What Is the FOCUS Solar Thermal Power Project?
The FOCUS represents an innovative solar parabolic dish concentrator design capable of delivering an abundance of clean, inexpensive thermal energy for a wide range of applications. It is a concentrated solar power (CSP) solution, utilizing a patented parabolic dish concentrator design that takes full advantage of the complete solar irradiance spectrum. With highly efficient solar thermal energy technology, the FOCUS uses an innovative optical design and dual-axis tracking to maximize energy capture year-round. Designed from inception to minimize lifetime costs, this system embodies flexible, clean, inexpensive thermal power – truly a breakthrough when 50% of global energy consumption is in the form of heat.
Main Benefits and Key Figures
Key features of the FOCUS include:
- Clean, renewable energy source – operates solely on direct sunlight, powered by onboard PV and battery systems.
- Low cost thermal energy – designed to minimize Levelized Cost of Heat (LCOH) by delivering significantly higher energy yields relative to competitors.
- Manufactured from low-cost, resilient metals – built with steel and aluminum using proven manufacturing techniques from the aerospace and automotive industries.
- Highly land-efficient and mast-mounted – requires only a limited area, making it ideal for various terrains and environments.
- Easy installation, auto-calibration, and minimal maintenance – installation and commissioning are streamlined, often completed in a matter of hours.
- Wide range of usable temperatures – capable of delivering thermal energy from 50ºC up to 600ºC depending on the heat transfer fluid and specific application.
Innovative Technology and Design
Built with a focus on innovation and efficiency, the FOCUS uses a unique optical design that permits both axial and radial control of the focal plane. This clever arrangement improves manufacturability and energy conversion efficiency, avoiding losses that normally occur when converting solar energy into electricity. The system is made almost entirely of cost-effective steel and aluminum and is fully recyclable, with no rare earth metals or toxic substances. The design, borrowing techniques from the aerospace and automotive sectors, ensures that the concentrator is robust, reliable, and ideally suited for challenging environments… It really stands out in the marketplace.
Efficient Operation and Ease of Installation
The FOCUS operates by employing dual-axis tracking to follow the sun, ensuring optimal capture of solar radiation throughout the day. With its mast-mounted parabolic reflector dish, solar radiation is reflected onto a central receiver which heats a circulating thermal fluid. This heated fluid then passes through a heat exchanger producing high-temperature steam or other fluids as required by the application. Notably, the FOCUS can be installed and calibrated in just a few hours, with automated system calibration following shortly after installation. This ease of installation, combined with minimal maintenance requirements, makes the FOCUS particularly appealing for remote and distributed power applications.
Diverse Applications and Economic Advantages
The FOCUS is designed to address the vast market need for thermal energy, which accounts for 50% of global energy consumption. Its capacity to produce clean and low-cost thermal energy makes it ideal for a variety of applications, including industrial process heat, space heating and cooling, hot water supply, and water desalination and purification. Moreover, its high energy yield compared to conventional solar photovoltaic systems and parabolic trough technologies gives it a significant economic edge. By integrating large-scale thermal energy storage – which is both feasible and much cheaper than electrical storage – the FOCUS delivers a substantial cost advantage over systems relying solely on electrical generation modes.
Project Impact on Global Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: Provides a renewable and clean thermal energy source that is sustainable over its lifetime.
- SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Leverages innovative design and advanced manufacturing techniques to drive industrial evolution.
- SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Supports clean energy applications for space heating and cooling, improving urban sustainability.
- SDG 13 – Climate Action: Offers a zero-emission solution to decarbonize thermal energy production, mitigating environmental impact.
A Forward-Looking Energy Solution
The FOCUS stands as a testament to advanced solar thermal technology. With its dual-axis tracking system and optimized design, it maximizes solar capture with minimal operational costs. It turns a significant challenge – decarbonizing our global thermal footprint – into an opportunity to innovate and invest in clean energy. This system is designed to operate autonomously in the field, under remote supervision, and with little maintenance, making it an ideal candidate for diverse scenarios, from industrial sites to remote power applications. Innovative, efficient, and cost-effective, the FOCUS is a forward-looking energy solution that combines environmental sustainability with economic benefits, paving the way for a cleaner and more efficient energy future…
