Concentrating solar power (CSP) is emerging as a promising technology in the solar fuels field, offering a potential solution to produce fuel without relying on fossil energy. Unlike conventional solar panels, concentrating systems are larger and more complex, but they can deliver high heat for fuel production. Researchers are exploring various methods to make CSP more efficient and cost-effective.

One recent breakthrough comes from engineers at MIT, who have developed a more efficient approach to solar thermochemical hydrogen production. By redesigning the process and utilizing a train of boxy reactors, the team has been able to capture up to 40% of solar energy. This improvement is significant considering that only about 7% of sunlight was previously used for hydrogen production.
Another innovation comes from engineers at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. They have focused on improving the transfer of heat from the concentrating solar power system to the reactor interior. Using a parabolic trough-style CSP system, they heat a solar reactor to 1,500 degrees Celsius. The reactor contains a porous ceramic structure made of cerium oxide, which allows heat to reach the interior with minimal interference. This design, fabricated using an extrusion-based 3D printer, has proven to be highly efficient.

The ETH team’s reactor combines water-splitting with captured carbon dioxide, producing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide that can be further processed into liquid kerosene jet fuel. These advancements in CSP technology show great potential for sustainable fuel production.
These developments open up new opportunities for concentrated solar power globally. Synhelion, a company that has spun out of the ETH research, has licensed the 3D printing technology and plans to demonstrate a solar kerosene jet fuel plant in Germany integrated with a CSP plant. Construction is already underway, and Swiss International Air Lines is lined up to test the fuel in their aircraft.

In the United States, concentrating solar power received attention during the Obama administration, with five high-profile CSP systems showcased to stimulate the solar industry. While there was a lull under the Trump administration, the Department of Energy continued to support research in this area. They even broke ground on a pilot-scale CSP plant in New Mexico aimed at storing one gigawatt for one hour. This facility, part of the Generation 3 CSP program, utilizes ceramic particles and aims to reach a temperature of 720 degrees Celsius.
Overall, these advancements in concentrating solar power have the potential to transform the solar fuels industry, offering a cleaner and more sustainable method for fuel production.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are solar fuels?

Solar fuels are synthetic fuels produced using renewable energy sources like solar, wind, marine, or geothermal energy. These fuels, such as hydrogen gas combined with captured carbon, provide an alternative to fossil fuels.
2. How does concentrating solar power work?

Concentrating solar power systems use mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a receiver, which absorbs the heat and converts it into useful energy. This high-temperature heat can be utilized for various applications, including fuel production.
3. What are the advantages of concentrating solar power for fuel production?

Concentrating solar power offers the advantage of producing high heat for fuel production without relying on fossil energy. It utilizes renewable resources and has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fuel production methods.
4. How efficient are the latest developments in CSP technology?

Recent innovations in CSP technology have significantly improved energy efficiency. For example, researchers at MIT have achieved capturing up to 40% of solar energy for hydrogen production, while engineers at ETH Zurich have demonstrated a 3D-printed structure that produces twice the amount of fuel compared to conventional designs under the same level of heat.
5. What are the future prospects of concentrating solar power?

Concentrating solar power has great potential for sustainable fuel production and can contribute to reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Ongoing research and development efforts aim to further improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the scalability of CSP technology.

Daniel Hall