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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FRIENDS2 (Framework of Innovation for Engineering of New Durable Solar Surfaces)

Teaser

Summary

Increasing the share of renewables in the European energy mix has a key function for the security of energy supply and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions caused by fossil fuels. The general problem addressed in the project â€œFramework of Innovation for Engineering of New Durable Solar Surfacesâ€, (acronym FRIENDS2), consisted in the improvement of European innovation ability in the field of concentrated solar power (CSP), which is a technology of renewable energy supply. CSP has two significant technological advantages compared to other renewable energy technologies: intrinsic storage capacity and compatibility with backup fossil fuels. Electricity generated by CSP is dispatchable and enables to ensure base load. Innovative R&D approaches and training of motivated and highly-skilled researchers were shown to pave the way for a higher CSP plant efficiency by implementing new materials, higher operation temperatures and reducing the levelised costs of electricity.
The project aimed at achieving a European network for the transfer of knowledge to establish a shared culture of research and innovation which allows turning creative ideas in the field of surface engineering into innovative solutions for concentrating solar power (CSP) applications. It strengthened the inter-sectoral capabilities in research and development of coating designs in order to improve the performance of CSP key components (reflectors, receivers and containers for heat storage) for high-temperature applications.

According to the funding principles of the EU-RISE scheme, the project objectives included elements of research & innovation, knowledge transfer and staff development. The general objective of FRIENDS2 was to advance the development of new coating designs that can improve the performance of key materials used in a central receiver CSP plant through an efficient inter-sectoral transfer of knowledge in new coatings design, manufacturing and advanced characterization, and coating evaluation between European academic institutions and European industrial partners. The main requirements for future development and application of CSP technology are the improvement of its overall efficiency and the reduction of costs per kWh. The key components responsible for the solar to thermal energy conversion efficiency of CSP tower plants are 1) the solar absorber, 2) the concentrating mirrors, and 3) the heat-transfer fluid transport and storage system. Their performance improvement and durable long-term temperature and chemical stability were the scientific objectives of the FRIENDS2 project.

By developing, testing and validating three new types of CSP coatings with performances beyond the state of art, the project has demonstrated that intersectoral and international collaboration can result in relevant contributions to science, career development and knowledge transfer.

Work performed

The project started on January 1st, 2015. Shortly thereafter, on 22nd January 2015, the FRIENDS2 Kickoff meeting took place in Seville, Spain, with ERs and ESRs of all project partners. The R&D work of FRIENDS2 was performed in four technical work packages (WPs). In WP1 new optical coatings for central receiver solar plants were developed. WP2 dealt with the design and manufacture of innovative corrosion-resistant, protective coatings for heat storage materials. The coatings developed in work package 1 and 2 were comprehensively characterized by advanced experimental techniques, including in situ analysis, within WP3. Within this WP appropriate protocols for a standardized coating development and testing were implemented. The most promising coatings developed and characterized in these WPs were further investigated with respect to their thermal stability in WP4, started in project year 3. Based on stability tests under lab conditions, a decision was made, which coatings were most suitable for field-testing and scaling up. The field tests were carried out under environmental conditions in a solar furnace of the European test facility Plataforma Solar de Almeria. The most promising optical coatings, a multilayer solar-selective absorber and a solar selective transmitter coating, showed exceptional thermal stability up to 600 C and even up to 800 Â°C, respectively. Therefore, they are very promising candidates for application in future central receiver solar plants. For the protective coatings, a Ni3Al coating deposited by atmospheric plasma spray technique was successfully tested as being long-term stable under hot corrosion conditions relevant for thermal storage units of solar power plants. In conclusion, three new coating types were developed, characterized and approved as suitable material solutions for the next generation solar power plants.

Final results

The project yielded a measurable impact for the scientific field of CSP, the career development of the involved scientists and for the academic and industry project partner. The purpose of FRIENDS2, the strengthening of the inter-sectoral capabilities in research and development of coating designs in order to improve the performance of CSP key components (reflectors, receivers and containers for heat storage) for high-temperature applications was fully achieved. Three new coatings with high application potential for key materials and components of the next generation solar power plants were developed. In conclusion, the FRIENDS2 project generated substantial benefit in view of the scientific, economic and social challenges related to climate change.