High Concentration Solar Furnace | Research Capability & Technology Portfolio

High concentration solar furnaces involve efficient interconversion of energy from sunlight to produce electricity, heat and fuel. Each form of energy has storage challenges; e.g. spectrum-splitting photovoltaics produce electrical power, hybrid PV–thermal systems produce electricity and heat, while ultra-high solar concentration furnaces can be used to manufacture solar fuels.

Competitive advantage

Development of novel optical systems applied to industrial-scale solar concentrators opens up new possibilities for high temperature solar furnaces. Integration of fluid lens optics and optic fibre provides a versatile platform for deployment of new high temperature reactors, as well as retro-fitting to existing systems.

Impact

Enabling a range of high-temperature thermochemical cycles that may be used for the production of renewable solar fuels
Extraction of metals from their ores using solar energy could position Australia as an exporter of clean and high value raw materials

Successful outcomes

High efficiency photovoltaic devices
High concentration solar cell architectures
Development of new modelling tools for solar concentrators
Design integration with concentrating solar power technology for deployment at scale

Capabilities and facilities

3D freeform optical surface growth for optimal non-symmetric optical concentrators
Heliostat field integration and solar receiver optimisation
Spectrum-splitting optics and high-efficiency photovoltaics
Concentrating solar receiver design
Thermodynamics of the interconversion of heat, electricity and light
Characterisation of optical materials

Our partners

Heliosystems Pty Limited
Peritar Pty Limited
Raygen Resources Pty Limited