The use of concentrated solar power (CSP) is an important step to cover rising energy needs while at the same time reducing CO2 emissions. To produce electricity on a competitive basis the efficiency and safety of CSP plants have to be improved. A limiting factor of existing CSP plants is the heat transfer fluid (HTF).
The aim of the CSP2 Project is to use a dense gas-particle suspension as an alternative HTF that allows working temperatures higher than 550°C. The solid phase consists of any particulate mineral, like quartz sand, that withstands high temperatures.
The solid particles can also be used as a thermal energy storage medium due to their high heat capacity.
Partners: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) (Coordinator); The University of Warwick (WARWICK); Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETHZ); IMDEA Energy Institute (IMDEA); COMESSA; TORRESOL Energy Investments, S.A. (TORRESOL); European Powder & Process Technology (EPPT)
Funding Institution/Program: European Union/FP7-Cooperation. Call identifier: FP7-ENERGY-2011-1 (Topic: ENERGY.2011.2.5-2)
Period: December 2011-November 2015
Principal researcher: Manuel Romero
