Solid particles as heat transfer fluid and storage media present several advantages for concentrated solar plants (CSP), including efficiency enhancement, expected cost reduction, and improved cross-sectorial integration of renewable energy. Compared to molten salts, the predominant thermal energy storage medium in commercial CSP plants, particle-based systems offer superior thermal stability and higher temperature capabilities. These advantages are particularly relevant for Front-the-Meter (FTM) applications, where increased efficiency and advanced energy storage strategies enhance dispatchability. Additionally, for Behind-the-Meter (BTM) industrial applications, the high operating temperature enables the integration of solar energy into a broader range of processes, accelerating industrial decarbonization. Within the Powder2Power project under the HORIZON Europe framework, a performance model has been developed to assess the upscaling of a fluidized particle-driven solar receiver towards commercialization. This model evaluates both FTM and BTM cases, incorporating energy storage strategies, industrial head demand profiles, and sCO2 power block integration. Regarding FTM applications, the study analyses plant suitability for various dispatching profiles, while BTM case studies focus on high-temperature gypsum production and green steel manufacturing via direct steel reduction and hydrogen electrolysis with solid oxide electrolysers. These industries’ decarbonization strategies are limited due to the high temperature heat demand, being one of the main objectives of this analysis to unveil the potential carbon footprint reduction of hard-to-abate these relevant industrial segments. The study presents a detailed performance balance for optimized cases, considering Seville (Spain) as the reference location due to its high solar irradiance. Seasonal and design-day analyses enable extrapolation of results to alternative locations within and beyond the European Union, contributing to the advancement of scalable, dispatchable and industrially integrated CSP solutions.
Garrido et al. (2025) studied this question.