Addressing SHIP in the incoming 3rd generation CSP-TES: the COOPERANT concept

The forthcoming third-generation concentrated solar power (CSP) plants will be able to operate at high temperatures exceeding 600 ºC, limiting the current conventional plants. This disruptive advancement unlocks new configurations that includes the integration of high-temperature thermal energy storage (TES) systems. It also constitutes a breakthrough in the decarbonisation of the industrial and energy sectors since it makes possible the alignment with European Net Zero 2050 and the SET Plan goals. This new CSP generation must deal with crucial challenges for its future commercial implementation regarding material availability, system design and performance limitations. To address these challenges, new lines of research and development must focus on developing advanced materials with great corrosion and erosion resistance for components, reducing costs for advanced materials and critical components in cycle power blocks, and cost-effective and reliable systems for high-temperature CSP-TES integration. The COOPERANT project introduces a new ground-breaking concept that incorporates cutting-edge technological solutions. Firstly, the novel COOPERANT CSP-TES prototype is designed for higher efficiency power cycles (>42%) and high temperatures (>1000ºC), paving dispatchable and uninterrupted generation. Secondly, COOPERANT-TOOL includes advanced artificial intelligence (AI) that will power the energy management of this CSP-TES integration. Finally, COOPERANT TRANSFER develops an innovative Open Science plan with strong involvement of an industrial Stakeholder Replicability Board for clustering, networking and implementation of synergetic actions within the European industry sector. The COOPERANT first-of-its-kind prototype showcases a high-performance volumetric solar receiver with custom-designed cellular morphology coupled with a novel, compact, sustainable and cost-effective TES system with a cascade approach. This hybrid packed-bed TES combines sensible and latent materials with great heat capacities (600 kWh/m3) able to operate at temperatures up to 1300ºC. Additionally, advanced AI tools (deep learning reinforcement and multi-objective optimization) facilitate energy management easing the hybridization with other RES as photovoltaics. This opens possibilities for providing CO2-free electricity and high-temperature heat for industrial applications in the cement sector (calcination, clinker formation) and in steelmaking processes (heat treatment, quenching, melting). It also promotes the decarbonisation of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and the production of solar fuels (syngas and H2).