Technological innovations to improve the viability of concentrated solar thermal power plants (INTECsol)

This is a project of the Materials for Concentrated Solar Power Technologies Unit at the Plataforma Solar de Almería (https://www.psa.es/es/unidades/umat/proyectos/intecsol.php), whose focus is on providing innovative solutions for two critical components of concentrated solar power plants: the solar reflector and the receiver (for both parabolic trough and central tower systems). This is achieved through the analysis and development of new components and the implementation of innovative materials and improved component properties. The CIESOL functional unit team will contribute collaboratively to the tasks of Action 1 of the project: improving the overall performance of solar reflectors in any CSP plant by studying and applying new anti-fouling (AFP) coatings under real operating conditions; developing a corrosion prediction system to evaluate and predict solar field efficiency; and studying and analyzing degradation mechanisms caused by ultraviolet radiation in combination with ambient temperature and humidity.