The concept

3 Key Technological Elements

KTE 1: Smart solar resource management

To be able to predict the dynamic behavior of the SOLARX system, including dispatchability aspects (related to storage capacities for Heat and H2) and ancillary services providing, a complete system model, based on AI, will be set up. The adaptive aiming strategy developed by Fraunhofer ISE will provide great flexibility in distributing the available energy to the different receivers depending on the current and near future demand of electricity, H2 and heat. Acciona (ACC) will provide CST central tower data for the models, support for the solar management strategy and, together with EMD and DTU, the application scenarios (demand behaviors, applications…). Energy Pro (EMD) will be used to assess the impacts of the proposed smart management strategies.

KTE 2: CPV dense array receiver

In SOLARX, CNRS and UDL will demonstrate a 45.9% cell efficiency and will address each source of losses at the receiver level (current and voltage mismatch losses and pumping power) by revising each component to improve the receiver electrical efficiency by 30% with respect to the state of art (from 32% to 40.7%).

KTE 3: Bi-energy H2 receiver adapted for low-carbon to carbon-negative operation

In SOLARX, CNRS will modify these solar microreactors for compatibility with biogas, incorporate electrical heaters and integrate them into an H2 receiver that has the unique capability of operating either with solar or electrical energy and integrate Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS) strategies (ACC), while HYG will provide the support for the gas and H2 management.