CSP – How Concentrated Solar Power Works

The smarter E Podcast Episode 150 | September 14, 2023 | Language: English

A really hot topic: Using solar energy through highly concentrated mirror systems, we can achieve high temperatures of 150 - 1500 Celsius to drive power cycles (electricity generation) or industrial processes such as cement production or green hydrogen. The technology is commonly known as concentrating solar power (CSP) and typically includes storage to provide energy even when the sun is not shining. But how far along is CSP technology? How does it differ from PV? Where is the greatest potential? And what role will CSP play in a future renewable energy mix?

We talk to Wes Stein. He is Chief Research Scientist for Solar Technologies at CSIRO, Australia's national science organization and chair of the SolarPaces Conference 2023.

Timeline:

  • 02:22 How does CSP work, what are the main advantages & differences to PV?
  • 08:55 What role does CSP play in providing heat for industrial processes?
  • 13:13 Current global market: What is the current market for CSP? Which countries & regions have the most potential?
  • 17:56 Future prospects and current R&D hot topics

About The smarter E Podcast

The smarter E podcast is all about the current trends and developments in a renewable, decentralized and digital energy industry. Our moderators Tobias Bücklein and Zackes Brustik welcome and interview personalities who shape our industry and drive developments forward. A new episode is published every Thursday.

Click on the logo to listen to the podcast on the platform of your choice.

About Wes Stein

Wes Stein, Chief Research Scientist for Solar Technologies at CSIRO

Wes Stein is a Chief Research Scientist for Solar Technologies at CSIRO. He has been active in CSP research for over 25 years and was instrumental in establishing the National Solar Energy Centre at CSIRO, including building Australia's first solar tower. He is also the Chief Technologist for the Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute where he leads the development of strategies and technologies for the next generation of CSP. Prior to CSIRO, he worked in the power industry for 20 years in power station operation and design, as well as investigating and developing new energy technologies for utilities.

Content Partner

The smarter E Podcast

Bereits seit Frühjahr 2020 begrüßen wir im The smarter E Podcast Gäste zu allen Facetten der Energiewende. Nachhören lohnt sich!

Alle Podcast-Folgen in der Übersicht

The World’s Leading Exhibition for the Solar Industry
Learn more
Further Content
Expert Interview
Saxony the Hydrogen State – Dawn of a Sustainable Future

January 9, 2024

Alongside photovoltaics, batteries and thermal storage, green hydrogen is seen as a beacon of hope for a sustainable energy economy. How far along are developments in the hydrogen sector? Is it a fuel of the future or is it already a reality? We discuss this with several experts from the Saxony region.

Jenny Chase, analyst with BloombergNEF's global Solar Insight Service
Global Market Development 2024: A Year of Solar Superlatives?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 160 | Language: English

December 21, 2023

We speak with Jenny Chase about the astonishing and at the same time controverse developments in the global solar market.

Trend Paper
Drivers of the Portable Battery Storage Market

January 12, 2024

Portable battery storage systems are meeting increasing interest worldwide. This trend paper shows what drives this development.

Trend Paper
Easy-to-use, Flexible and Interconnected – The Versatility of Modern Inverters

January 18, 2024

It is becoming increasingly common for inverters to include functions that go far beyond their original task of converting direct current to alternating current.

Jan Figgener, RWTH Aachen
What Opportunities Do Stationary and Mobile Battery Storage Systems Offer for a Sustainable Energy Supply?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 161 | Language: German

January 4, 2024

We speak with Jan Figgener about the role of battery storage and about which developments can be expected.

You are using an outdated browser

The website cannot be viewed in this browser. Please open the website in an up-to-date browser such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.