CSP World

The UK may not be the best choice to deploy a Concentrated Solar Power plant, but when it comes to research new and innovative CSP systems, it's not an issue. This is the case of the Cranfield University, a 'new' player which is gaining relevance in the field of CSP researching.

Cranfield University's team, led by Dr. Chris Sansom, has been involved in a number of CSP projects in recent years, such as the MATS Project or the FRESH NRG, both funded under the EU's 7th Framwork Programme.

Cranfield's CSP team is also working on a solar cooker, jointly with Pakistan COMSATS to significantly improve the quality of life for rural communities in the developing world.

Last year, Cranfield and UK company Global CSP announced they are joining efforts to develop two solar energy projects involving a CSP collector and an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) generator. Global CSP is the developer of an innovative sealed 'solar captor' especially designed for small-scale systems.

Now, Cranfield University is expanding its facilities with the new 'Global CSP Laboratory - The UK Centre for Concentrating Solar Thermal Manufacturing'. The opening will be held next March, 26.

Sponsored by Global CSP, the opening ceremony will commence at 13:00 in Precision Engineering Institute, Building 90, followed by Lunch in the Vincent Building at 13:30 and a tour to showcase current research which will depart from the Vincent Building at 14:30.

Cranfield University’s ‘Global CSP Laboratory’ is intended to be the home of an internationally recognised research and manufacturing team working on Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) and Solar Thermal (ST) technologies and their applications. This is the largest CSP research activity in the UK and the only UK representative on the EERA (European Energy Research Alliance) Joint Committee on CSP.

Furthermore, Cranfield University is holding a three days 'short course' on CSP during March, 26 - 28. Delivered through a combination of lectures, practical sessions and a group exercise, this short course will allow participants to broaden their knowledge of solar collector designs and solar coating technology, and will provide an overview of all aspects of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) technology.

The topics covered in the course comprise: its use for electrical power generation, heating and cooling; water desalination; the provision of industrial process heat; and
off-grid medium and small scale cooking and water purification for remote regions of the world.