Imagine a giant magnifying glass that doesn't just make heat, but acts like a smart switch. Depending on what the market needs or the price of energy, it can flip between making electricity, heating water, or creating hydrogen fuel. It uses AI to decide the most profitable output in real-time based on the sun's intensity.
Renewable energy is often intermittent and uncontrollable, making it difficult for grids and industries to rely on it. There is a need for a system that can switch its output based on real-time demand and market prices.
["A high-efficiency dense array CPV receiver with adaptive cooling and electrical interconnection.", "A microreactor with a ceramic heating element and catalyst bed for hydrogen production.", "An AI-based smart solar resource management algorithm for real-time energy dispatching."]
If you are a hydrogen producer dealing with the high cost of electricity for electrolysis — this project developed a carbon-negative bi-energy H2 receiver that produces green hydrogen directly from solar concentration. This allows for a more efficient, carbon-neutral production process.
If you are a grid operator dealing with the instability of wind and solar power — this project developed a dispatchable energy solution that can shift between heat, power, and H2. This provides the flexibility needed to stabilize the grid during high renewable penetration.
If you are a storage provider dealing with inefficient solar heat collection — this project developed a high-efficiency CPV receiver and smart resource management. This maximizes the energy captured from the sun to provide reliable heat for industrial use.
Based on available project data, specific pricing is not provided, but the project uses techno-economic assessment tools like EnergyPro and Hydesign to maximize owner benefits and investor attractiveness.
The project demonstrates the technical and economic reliability of the production of heat, electricity, and H2 at the laboratory scale.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, but a roadmap towards technology commercialization and policy recommendations are being developed.
The system provides power-to-X capabilities, allowing for larger integration of intermittent energy sources into the electric grid through dispatchable production.
The project runs from 2022-11-01 to 2025-10-31, with a long-term market share goal set for 2050.
The consortium is heavily industry-weighted with 8 industrial partners (62% ratio), including 7 SMEs. This suggests a strong focus on commercial viability and practical application, supported by 3 universities and 2 research centers across 7 countries.
Contact Universidad de Lleida regarding the SOLARX project coordination.
Contact us to connect with the SOLARX industrial partners for early adoption opportunities.
