@article{KluczkaEcksteinAlexopoulosetal.2014, author = {Kluczka, Sven and Eckstein, Julian and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Vaeßen, Christiane and Roeb, Martin}, title = {Process simulation for solar steam and dry reforming}, series = {Energy procedia : Proceedings of the SolarPACES 2013 International Conference}, volume = {49}, journal = {Energy procedia : Proceedings of the SolarPACES 2013 International Conference}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1876-6102 (E-Journal)}, doi = {10.1016/j.egypro.2014.03.092}, pages = {850 -- 859}, year = {2014}, abstract = {In co-operation with the German Aerospace Center, the Solar-Institut J{\"u}lich has been analyzing the different technologies that are available for methanol production from CO2 using solar energy. The aim of the project is to extract CO2 from industrial exhaust gases or directly from the atmosphere to recycle it by use of solar energy. Part of the study was the modeling and simulating of a methane reformer for the production of synthesis gas, which can be operated by solar or hybrid heat sources. The reformer has been simplified in such a way that the model is accurate and enables fast calculations. The developed pseudo-homogeneous one- dimensional model can be regarded as a kind of counter-current heat exchanger and is able to incorporate a steam reforming reaction as well as a dry reforming reaction.}, language = {en} } @article{PuppeGiulianoFrantzetal.2018, author = {Puppe, Michael and Giuliano, Stefano and Frantz, Cathy and Uhlig, Ralf and Schumacher, Ralph and Ibraheem, Wagdi and Schmalz, Stefan and Waldmann, Barbara and Guder, Christoph and Peter, Dennis and Schwager, Christian and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Spiegel, Michael and Wortmann, J{\"u}rgen and Hinrichs, Matthias and Engelhard, Manfred and Aust, Michael}, title = {Techno-economic optimization of molten salt solar tower plants}, series = {AIP Conference Proceedings art.no. 040033}, volume = {2033}, journal = {AIP Conference Proceedings art.no. 040033}, number = {Issue 1}, publisher = {AIP Publishing}, address = {Melville, NY}, doi = {10.1063/1.5067069}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In this paper the results of a techno-economic analysis of improved and optimized molten salt solar tower plants (MSSTP plants) are presented. The potential improvements that were analyzed include different receiver designs, different designs of the HTF-system and plant control, increased molten salt temperatures (up to 640°C) and multi-tower systems. Detailed technological and economic models of the solar field, solar receiver and high temperature fluid system (HTF-system) were developed and used to find potential improvements compared to a reference plant based on Solar Two technology and up-to-date cost estimations. The annual yield model calculates the annual outputs and the LCOE of all variants. An improved external tubular receiver and improved HTF-system achieves a significant decrease of LCOE compared to the reference. This is caused by lower receiver cost as well as improvements of the HTF-system and plant operation strategy, significantly reducing the plant own consumption. A novel star receiver shows potential for further cost decrease. The cavity receiver concepts result in higher LCOE due to their high investment cost, despite achieving higher efficiencies. Increased molten salt temperatures seem possible with an adapted, closed loop HTF-system and achieve comparable results to the original improved system (with 565°C) under the given boundary conditions. In this analysis all multi tower systems show lower economic viability compared to single tower systems, caused by high additional cost for piping connections and higher cost of the receivers. REFERENCES}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BreitbachAlexopoulosMayetal.2019, author = {Breitbach, Gerd and Alexopoulos, Spiros and May, Martin and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Analysis of volumetric solar radiation absorbers made of wire meshes}, series = {AIP Conference Proceedings}, volume = {2126}, booktitle = {AIP Conference Proceedings}, issn = {0094243X}, doi = {10.1063/1.5117521}, pages = {030009-1 -- 030009-6}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{MayBreitbachAlexopoulosetal.2019, author = {May, Martin and Breitbach, Gerd and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Latzke, Markus and B{\"a}umer, Klaus and Uhlig, Ralf and S{\"o}hn, Matthias and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Experimental facility for investigations of wire mesh absorbers for pressurized gases}, series = {AIP Conference Proceedings}, volume = {2126}, booktitle = {AIP Conference Proceedings}, issn = {0094243X}, doi = {10.1063/1.5117547}, pages = {030035-1 -- 030035-9}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SattlerAlexopoulosCaminosetal.2019, author = {Sattler, Johannes, Christoph and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Caminos, Ricardo Alexander Chico and Mitchell, John C. and Ruiz, Victor C. and Kalogirou, Soteris and Ktistis, Panayiotis K. and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Dynamic simulation model of a parabolic trough collector system with concrete thermal energy storage for process steam generation}, series = {AIP Conference Proceedings}, volume = {2126}, booktitle = {AIP Conference Proceedings}, issn = {0094243X}, doi = {10.1063/1.5117663}, pages = {150007-1 -- 150007-8}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @incollection{HoffschmidtAlexopoulosGoettscheetal.2022, author = {Hoffschmidt, Bernhard and Alexopoulos, Spiros and G{\"o}ttsche, Joachim and Sauerborn, Markus and Kaufhold, O.