Optimal Solar Systems for Industrial Heat and Power

INDHEAP project will demonstrate at TRL7 that it is worth considering solar thermal (ST) and photovoltaic (PV) energies in combination to address the heat and power needs of mid temperature industrial processes, up to 250°C.

As for it, INDHEAP will highlight the synergy between the different technologies with the development and integration of a core flexible Thermal Energy Storage, boosted by electric heaters (named e-TES) that is the key for a rational use of thermal and electrical solar renewable energy.

The project will rely on the development of specific methodology and tools, tested on different case studies from industrial project’s partners, as to : 1) reduce heat and power peak demands with an optimization of the current energy efficiency for the industrial process, (best use of waste heat and analyse of demand’s elasticity)2) define the best share between ST and PV based on technical-eco-environmental criteria3) define the ST-PV hybrid system’s architecture, the presizing of components, and the global control maximizing the use of solar heat and power. 4) develop the specific components for the best integration and use of ST and PV plants in synergy, e.g. the flexible e-TES, but also PV panels integration enablers, low cost / mid temperature solar collectors and a smart hybrid controller for heat and power joined management.A prototype (ST up to 300 kWth, PV up to 20 kWp, e-TES up to 1 MWh) will be installed on an industrial process of lubricants blending, owned by Total Energies in Spain, to validate the concept at TRL7 with a one year test campaign.

The replicability of the demo is hundreds of equivalent sites.

Finally, from results gained, a global upscaling and replication potential across the South Europe and MENA areas will be achieved to assess the societal and economic benefits of the concept to meet the Net Zero by 2050 ambitions. INDHEAP will support the EU in reducing dependency to natural gas, while reaching climate targets