SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS AND SYSTEMS

Research in this field aims at the improvement of the quality and performance of the installations relevant to the exploitation of solar thermal energy. More specifically, the activities of the Laboratory concern:

• The development of new or the improvement of existing design concepts, the integration of innovative technological solutions or the exploitation of new materials.
• The development of reliable simulation methodologies of the installations, which can be used as tools for the improvement of their performance, as well as for the objective evaluation of the expected energy output.



• The implementation of pilot-demonstration actions, together with the parallel evaluation in practice of the involved technologies, aiming at the further improvement of their performance

Future objectives in this field concentrate on:

• "4 th generation" solar thermal collectors, with nanofluids as working media.
• The exploitation of evacuated tubes of Dewar type, in combination to the use of heat pipes.
• Concentrating collectors for power production, as well as other high temperature applications.



• The development of new models and integrated design tools for large scale solar installations.
• The hybrid character of the installations, aiming at the maximization of energy profit.