To promote growth and innovation in the generation of thermal energy through the application of Concentrated Solar Power. This is the goal of the project. infrasol in which the University of Extremadura, coordinator of the initiative, and Scientific and Technological Research Center of Extremadura (Cicytex), through a team from the Forest Resource Technology Sector of its ICMC Institute.

With this work they want to take advantage of solar energy through concentration systems that make it possible to replace fossil fuels in the production of steam and hot water, thus promoting the decarbonization of industrial processes and reducing their environmental impact. does. The project will test Fresnel solar technology in the industrial sector. It is a solar system that is easy to manufacture, install and maintain, which works optimally for the required temperature range in the facilities intended for the project.

For this study, two prototypes developed in the Poptec Idarsexa project will be used. Within the framework of this work, the team of researchers from the University of Extremadura installed a solar prototype in an industry whose process requires thermal energy for the production of steam. On their part, researchers from the Cork, Wood and Charcoal Institute (ICMC) worked with a solar prototype to energetically optimize the cork firing process in the preparation industry, which requires thermal energy to heat water . This prototype has been integrated in such a way that it supports the operation of heating the used water.

At Infrasol, both plants will be used to optimize the operation of these types of solar thermal systems in the above two applications, studying the possibilities of integration into industrial processes as a sustainable and economical option. The tests that are about to be carried out will make it possible to study not only their thermal behaviour, but also their long-term maintenance requirements. In addition, they will improve the knowledge that researchers and companies have about this technology.

Finally, to guarantee the sustainability of the proposals and to validate the system at all levels, a multifactorial, environmental, economic and social analysis will be carried out, extrapolated to other plants with similar characteristics. The results will be transferred to the scientific-technical community after the project ends in December 2024.