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A Spanish research centre offers its high-flux solar simulator to conduct research on synthesis and surface treatment of new materials.

Country of Origin: Spain
Reference Number: TOES20181105001
Publication Date: 20 November 2019

Summary

A Spanish research centre working on solar energy offers its high-flux solar simulator (HFSS) for testing materials, solar concentrators, receivers, photovoltaic modules and daylighting devices. High-flux solar simulators are specifically designed to recreate the high radiation intensity distribution usually met in concentrating solar systems. 
The researchers are looking for commercial agreement with technical assistance and research cooperation agreement.

Description

High temperature solar thermal technologies use concentrated sunlight to achieve temperatures between 300–2000ºC for application in thermal electricity generation, solar thermochemistry to produce fuels and commodities, or synthesis and surface treatment of materials. High-concentration photovoltaic systems usually operate above 100 kW/m2. High-flux solar simulators are designed to recreate the high radiation intensity distribution usually met in concentrating solar systems. 



The Spanish research institute, working on sustainable energy, has a 42kWe high-flux solar simulator used for high-temperature solar thermal and thermochemical research. The installation consists of two independent rooms: a testing room, which accommodate the test benches, and the high-flux solar simulator room, respectively; and an external control table for the management and operation of the trial. The testing room is equipped with several gas lines, compressed air, single and three phase electric sockets, an independent air extraction system and internet connexion.



Market application

 

•Testing materials performance at high flux/high temperatures.

•Testing solar reactors and receivers up to 14kW incident solar power.

•Research on solar driven hydrogen production by thermochemical cycles.

•Solar fuels and chemicals production.

•Testing concentrating photovoltaic compact modules.

•Testing advanced thermal fluids for heat transfer and thermal storage.

•Testing daylighting devices for high flux collectors.

•Synthesis and surface modification of materials.



The centre is looking for commercial agreement; the partner sought should be a company active in developing new markets for solar fuels, daylighting, concentrating photovoltaics and concentrating solar power materials and components. Technical assistance from partner is required to establish the testing procedure and to validate the experimental results. 



The institute is also looking for research cooperation agreements with other research centres and companies to foster the technology basis of their research based on research projects or contracts.

Advantages and Innovations

Compared with real solar concentrators, the high-flux solar simulators provide extremely controlled conditions and enable conducting indoor testing without any perturbation due to solar resource availability. 



Flexible operation in terms of total power, heat flux distribution and working time makes this device particularly adapted to test materials, components and processes for commercial as well as research purposes.

Stage Of Development

Already on the market

Requested partner

The centre is looking for commercial agreement; the partner sought should be a company active in developing new markets for solar fuels, daylighting, concentrating photovoltaics and concentrating solar power materials and components. Technical assistance from partner is required to establish the testing procedure and to validate the experimental results. 



The institute is also looking for research cooperation agreements with other research centres and companies to foster the technology basis of their research based on research projects or contracts.