}, title = {High Concentration Solar Collectors}, series = {Comprehensive Renewable Energy (Second Edition) / Volume 3: Solar Thermal Systems: Components and Applications}, booktitle = {Comprehensive Renewable Energy (Second Edition) / Volume 3: Solar Thermal Systems: Components and Applications}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, isbn = {978-0-12-819734-9}, doi = {10.1016/B978-0-12-819727-1.00058-3}, pages = {198 -- 245}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Solar thermal concentrated power is an emerging technology that provides clean electricity for the growing energy market. To the solar thermal concentrated power plant systems belong the parabolic trough, the Fresnel collector, the solar dish, and the central receiver system. For high-concentration solar collector systems, optical and thermal analysis is essential. There exist a number of measurement techniques and systems for the optical and thermal characterization of the efficiency of solar thermal concentrated systems. For each system, structure, components, and specific characteristics types are described. The chapter presents additionally an outline for the calculation of system performance and operation and maintenance topics. One main focus is set to the models of components and their construction details as well as different types on the market. In the later part of this article, different criteria for the choice of technology are analyzed in detail.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchwagerTeixeiraBouraFleschetal.2019, author = {Schwager, Christian and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Flesch, Robert and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Improved efficiency prediction of a molten salt receiver based on dynamic cloud passage simulation}, series = {AIP Conference Proceedings}, volume = {2126}, booktitle = {AIP Conference Proceedings}, number = {1}, isbn = {978-0-7354-1866-0}, doi = {10.1063/1.5117566}, pages = {030054-1 -- 030054-8}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @article{AlexopoulosHoffschmidt2017, author = {Alexopoulos, Spiros and Hoffschmidt, Bernhard}, title = {Advances in solar tower technology}, series = {Wiley interdisciplinary reviews : Energy and Environment : WIREs}, volume = {6}, journal = {Wiley interdisciplinary reviews : Energy and Environment : WIREs}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {2041-840X}, doi = {10.1002/wene.217}, pages = {1 -- 19}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SattlerCaminosUerlingsetal.2020, author = {Sattler, Johannes, Christoph and Caminos, Ricardo Alexander Chico and {\"U}rlings, Nicolas and Dutta, Siddharth and Ruiz, Victor and Kalogirou, Soteris and Ktistis, Panayiotis and Agathokleous, Rafaela and Jung, Christian and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Atti, Vikrama Nagababu and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Operational experience and behaviour of a parabolic trough collector system with concrete thermal energy storage for process steam generation in Cyprus}, series = {AIP Conference Proceedings}, booktitle = {AIP Conference Proceedings}, number = {2303}, doi = {10.1063/5.0029278}, pages = {140004-1 -- 140004-10}, year = {2020}, abstract = {As part of the transnational research project EDITOR, a parabolic trough collector system (PTC) with concrete thermal energy storage (C-TES) was installed and commissioned in Limassol, Cyprus. The system is located on the premises of the beverage manufacturer KEAN Soft Drinks Ltd. and its function is to supply process steam for the factory's pasteurisation process [1]. Depending on the factory's seasonally varying capacity for beverage production, the solar system delivers between 5 and 25 \% of the total steam demand. In combination with the C-TES, the solar plant can supply process steam on demand before sunrise or after sunset. Furthermore, the C-TES compensates the PTC during the day in fluctuating weather conditions. The parabolic trough collector as well as the control and oil handling unit is designed and manufactured by Protarget AG, Germany. The C-TES is designed and produced by CADE Soluciones de Ingenier{\´i}a, S.L., Spain. In the focus of this paper is the description of the operational experience with the PTC, C-TES and boiler during the commissioning and operation phase. Additionally, innovative optimisation measures are presented.}, language = {en} } @article{GoettscheAlexopoulosDuemmleretal.2019, author = {G{\"o}ttsche, Joachim and Alexopoulos, Spiros and D{\"u}mmler, Andreas and Maddineni, S. K.}, title = {Multi-Mirror Array Calculations With Optical Error}, pages = {1 -- 6}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The optical performance of a 2-axis solar concentrator was simulated with the COMSOL Multiphysics® software. The concentrator consists of a mirror array, which was created using the application builder. The mirror facets are preconfigured to form a focal point. During tracking all mirrors are moved simultaneously in a coupled mode by 2 motors in two axes, in order to keep the system in focus with the moving sun. Optical errors on each reflecting surface were implemented in combination with the solar angular cone of ± 4.65 mrad. As a result, the intercept factor of solar radiation that is available to the receiver was calculated as a function of the transversal and longitudinal angles of incidence. In addition, the intensity distribution on the receiver plane was calculated as a function of the incidence angles.