Today, International Sun Day, the Renewable Energies Chair at University of Évora starts its presence on the social network Linkedin. This date, designated to promote solar energy, is important for a research center that has as its mission the development of technological solutions and applications of solar energy for the decarbonization of different sectors of the economy in a context of energy transition.
RE Chair's research activity is focused on solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy, thermal or electric energy storage, solar energy supply for industry and agriculture, and strategies for integrating solar resources and energy systems, in addition to thermosolar electricity generation.
It is involved in the development of different solar concentrators, using non-image optics concepts, an area in which it has specific skills and experience, applied to Linear Fresnel concentrators, to point concentrators exploring concepts such as beam down and parabolic concentrators composed of stationary or quasi-stationary type for medium temperature applications. These research activities in solar energy concentration are part of the scope of INIESC - National Research Infrastructure on Solar Energy Concentration, which is part of the National Roadmap of Research Infrastructures (RNIE), which is led by the RE Chair, in partnership with the National Laboratory of Energy and Geology, IP (LNEG).
In its recent intervention, RE Chair was able to achieve important advances in the development of a research infrastructure in the field of the use of molten salt for thermosolar electricity generation, and the structure of the hydraulic loop and electrical systems of the Évora Molten Salt Platform (EMSP) demonstration center was completed, in conjunction with projects such as HPS2 and MS-OPERA.
In its field of activity, RE Chair develops interventions in areas such as the testing of solar collectors for the generation of heat of industrial process, maintenance and optimization of photovoltaic systems, with application of techniques of repair of modules, storage systems and differentiated applications, promotion of water treatment activities, training and cooperation activities, and participation in international cooperation networks between research infrastructures.
Areas that are present in a diverse portfolio of projects:
ALFR Patent - Patent Application for Advanced Linear Fresnel Reflector Solar Concentrator
The central objective of this project is to support European Patent Application Nr. 3524901: "Compact Linear Fresnel Reflective Solar Concentrator Design for Direct Molten Salt Operation as Heat Transfer Fluid in Evacuated Tubes". The project includes material and financial support for the costs inherent to the patent application, with Portugal 2020 financing (ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-040164).
ALFR-Alentejo - Installation, testing and analysis of an Advanced Linear Fresnel Reflector concentrator for the production of electricity via thermosolar with thermal storage
The objective of this project is to implement the construction, testing and analysis of a prototype solar concentrator ALFR (Advanced Linear Fresnel Reflector) for the production of electricity via thermosolar and couple it to thermal storage systems with mixtures of molten salts, in order to operate at temperatures above 500ºC, and in order to increase the conversion efficiency of solar energy. It has Alentejo 2020 funding, with nr. 039487.
EERES4WATER - Promoting Energy-water Nexus resource efficiency through Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
An INTERREG Atlantic Project (EAPA_1058/2018) that aims to involve institutional, technical and social structures in promoting the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency in the water cycle. It seeks to provide the necessary tools to overcome the challenges of the Nexus-Energy-Water, with recommendations, innovative technological solutions, support for services and decision-making, cooperation, provision of information and awareness raising.
ENBRAIN - Building capacity in Renewable and sustAINable ENergy for Libya
ENBRAIN is an Erasmus+ project: Key Action 2 – Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices (nr. 585221) aimed at training higher education in the area of renewable energy in Libyan universities. It starts from the premise that the challenge of sustainability requires energy to eradicate global poverty, and educational institutions are fundamental actors to create and empower new generations.
GRECO - Fostering a Next Generation of European Photovoltaic Society through Open Science
GRECO is a multinational research-action project, funded by the H2020 programme, with nr. 787289, which has as main objective the practical application of the concept of Open Science and other approaches such as Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) or Citizen Science to a research project in the photovoltaic sector.
HPS2 - High Solar Performance 2
This project aims to analyze the efficiency and reliability of parabolic plants with molten salt as a means of heat transfer at high temperatures, replacing the use of thermal oil as a mode of heat transfer generated by solar radiation. Molten salts have advantages over the level of lower costs and heating potential at higher maximum temperatures (up to 560°).
INSHIP– Integrating National Research Agendas on Solar Heat for Industrial Processes
INSHIP (H2020 – GA 731287) aims to define a common European research and innovation agenda involving large European research institutions, with recognized activity in the area of solar process heat, through an integrated structure that aims to: greater effectiveness and intensity of cooperation between institutions; alignment of national research and funding programmes; identification of gaps and duplications; and knowledge transfer to the industry.
NEWSOL – New StOrage Latent and sensible concept for high efficient CSP Plants
It is an H2020 project (GA 720985), whose main objective is to develop innovative thermal energy storage solutions, using new functional and advanced materials, with thermal fluids, sensitive storage media and insulating materials, in two concepts of single tank storage with thermoclime separation and concrete module. It also includes the validation of the performance of different types of materials.
PEARLPV - Performance and Reliability of Photovoltaic Systems: Evaluations of Large-Scale Monitoring Data
PEARLPV's main objective is to improve the energy performance and reliability of photovoltaic solar power systems, achieving lower costs of electricity produced by photovoltaic systems, higher energy yield, longer service life beyond the 20 years specified by producers, and reduction in risk perception of investments in photovoltaic projects. This project is an EU COST Action (CA16235).
POCITYF - POsitive Energy CITY Transformation Framework
The main objective of this H2020 project (nr. 864400) is to support historic cities to become greener, smarter and more livable, without jeopardizing their cultural heritage, by establishing a set of Positive Energy Districts, in which renewable energy production should be higher than consumption, in terms of the annual average. These experiences started in two Lighthouse cities: Évora and Alkmaar, and will be replicated in six other European cities.
SFERA-III – Solar Facilities for the European Research Area – Third Phase
SFERA-III (H2020 nº823802) seeks to continue the SFERA 1 and SFERA 2 projects, and to strengthen the sustainability of European research infrastructure activities in the area of advanced concentrated solar energy. It includes networking and cooperation between research infrastructures, the scientific community, industry and other stakeholders; transnational activities for European researchers; and joint investigation activities.
