Solid particles can be used over an extremely wide temperature range, from ambient to more than
1,000°C. This opens up a variety of new application options.

Using solid particles as heat transfer and storage material in solar thermal systems

• promises significant cost reductions and
• allows to adapt the system's exact design and size to various processes.

The two main potential fields of application are the production of dispatchable solar electricity and high temperature process heat for industrial production processes.

Solar power generation in combination with a steam power cycle The high temperature capability allows the integration with modern high efficiency steam cycles, which operate at temperatures up to 620°C. Full article

Scrap Preheating The annual worldwide production of iron and steel in foundries adds up to approximately 100 megatons. With an energy consumption of around one megawatt hour per ton of iron or steel produced, the total worldwide energy need is about 100 terrawatts per year. Some of these foundries are located in regions with high solar radiation and are therefore very well positioned to applicate a cost-effective solar particle system. Full article

Pre-Reduction of Manganese Ores PREMA is a H2020 project aimed at demonstrating an innovative suite of technologies, involving utilization of industrial off-gases and solar thermal energy to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions from manganese production as a means to obtain sustainable production of Mn-alloys and steel. Full article