Solar Thermal and Concentrating Solar Power: Technology and Applications

Tuesday 1 December 2015, CMRI Building 38, Cranfield University, UK

Solar Thermal (ST) and Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CST/CSP) technologies provide many challenges for engineers in the UK including the optimisation of manufacturing methods to reduce costs and the pursuit of new applications. This event will focus on ST/CST activities in the UK. The day will include presentations from academic and industrial experts based in the UK and Europe, providing a platform for discussion of how the UK can increase its activity in this truly global market.

The event is sponsored by the EU funded STAGE-STE project whose aim is to encourage collaboration between all stakeholders in the field of solar thermal energy technologies and is co-organised by the EPSRC Centre in Ultra Precision.

There will ample opportunities for networking, time to review current research and manufacturing activities in the UK, and to tour Cranfield University’s laboratories and workshops associated with solar energy research.

Confirmed speakers:

Concentrating Solar Power Research at Cranfield University
Dr Chris Sansom, Associate Professor in Concentrating Solar Power, Cranfield University

The STAGE-STE Project: Towards a Common Approach to STE Research in Europe
Dr Nick Jarraud, Scientific Co-ordinator, The Cyprus Institute

Dealing with Extreme Heat in Aerospace and Solar Energy Applications
Prof Jose Endrino, Head of Surface Engineering and Nanotechnology Institute, Cranfield University

Verification of High Accuracy Projector Based Metrology Systems
Dr Michael McCarthy, Head of the NPL Freeform Centre, National Physical Laboratory

Developing an Evacuated Flat Plate Collector
Dr Stan Shire, Associate Professor, University of Warwick

Solar Steam Technology
Mr Simone Perini, KTP Associate/Renewable Energy Engineer, Larkfleet

Low Temperature Isothermal Organic Rankine Cycle Engine for Desalination
Mr Opubo Igobo, Researcher, Aston University

CSP Cooling Systems: Water and Energy Demands
Dr Kumar Patchigolla, Lecturer in Carbon Capture and Storage, Cranfield University

Solar Integrated Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Microalgae
Dr Matt Pearce, Director, Phycofeeds Limited

Cranfield University houses the only UK academic research team working exclusively on concentrating solar thermal and related technologies, with current projects including concentrating solar power for electrical power generation, solar collector characterisation and ageing evaluation, polymer films for solar power plant heliostats and line-focus solar collectors, linear Fresnel community scale CSP, heliostat design and manufacture, solar thermal heating and cooling, solar driven desalination and water purification, thermal storage, and nanostructured thermo-electric devices for energy harvesting. Current collaborations include work not only in the UK but also with Egypt, Italy, Spain, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Libya, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, USA, and French Guiana.

Cranfield University is the sole UK representative on the EERA-Joint Committee on CSP which steers EU research in CSP, and has been approved through the DECC Technical excellence Framework as a supplier of solar thermal research and manufacturing technology.

The Global CSP Laboratory at Cranfield University also currently contains 10 PhD students and supervises 10 Masters student projects, all working on solar thermal technology, and also runs international short courses on Concentrating Solar Power and Renewable Energy Modelling.

Details on how to reach Cranfield University can be found on the website: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/About/Locations-and-contacts/How-to-find-Cranfield

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