In the Sun-to-Liquid project, researchers are developing a technology to produce synthetic fuels with concentrated solar radiation. Now the project has received the 22nd Energy Globe World Award.
The Sun-to-Liquid project, funded by the EU and Switzerland, is developing a technology for producing renewable fuels from water and CO2 with the help of solar energy. The first synthesis of solar kerosene with a solar reactor driven by concentrated sunlight in a solar tower configuration has been successful. The Sun-to-Liquid project has now received a 22nd Energy Globe World Award in the “Fire” category. The Energy Globe World Award is one of the most recognized environmental awards in the world today. It has been awarded by the independent Energy Globe Foundation in Austria since 1999. It honors successful sustainable projects from five continents and shows that there are feasible solutions for many of our environmental problems. This year’s edition had 182 participating countries and more than 2000 projects submitted from around the world.
“The sun-to-liquid reactor technology and the integrated chemical system were validated under the typical conditions for industrial fuel production,” says Aldo Steinfeld, professor from ETH Zurich who leads the development of the solar thermochemical reactor. “The demonstration of this technology could have a major impact on the transport sector, especially on long-haul air traffic and shipping, which continue to rely on liquid fuels,” adds project coordinator Andreas Sizmann from Bauhaus Luftfahrt. “We are one step closer to the goal of living on a renewable ‘energy income’ instead of burning our fossil ‘energy legacy’. This is a necessary step to protect our environment. “
Sun-to-liquid pilot plant in Spain
In order to test the sun-to-liquid technology under real conditions on a solar tower, the researchers built a solar system inside. This was created on the site of the Imdea Energy Institute in Móstoles, Spain. “A field of heliostats tracking the sun concentrates the sunlight by a factor of 2500. That corresponds to three times the concentration compared to solar tower systems that are currently used to generate electricity,” says Manuel Romero from Imdea Energy. The very high solar radiation intensity makes it possible to reach temperatures of over 1,500 ° C in the solar reactor positioned at the top of the tower. The solar reactor developed by the project partner ETH Zurich produces from water and CO2 synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, via a thermochemical redox cycle. A Fischer-Tropsch system developed by the project partner HyGear processed this gas into kerosene on site.
Unlimited supply of sustainable fuels
Compared to fossil fuel, Sun-to-Liquid can reduce the net CO2-Reduce emissions to the atmosphere by more than 90%. The solar-powered process uses abundant raw materials. It does not compete with food production and can meet future fuel needs on a global basis. It is compatible with the existing global infrastructure for the distribution, storage and use of fuel.
More information about the Sun-to-Liquid can be found at this link.
24.11.2021 | Those: Arttic | solarserver.de © Solarthemen Media GmbH
–
