Current projects

ALFR Patent - Patent Application for Advanced Linear Fresnel Reflector Solar Concentrator

The main 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 funding.

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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 modelling, installation, 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 to increase the conversion efficiency of solar energy. The project is implmented in conjunction with the EMSP and PECS platforms, and the INIESC research infrastructure.

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EERES4WATER - Promoting Energy-water Nexus resource efficiency through Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

A Project 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.

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ENBRAIN - Building capacity in Renewable and sustAINable ENergy for Libya

ENBRAIN is an Erasmus+ project aimed at capacity building in higher education in the area of renewable energy in Libyan universities. It is based on the premise that the challenge of sustainability requires the need for energy to reduce inequalities, with higher education institutions being key players in creating and training new generations. The project includes some key actions such as the design and accreditation of a Master in Renewable and Sustainable Energy, training of teachers and researchers, seed courses and two MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).

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GRECO - Fostering a Next Generation of European Photovoltaic Society through Open Science

GRECO is a multinational action research project, whose main objective is the practical application of the concept of Open Science and other approaches such as RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation) or Citizen Science to a research project in the photovoltaic sector. It contemplates the involvement of citizens in concrete actions such as the collection of information about pv installations and has an App (Generation Solar) that seeks to promote a community of citizens engaged in pv solar.

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HPS2 – High Performance Solar 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°). The testing is implemented on the EMSP platform.

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INSHIP – Integrating National Research Agendas on Solar Heat for Industrial Processes

INSHIP 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.

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NEWSOL – New StOrage Latent and sensible concept for high efficient CSP Plants

It is a project 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 thermocline separation and concrete modules. It also includes the validation of the performance of different types of materials.

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PEARL-PV – 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 aimed at forming a European network of researchers and specialists in photovoltaic systems.

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POCITYF - POsitive Energy CITY Transformation Framework

The main objective of this project 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.

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SFERA-III – Solar Facilities for the European Research Area – Third Phase

SFERA-III 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 reserch activities.

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SolaQua – Accessible, reliable and affordable solar irrigation for Europe and beyond

SolaQua aims to increase the share of renewable energy in Europe, by combining photovoltaic and hydraulic technology with high efficiency irrigation. Solar irrigation will allow the supply of energy for irrigation with zero emissions and a cost up to 70% lower than existing fossil fuel based solutions. Some of the technological knowledge, materials and tools that will be shared in this project are the result of experiences tested in the MASLOWATEN project, directed to develop high power photovoltaic irrigation systems.

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Solar Tech – Transferência de Tecnologia e Conhecimento em Energia Solar e Armazenamento de Energia

Project aimed to transfer technology and knowledge to the business sector, focused on the application of three major technological lines: solar photovoltaic associated with high-power pumping or irrigation systems; solar thermal for process heat in industry; and photovoltaic for residential energy and services, using advanced batteries, with intelligent management and integration.