SOLAR-ERA.NET has launched the second set of the Transnational Calls for PV and CSP. Preproposals must be submitted by 30 April 2014.
SOLAR-ERA.NET is a FP7 funded European network of national and regional funding organisations and RTD and innovation programmes in the field of solar electricity generation.
The general scope of the SOLAR-ERA.NET transnational calls are to: i) seek new and complementary RTD and innovation projects in the field of solar electricity technologies; ii) to strengthen the international collaboration in the field of solar power RTD and innovation, improving the effectiveness and efficiency of regional and national programmes; and iii) to contribute both to European industry competitiveness and to its innovation capability.
The following topics are within scope of the second transnational call:
SOLAR-ERA.NET transnational call PV2:
PV2.1 Innovative processes for inorganic thin-film cells & modules
PV2.2 Dedicated modules for BIPV design and manufacturing
PV2.3 Grid integration and large-scale deployment of PV
PV2.4 High-efficiency PV modules based on next generation c-Si solar cells
PV2.5 Solar glass and encapsulation materials
PV2.6 Concentrator PV technology
PV2.7 Si feedstock, crystallization and wafering
SOLAR-ERA.NET transnational call CSP2:
CSP2.1 Cost reduction and efficiency increase in components
CSP2.2 Dispatchability through storage and hybridisation
CSP2.3 New fluids for CSP plants
CSP2.4 Innovative thermodynamic cycles
The aim is to fund industrially relevant transnational RTD and innovation projects in the field of solar electricity technologies. The project proposals must clearly demonstrate:
Potential commercial impact / relevance to industrial and market needs / contribution to the Solar Europe Industry Initiative and added transnational value
Scientific and technological excellence
Quality and efficiency of the implementation and the management
Topics for SOLAR-ERA.NET transnational call CSP2 for Concentrated Solar Power
CSP2.1 Cost reduction and efficiency increase in components:
Innovative actions for cost reduction could be related to low cost structures, low cost reliable joints, new absorber tube manufacturing, new mirrors and other innovations in key components. Mirrors with higher reflectivity, new absorber tubes characteristics, advanced solar receivers and an improvement in the general layout of the plant will maximize the electricity produced, and hence increase the overall efficiency of the system. These efforts not only apply to the project itself but also to O&M routines. For example, new developments in mirror cleaning procedures present an obvious opportunity to increase the production of the plant.
CSP2.2 Dispatchability through storage and hybridisation with conventional or renewable sources:
On one hand, improvements shall be achieved through hybridisation, i.e. biomass firing in auxiliary burners, pilot demonstration on solar/biomass and solar / natural gas or solar integration tests into existing fossil fuelled plants and, on the other hand, through new design storage tanks/systems.
CSP2.3 New fluids for CSP plants:
New transfer fluids shall be designed to reduce the freezing point and to increase the maximum temperature without chemical degradation. Besides this, innovation in less environmentally hazardous oils would be a step forward towards more sustainable plants. Also, molten salts for power plants with thermal storage should be improved. To achieve such improvements, research must be carried out not only on the fluids but also on the materials (solar receivers, pipes, pumps, etc.) in contact with the fluid.
CSP2.4 Innovative thermodynamic cycles:
Using other cycles such as Brayton or Stirling cycles may provide significant advantages in future plant designs.
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