The European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) is a key initiative in boosting research and innovation in clean, efficient and cost-competitive energy technologies towards a climate-neutral energy system. Established in 2007, it became one of the main instruments of the Energy Union’s 5th pillar for Research & Innovation. The SET Plan promotes cooperation among EU countries and associated countries, companies and research institutions.
Until now, various Implementation Working Groups (IWG) for different technologies existed (e.g., PV, Wind, geothermal, nuclear, CCUs etc.), including one for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). In 2023, Solar Heat Europe started negotiations to ensure that Non-Concentrated Solar Thermal Technologies (NCST) could also be in the scope of the SET Plan. This process led to the successful addition of NCST to join the IWG of CSP/CST. After drafting some joint Terms of Reference at the end of 2023, a call for experts in the research community was made in early 2024 to join this expanded IWG. The kick-off meeting of the group took place on 4 October 2024, under the chairmanship of Cristina Trueba (Ministry of Research from Spain).
Key proposals for research regarding NCST include proposals to:
- Develop advanced solar thermal collectors, including hybrids, improving performance on criteria such as higher overall output per kWth (heat/power), lower production costs or improved environmental performance.
- Improve the integration of solar thermal systems for domestic hot water, space heating and/or cooling in residential and commercial buildings, reaching high solar fractions and reducing the LCoHC.
- Develop and optimize solar thermal systems for industrial processes requiring temperatures up to 200°C.
- Expand the use of large solar thermal systems for district heating and cooling applications in different geographical locations.
- Develop hybrid systems that combine solar thermal technologies with other RES heat technologies, such as heat pumps and biomass.
- Explore new technological avenues, including novel applications for solar thermal, new business models and enhancing digitalisation in design, construction and operation of solar thermal systems.
Experts keen to join this IWG and contribute to the drafting of the Implementation Plan for NCST are welcome to express their interest to pedro.dias@soalrheateurope.eu. Adequate coordination between this group and the ESTTP (cf SecRHC) will be ensured.