On 5 February 2025, the SOLARX consortium hosted its second webinar, bringing together leading experts to discuss the technical and social dimensions of innovative, dispatchable concentrated solar power (CSP). The event was organised as part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2025, and showcased the expertise of women in shaping the future of solar energy. Miriam Frances (accelopment Schweiz AG) introduced the webinar and the women experts at the forefront of solar energy innovation who provided the following key insights:
☀ Concept of the SOLARX Project
Marta Murkowska (EMD International, Denmark) revisited the core objectives of the SOLARX project, focusing on advancing dispatchable solar power solutions to enhance grid stability and energy security.
☀ Solar Field Design & Optimised Aiming Strategies
Maitane Ferreres (Fraunhofer-ISE, Germany) presented advanced strategies to optimise heliostat aiming in solar power tower plants, improving efficiency and reducing energy losses. The discussion highlighted how these optimised aiming strategies can significantly enhance the overall performance of CSP plants.
☀ Advancing Hydrogen Generation with CCUS
Rola El Bijou (ACCIONA Industrial, Spain) explored the role of Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) in hydrogen production. She discussed how CCUS technologies can make hydrogen generation from CSP more sustainable, aligning with global decarbonisation efforts.
☀ Modelling & Operation of Solar-to-X Plants
Megha Gupta (DTU – Technical University of Denmark) introduced advanced modelling techniques for solar-to-X plants, focusing on the integration of CSP with hydrogen production and energy storage. Her presentation emphasised the importance of predictive modelling to enhance system efficiency and adaptability in real-world applications.
☀ Quantitative Sustainability Considerations for SOLARX
Aude Marie (DTU – Technical University of Denmark) presented key sustainability metrics for evaluating the long-term viability of SOLARX’s approach. She highlighted the need for life cycle assessments and quantitative methods to measure environmental and social benefits.
🗣 Interactive Panel Discussion & Q&A
The session concluded with a live panel discussion, allowing participants to engage directly with the speakers.
🎥 Missed the webinar? Watch the full recording here:
