During Sustainable Places Conference 2023, the two sister projects, ASTEP and FRIENDSHIP, had a joint workshop entitled “Solar Energy in Industrial Processes: how to meet the expectations of the European Commission”.
The two projects showed their development of industrial solutions with limited installation, maintenance, and operation requirements. In addition, the speakers commented on the instruments deployed to create significant visibility to the potential of applying solar thermal energy in industrial processes.
A panel discussion followed to compare the point of views of the panelists about the main challenges and solutions for the broad implementation of SHIP systems in Europe.
Key conclusions as below:
a) SHIP is mature and reliable.
b) there are still several technical challenges, such as thermal storage and hybridization with other technologies. More research and innovations are needed.
c) More large-scale commercial projects are needed for steam generation.
d) More pilots verifying several innovations are needed.
e) there is a need for education to develop the market.
Briefly, the time to act has come!
