FRESNEX GMBH

Their core work

Fresnex is an Austrian SME that develops Fresnel-based concentrated solar thermal technology for industrial and district energy applications. Their core product is high-concentration Fresnel solar panels that generate heat for industrial processes, cooling systems, and district heating networks. They contribute solar thermal hardware and integration expertise to large European energy demonstration projects, serving as a specialist technology supplier rather than a systems integrator.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Fresnex began in 2015 with a Phase 1 SME Instrument project (helioSTEAM) focused on concentrated solar steam for industrial use — essentially validating their core Fresnel technology for manufacturing. From 2018 onward, they joined larger Innovation Action consortia (HyCool, WEDISTRICT), moving from standalone industrial heat into integrated systems combining solar thermal with heat pumps, thermal storage, and district-level networks. The trajectory shows a clear shift from single-application hardware provider toward a component supplier for complex, multi-source urban and industrial energy systems.

Fresnex is moving from niche industrial solar heat into broader district heating and cooling ecosystems, making them increasingly relevant for smart city and urban energy projects.

How they like to work

Fresnex primarily joins as a specialist participant in large consortia — they coordinated only their initial SME Instrument feasibility study (helioSTEAM) and then contributed technology to larger partnerships. With 43 unique partners across just 3 projects, they operate in sizable consortia (HyCool and WEDISTRICT are both large Innovation Actions), meaning they are comfortable working within complex multi-partner structures. Their role is that of a focused technology contributor bringing a specific hardware component rather than driving overall project direction.

Despite only 3 projects, Fresnex has collaborated with 43 unique partners across 12 countries, reflecting the large consortium sizes typical of energy Innovation Actions. Their network spans broadly across Europe rather than clustering in any single region.

What sets them apart

Fresnex occupies a very specific niche: they manufacture Fresnel concentrated solar panels purpose-built for thermal applications — not photovoltaic electricity, but direct heat generation. This makes them one of few European SMEs offering a ready-made concentrated solar thermal component that can plug into industrial process heat, hybrid cooling, or district heating systems. For any consortium needing a solar thermal hardware partner with demonstration-project experience, Fresnex brings a proven, pre-manufactured product rather than a research prototype.

Highlights from their portfolio

• helioSTEAM
  Their only coordinated project — an SME Instrument Phase 1 that validated the core Fresnel solar steam technology for industrial applications.
• WEDISTRICT
  Largest and most recent project (2019-2024), demonstrating their expansion from industrial heat into smart district heating and cooling networks across multiple European sites.
• HyCool
  Demonstrated integration of Fresnel panels with thermal storage and hybrid heat pumps for industrial cooling — showing their technology works in hybrid multi-source systems.