetime of five key materials for concentrated solar power technologies: 1) protective and anti-soiling coatings of primary reflectors, 2) high-reflective surfaces for heliostats, 3) high-temperature secondary reflectors, 4) receiver coatings for solar towers and line-focus collectors, 5) corrosion resistant high-temperature metals and coatings for steam and molten salts. The project brings together a broad consortium formed of industry partners, SMEs and research institutes of the concentrating solar thermal and material science sector. The scope has been significantly shaped by the leading EPC of solar tower technology, BrightSource, who constructed Ivanpah, the world’s largest solar tower plant. This unique constellation permits a direct transfer of the obtained results in RAISELIFE into new commercial solar thermal power plant projects within less than 5 years and helps to solve urgent matters of current commercial power plants (e.g. the high temperature oxidation of absorber coatings on metallic tower receivers). For this purpose several TRL6 functional materials are being tested in accelerated climate chamber tests, field-tests under elevated solar flux and in-service in BSIIs power plants, with the final goal of increasing durability and performance and in consequence reducing CAPEX and OPEX. We project that commercial implementation of the subject technologies could account for as much as 2.5-3 euro-cent Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) reduction per kWh of electricity produced for solar tower technology between 2015 and 2020.