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SattlerAttiAlexopoulosetal.2022, author = {Sattler, Johannes Christoph and Atti, Vikrama and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf and Dutta, Siddharth and Kioutsioukis, Ioannis}, title = {DNI forecast tool for the smart operation of a parabolic trough collector system with concrete thermal energy storage: Theory, results and outlook}, series = {SolarPACES 2022 conference proceedings}, booktitle = {SolarPACES 2022 conference proceedings}, number = {1}, publisher = {TIB Open Publishing}, address = {Hannover}, issn = {2751-9899 (online)}, doi = {10.52825/solarpaces.v1i.731}, pages = {9 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {This work presents a basic forecast tool for predicting direct normal irradiance (DNI) in hourly resolution, which the Solar-Institut J{\"u}lich (SIJ) is developing within a research project. The DNI forecast data shall be used for a parabolic trough collector (PTC) system with a concrete thermal energy storage (C-TES) located at the company KEAN Soft Drinks Ltd in Limassol, Cyprus. On a daily basis, 24-hour DNI prediction data in hourly resolution shall be automatically produced using free or very low-cost weather forecast data as input. The purpose of the DNI forecast tool is to automatically transfer the DNI forecast data on a daily basis to a main control unit (MCU). The MCU automatically makes a smart decision on the operation mode of the PTC system such as steam production mode and/or C-TES charging mode. The DNI forecast tool was evaluated using historical data of measured DNI from an on-site weather station, which was compared to the DNI forecast data. The DNI forecast tool was tested using data from 56 days between January and March 2022, which included days with a strong variation in DNI due to cloud passages. For the evaluation of the DNI forecast reliability, three categories were created and the forecast data was sorted accordingly. The result was that the DNI forecast tool has a reliability of 71.4 \% based on the tested days. The result fulfils SIJ's aim to achieve a reliability of around 70 \%, but SIJ aims to still improve the DNI forecast quality.}, language = {en} } @incollection{HoffschmidtAlexopoulosRauetal.2022, author = {Hoffschmidt, Bernhard and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Rau, Christoph and Sattler, Johannes, Christoph and Anthrakidis, Anette and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and O'Connor, B. and Chico Caminos, R.A. and Rend{\´o}n, C. and Hilger, P.}, title = {Concentrating solar power}, series = {Comprehensive Renewable Energy (Second Edition) / Volume 3: Solar Thermal Systems: Components and Applications}, booktitle = {Comprehensive Renewable Energy (Second Edition) / Volume 3: Solar Thermal Systems: Components and Applications}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, isbn = {978-0-12-819734-9}, pages = {670 -- 724}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The focus of this chapter is the production of power and the use of the heat produced from concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) systems. The chapter starts with the general theoretical principles of concentrating systems including the description of the concentration ratio, the energy and mass balance. The power conversion systems is the main part where solar-only operation and the increase in operational hours. Solar-only operation include the use of steam turbines, gas turbines, organic Rankine cycles and solar dishes. The operational hours can be increased with hybridization and with storage. Another important topic is the cogeneration where solar cooling, desalination and of heat usage is described. Many examples of commercial CSP power plants as well as research facilities from the past as well as current installed and in operation are described in detail. The chapter closes with economic and environmental aspects and with the future potential of the development of CSP around the world.}, language = {en} } @incollection{HoffschmidtAlexopoulosRauetal.2021, author = {Hoffschmidt, Bernhard and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Rau, Christoph and Sattler, Johannes, Christoph and Anthrakidis, Anette and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and O'Connor, B. and Caminos, R.A. Chico and Rend{\´o}n, C. and Hilger, P.}, title = {Concentrating Solar Power}, series = {Earth systems and environmental sciences}, booktitle = {Earth systems and environmental sciences}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, isbn = {978-0-12-409548-9}, doi = {10.1016/B978-0-12-819727-1.00089-3}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The focus of this chapter is the production of power and the use of the heat produced from concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) systems. The chapter starts with the general theoretical principles of concentrating systems including the description of the concentration ratio, the energy and mass balance. The power conversion systems is the main part where solar-only operation and the increase in operational hours. Solar-only operation include the use of steam turbines, gas turbines, organic Rankine cycles and solar dishes. The operational hours can be increased with hybridization and with storage. Another important topic is the cogeneration where solar cooling, desalination and of heat usage is described. Many examples of commercial CSP power plants as well as research facilities from the past as well as current installed and in operation are described in detail. The chapter closes with economic and environmental aspects and with the future potential of the development of CSP around the world.