Research project corresponding to the call 2020 and reference: PID2020-119693RB-C31, within the State Program of Research, Development and Innovation Oriented Challenges of the Society (Research Challenges 2020).
The HECTOR project proposes a multidisciplinary research on central receiver concentrating solar thermal systems to enhance their optical performance for very high temperature applications, being that ones understood as those that involve very high average solar density fluxes, typically above 1,500 kW/m2, such as solar thermochemistry, high-temperature industrial processes and power generation by gas turbines.
The following three fundamental aspects are addressed:
(i) Conceptual designs from small-to-large scale implementation of low-visual impact, modular solar fields for high-concentration central receiver solar systems and easy integration in chemical and industrial zones.
(ii) Advanced high-flux and high-temperature monitoring able to measure concentrating solar radiation intensity in the proximity of the small-aperture cavity receivers, which are usually designed for high concentration ratio applications (i.e. solar thermochemistry).
(iii) Accurate and reliable self-calibration and aiming point strategies in solar fields in order to respond to the high technical requirements when high-flux operation is needed. These will require to develop control algorithms and methodologies that will be tested in facilities in real operation conditions.
Partners: IMDEA Energy Institute
Funding Institution/Program: MCIN/ AEI /10.13039/501100011033 / Research Challenges 2020
Period: September 2021-February 2025
IMDEA Energy Institute external funding: 145.200 €
IPs IMDEA Energy: Dr. José González / Dr. Manuel Romero
