Air-based Solar Thermal Electricity for Efficient Renewable Energy Integration & Compressed

The project combines Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) with a central air receiver and Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) to maximize energy conversion efficiency and grid energy management, enabling a new operational strategy and innovative business models.

The hybrid concept proposes adaptable renewable power plants that produce both electricity and thermal energy, including process heat supply and reverse osmosis desalination. Since low-cost off-peak electricity is used to power the air compression work of the upper Brayton cycle, the proposed plant’s overall solar-to-electric conversion efficiency can reach up to 40%, roughly doubling the peak efficiency of the most advanced current CSP technology.

The project activities include the techno-economic and environmental optimization of the innovative CSP-CAES plant using representative boundary conditions provided by grid operators and expert partners, as well as the development and comprehensive testing of the key components required for implementation.

The main developments include:
(i) an advanced high-efficiency solar receiver,
(ii) optical sensors and AI-based control,
(iii) optimized CAES with heat exchangers and detailed compressor/expander designs, and
(iv) innovative integration of desalination.