SOLARX brings together experts from different fields and countries through seven work packages, with the objective of demonstrating its role as a game-changing renewable energy system in the framework of a future implementation in a carbon-negative energy system. To make it possible, SOLARX is splitted in seven work packages (WP):
- Lead: Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ( Fraunhofer ISE)
- WP1 will create a smart solar resource management system that aligns solar management and energy production with an adaptive and dynamic supply and demand strategy. To achieve this, we will:
- Develop a parametrised optical model of the heliostat field, CST, CPV and H2 receivers
- Set up a DNI now-casting system suited for SOLARX
- Define advanced adaptive aiming strategies for the flux distribution on the three receivers
- Develop and demonstrate in a lab a closed-loop heliostat field control system, based on the HelioControl approach
- Derive a simplified black-box model for optical yield as input to the techno-economic analysis
- Elaborate parametrised thermal, electrical and solar chemical models for the CST, CPV and H2 receivers, respectively.
- Lead: Universitat de Lleida (UDL)
- WP2 will design and develop a high efficiency concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) receiver. We will:
- Design and model a high efficiency CPV receiver.
- Develop TCVC solar cells.
- Fabricate a self-adaptive cooling plate.
- Design electrical connection of the solar cells and control of the DC/DC converters.
- Integrate these developments into a CPV receiver with 40.7% electrical efficiency.
- Characterise the receivers’ performance
- Lead: National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)
- WP3 will develop the SOLARX bi-energy H2 receiver driven by renewable electricity or direct solar energy for the transformation (Dual Methane Reforming) of renewable energy biogas. The main objectives are:
- Revisit the reactor design for integration of solar + electrical heating and biogas operation.
- Design the H2 receiver to integrate an array of reactors with distributed control.
- Experimentally demonstrate a H2 receiver subunit.
- Formulate a system-level model, including CCUS and inlet/outlet gas management
- Lead: EMD International A/S (EMD)
- WP4 will deliver a roadmap towards system integration and technology commercialisation. For this, we will:
- Identify the future technological evolution of the concept.
- Assess economic potential and profitability of SOLARX and perform optimal system sizing.
- Implement SOLARX plant models in techno-economic software (DTU software & EMD software) to enable future solar plant developer to consider SOLARX systems.
- Lead: Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
- WP5 will analyse the entire system from a global point of view including environmental, economic, and social aspects. The analysis will guide technical choices and developments during the project.The specific objectives that WP5 achieves are:
- Economic assessment of SOLARX in electricity and H2
- LCA assessment of SOLARX for specific project scenarios.
- Map of primary and secondary stakeholders for SOLARX.
- Social impact analysis of SOLARX via survey questionnaires and interviews.
- Lead: accelopment Schweiz AG (accelCH)
- WP6 will ensure the use and wide acceptance of SOLARX results, WP6 will:
- Achieve the widest possible outreach through project and technology specific communication activities.
- Plan and implement dissemination measures to spread the SOLARX
- Develop exploitation mechanisms to facilitate future commercial and non-commercial use of results.
- Develop an IP strategy and monitor its implementation and contribute to standards and norms.
- Lead: Universitat de Lleida (UDL)
- WP7 will ensure the timely and effective management of the SOLARX project. Overall objective of WP7 is to support the completion of scientific objectives defined in the Grant Agreement by:
- Ensuring the proper financial and scientific monitoring of the project.
- Ensuring coordination and communication between partners and with the European Commission.
- Control the quality and results of the project and manage inherent risk.
- Deliver appropriate Innovation Management.
