US DoE funds 40 CSP and PV research projects

Forty projects focused on concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) and photovoltaic (PV) technologies have been awarded almost USD 40 million (EUR 34m) by the US Department of Energy (DoE).

The projects are aimed at extending the lifespan of PV systems, developing technologies to use solar in fuel and chemicals production and advancing storage.

“We are laser focused on deploying more solar power and developing more cost-effective technologies to decarbonize our electricity system,” US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, said in an announcement on Tuesday.

Thirteen projects will receive USD 25 million in funding for the development of technologies that can allow CSP plants to operate at very high temperatures, which are needed for the production of fuels and chemicals with solar.

Another three projects have been awarded a total of USD 4.5 million to help increase PV lifespan from 30 to 50 years by enabling easy-to-replace modular components and better monitoring of systems.

Three projects, awarded a total of USD 4 million, will develop long-duration thermal energy storage.

The remaining 21 projects are intended to advance PV and CSP research, encouraging wider participation though a simplified application process.

The projects are led by universities and private companies across the US.

Among the recipients is Dimensional Energy, which has been awarded USD 2.7 million to design, develop and test a solar-driven chemical reactor that can produce sustainable jet fuel. The reactor will convert captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into fuel at a target price below USD 2 per gallon. The company will work on the project in partnership with Heliogen.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.860)

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