Helmholtz spin-off to commercialize Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) tower system

The concentrated solar power is directly absorbed by nearly black ceramic particles in the receiver.

Sunbelt Energy Technologies – solar tower system with integrated energy storage system for the production of electricity and heat for industrial high-temperature processes.

The solar tower system under development is designed for the production of electricity and heat for high-temperature industrial processes in countries which get a lot of sun. The system was developed at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), using its expertise in solar receivers and related system technologies. The concentrated solar power is directly absorbed by nearly black ceramic particles in the receiver. The particles are used in a cycle both to absorb the energy and to store it. The system delivers hot air with an integrated storage system to compensate for fluctuations in solar radiation and can even provide energy at night. The system’s unique selling point is the receiver’s basic components. The proposed spin-off will take over the commercial exploitation of the technology as soon as the system’s validation at the solar tower in Jülich has been successfully completed.

 

The Helmholtz Association is providing up to €130,000 of funding for each of four new spin-off proposals by Helmholtz researchers. This brings the total number of Helmholtz centre spin-offs funded by the Association through its Initiative and Networking Fund to 86 since 2005. The Helmholtz Enterprise funding programme supports spin-offs during the critical start-up phase, helping research findings to be applied rapidly for the benefit of society and the economy.

Enabling research findings to be rapidly translated into practical applications is one of the Helmholtz Association’s primary aims, according to Rolf Zettl, Managing Director of the Association. “For achieving this goal, we support scientists from our centres who aim to take their ideas and become entrepreneurs, above all in the difficult early stages”, he says, adding that the Helmholtz Enterprise programme is also a great help in other aspects, such as covering the staff shortages which arise at the individual Helmholtz Centres when spin-offs are set up. “We also give our scientists who are founding a spin-off the necessary resources to enable them to develop their business plan, for example.” The support given also includes the provision of external management experts and intensive consultancy provided by the Helmholtz Centre transfer points.

Contact: Lars Amsbeck
Tel.: +49 (0)711 / 6862-306
Email: lars.amsbeck (at) dlr.de
German Aerospace Center (DLR)

http://www.helioscsp.com/noticia.php?id_not=2667

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