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SattlerChicoCaminosAttietal.2020, author = {Sattler, Johannes Christoph and Chico Caminos, Ricardo Alexander and Atti, Vikrama Nagababu and {\"U}rlings, Nicolas and Dutta, Siddharth and Ruiz, Victor and Kalogirou, Soteris and Ktistis, Panayiotis and Agathokleous, Rafaela and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Dynamic simulation tool for a performance evaluation and sensitivity study of a parabolic trough collector system with concrete thermal energy storage}, series = {AIP Conference Proceedings 2303}, booktitle = {AIP Conference Proceedings 2303}, publisher = {American Institute of Physics}, address = {Melville, NY}, issn = {0094-243X}, doi = {10.1063/5.0029277}, pages = {160004}, year = {2020}, language = {de} } @incollection{AtmaneHirechKassmietal.2020, author = {Atmane, Ilias and Hirech, Kamal and Kassmi, K. and Mahdi, Zahra and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Schwarzer, Klemens and Chayeb, H. and Bachiri, N.}, title = {Design and realization of a pilot solar desalination plant in Douar El Hamri in the province of Berkane (Morocco)}, series = {Sustainable entrepreneurship, renewable energy-based projects, and digitalization}, booktitle = {Sustainable entrepreneurship, renewable energy-based projects, and digitalization}, editor = {Omrane, Amina and Kassmi, Khalil and Akram, Muhammad Wasim and Khanna, Ashish and Mostafiz, Imtiaz}, publisher = {CRC Press}, address = {Boca Raton, Fa.}, isbn = {9781000292541 (E-Book)}, pages = {18 Seiten}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Producing fresh water from saline water has become one of the most difficult challenges to overcome especially with the high demand and shortage of fresh water. In this context, as part of a collaboration with Germany, the authors propose a design and implementation of a pilot multi-stage solar desalination system (MSD), remotely controlled, at Douar Al Hamri in the rural town of Boughriba in the province of Berkane, Morocco. More specifically, they present their contribution on the remote control and supervision system, which makes the functioning of the MSD system reliable and guarantees the production of drinking water for the population of Douar. The results obtained show that the electronic cards and computer communication software implemented allow the acquisition of all electrical (currents, voltages, powers, yields), thermal (temperatures of each stage), and meteorological (irradiance and ambient temperature), remote control and maintenance (switching on, off, data transfer). By comparing with the literature carried out in the field of solar energy, the authors conclude that the MSD and electronic desalination systems realized during this work represent a contribution in terms of the reliability and durability of providing drinking water in rural and urban areas.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{ElMoussaouiKassmiAlexopoulosetal.2021, author = {El Moussaoui, Noureddine and Kassmi, Khalil and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Schwarzer, Klemens and Chayeb, Hamid and Bachiri, Najib}, title = {Simulation studies on a new innovative design of a hybrid solar distiller MSDH alimented with a thermal and photovoltaic energy}, series = {Materialstoday: Proceedings}, volume = {45}, booktitle = {Materialstoday: Proceedings}, number = {8}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2214-7853}, doi = {10.1016/j.matpr.2021.03.115}, pages = {7653 -- 7660}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In this paper, we present the structure, the simulation the operation of a multi-stage, hybrid solar desalination system (MSDH), powered by thermal and photovoltaic (PV) (MSDH) energy. The MSDH system consists of a lower basin, eight horizontal stages, a field of four flat thermal collectors with a total area of 8.4 m2, 3 Kw PV panels and solar batteries. During the day the system is heated by thermal energy, and at night by heating resistors, powered by solar batteries. These batteries are charged by the photovoltaic panels during the day. More specifically, during the day and at night, we analyse the temperature of the stages and the production of distilled water according to the solar irradiation intensity and the electric heating power, supplied by the solar batteries. The simulations were carried out in the meteorological conditions of the winter month (February 2020), presenting intensities of irradiance and ambient temperature reaching 824 W/m2 and 23 °C respectively. The results obtained show that during the day the system is heated by the thermal collectors, the temperature of the stages and the quantity of water produced reach 80 °C and 30 Kg respectively. At night, from 6p.m. the system is heated by the electric energy stored in the batteries, the temperature of the stages and the quantity of water produced reach respectively 90 °C and 104 Kg for an electric heating power of 2 Kw. Moreover, when the electric power varies from 1 Kw to 3 Kw the quantity of water produced varies from 92 Kg to 134 Kg. The analysis of these results and their comparison with conventional solar thermal desalination systems shows a clear improvement both in the heating of the stages, by 10\%, and in the quantity of water produced by a factor of 3.}, language = {en} }