R&D Units

High-Temperature Processes

Concentrated solar energy for industrial decarbonisation and fuel production

What We Do?

We address the decarbonisation of the energy system by harnessing solar energy for the transport sector through the synthesis of sustainable fuels and chemicals; for industry through the use of solar heat and thermal energy storage in industrial processes; and for electricity generation. Our research activities focus on the development of modular, efficient and competitive concentrated solar technologies that can be integrated into urban and industrial environments, with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency, sustainability and technological innovation.

Team Members

Dr. José González
Senior Researcher & Head of Unit
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CV
Dr. Ricardo Conceição
Senior Assistant Researcher
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Research Areas

  • Modular solar thermal devices and systems for integration into urban and industrial environments.
  • Advanced solar receivers and reactors, including pressurised, volumetric and particle-based systems, as well as heat exchangers.
  • High-temperature thermal energy storage, including thermochemical, sensible heat and phase-change storage.
  • Synthesis of solar fuels and chemicals.
  • Analysis of solar energy integration into industrial processes, heat recovery and environmental impact.

Facilities

Our research activities are organised around four main research infrastructures:

1. High-Temperature Processes Unit Computational Design Laboratory (HTPU-CDL).

2. High-Temperature Processes Unit Laboratory (HTPU-LAB).

3. 42 kWe High-Flux Solar Simulator (KIRAN42).

4. IMDEA Energy Solar Field, comprising 169 heliostats and a solar tower with two experimental platforms located at heights of 12 and 15 metres.

ACES4NET0-CM

Agata

ASTERIx-CAESar

PROMETEO

Sun – DT

SUN-to-LIQUID II

  • A solar tower fuel plant for the thermochemical production of kerosene from H2O and CO2, Zoller. S., Koepf, E., Nizamian, D., Stephan, M., Patané, A., Haueter. Ph., Romero, M., González-Aguilar, J., Lieftink, D., de Wit, E., Brendelberger, S., Sizmann, A., Steinfeld, A. (2022) Joule, 6(7), 1606 – 161620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2022.06.012
  • Soiling effect in solar energy conversion systems: A review, Conceição, R., González-Aguilar, J., Alami Merrouni, A., Romero, M. (2022) Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 162, 112434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112434
  • Solar Energy on Demand: A Review on High Temperature Thermochemical Heat Storage Systems and Materials, Carrillo, A.J., González-Aguilar, J., Romero, M., Coronado, J.M. (2019) Chemical Reviews, 119, 7, 4777-4816. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00315
  • Thermal and hydrodynamic behavior of ceramic volumetric absorbers for central receiver solar power plants: A review, Gomez-Garcia, F., González-Aguilar, J., Olalde, G., Romero, M. (2016) Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 57, 648-658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.12.106
  • Concentrating solar thermal power and thermochemical fuels, Romero, M., Steinfeld, A. (2012), Energy and Environmental Science, 5, 11, 9234-9245. https://doi.org/10.1039/c2ee21275g

15 years of experience in the development and use of experimental research infrastructures in landmark projects, including the solar clinker project developed by CEMEX and Synhelion, which received the Mission Innovation Net-Zero Industries Award during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), and SUN-to-LIQUID, which demonstrated the complete solar thermochemical conversion pathway from water and CO₂ to kerosene using a solar tower concentration system.

Coordination of research on concentrated solar technologies in the Region of Madrid through the ACES4NET0-CM research programme.

SolarPACES Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 presented to Manuel Romero in recognition of his achievements over a 40-year career dedicated to the development of concentrated solar technologies.

Finalist for Best Energy Innovation Initiative at the 2022 El Periódico de la Energía Awards for the ACES2030-CM research programme.

Energy Globe World Award 2021, together with Bauhaus Luftfahrt e.V. and ETH Zurich, for participation in the SUNlight-to-LIQUID: Integrated solarthermochemical synthesis of liquid hydrocarbon fuels project. The award was announced on 8 November during the awards ceremony held as part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26.

Alongside SUNlight-to-LIQUID, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy from Germany and Wave Swell Energy from Australia were also recognised in the “Fire” category.

National Energy Globe Award Spain 2021, recognising the project as the most outstanding environmental project in Spain in the national category.

SolarPACES Technology Innovation Award 2022 presented to the SUN-to-LIQUID project for the development of a novel solar technology for the production of jet fuel for the aviation industry.

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