ybrid Solar Plants for Energy Generation (HYPERGEN)

The HYPERGEN project aims to develop a new generation of hybrid solar plants with bifacial concentrators, integrating photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) technology. This advancement seeks to maximize the utilization of the solar resource and improve energy performance to meet the demand for electricity and industrial heat, thus contributing to the decarbonization of the energy sector, which is responsible for 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, solar technologies have significant limitations: conventional PV systems only utilize a portion of the solar spectrum (400-1100 nm) and have limited energy storage capacity, while CSP plants rely exclusively on direct normal irradiance (DNI), reducing their operability in regions with high diffuse radiation or haze and airborne dust episodes, which are increasingly frequent due to climate change. HYPERGEN proposes to overcome these barriers through the creation of hybrid bifacial solar collectors, designed to capture both direct and diffuse radiation and harness the full solar spectrum, even in adverse meteorological conditions.

The project focuses on two main innovations: hybrid bifacial heliostats for tower plants, capable of harnessing global radiation and ground albedo; and hybrid bifacial parabolic trough collectors (PTCs), designed to optimize the use of the solar resource. These technologies will allow for efficient operation in low DNI scenarios, further reducing capital expenditures (CAPEX) and operational expenditures (OPEX) due to lower land and infrastructure requirements for the same installed power capacity. Additionally, challenges such as soiling on the rear surfaces of the collectors, the development of advanced high-reflectance materials, and the generation of knowledge regarding understudied solar radiation components will be addressed, maximizing the positive impact offered by the advantages of these proposed innovative plants. The results of HYPERGEN will contribute to accelerating the deployment of renewable energies, complementing power generation after sunset or in unfavorable conditions, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring a stable and predictable supply. This project aligns with the objectives of the State Plan for Scientific Research and the transition towards a decarbonized society, offering innovative and sustainable solutions to current energy and climate challenges.