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Royal Tech Delivers First Advanced Absorber Tubes for DLR’s Évora Trough CSP Demo After Winning SolarPACES Award

Royal Tech Delivers First Advanced Absorber Tubes for DLR’s Évora Trough CSP Demo After Winning SolarPACES Award

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Royal Tech Delivers First Advanced Absorber Tubes for DLR’s Évora Trough CSP Demo After Winning SolarPACES Award

Royal Tech Delivers First Advanced Absorber Tubes for DLR’s Évora Trough CSP Demo After Winning SolarPACES Award

In a significant milestone for the advancement of solar thermal energy, Royal Tech has successfully delivered its next-generation high-temperature vacuum molten salt absorber tubes to the Évora Advanced Trough Molten Salt Demonstration Project in Portugal. This delivery marks a pivotal step in the evolution of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology, particularly in the realm of third-generation parabolic trough systems. The project, led by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), is Europe’s most advanced demonstration of direct molten salt circulation in large-aperture trough collectors. Royal Tech’s innovation, which recently earned the prestigious SolarPACES Technology Award, is poised to redefine the efficiency and viability of solar thermal energy on a global scale.

Background: The Evolution of CSP Technology

Historical Context

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) has been a cornerstone of renewable energy development since the 1980s. Early CSP systems primarily used synthetic oil as a heat transfer fluid (HTF) in parabolic trough collectors. While effective, these systems were limited by the thermal stability of the oil, which capped operating temperatures at around 400°C. This limitation constrained the overall efficiency of CSP plants and their ability to integrate with high-efficiency power cycles.

In response, researchers and engineers began exploring alternative HTFs, with molten salt emerging as a promising candidate. Molten salt can operate at temperatures exceeding 550°C, enabling higher thermal efficiencies and better integration with supercritical steam cycles. However, the transition to molten salt required significant innovation in materials and system design—particularly in the development of absorber tubes capable of withstanding high temperatures and corrosive environments.

Third-Generation Trough Technology

The Évora project represents the culmination of decades of research into third-generation CSP systems. These systems are characterized by:

  • Large-aperture parabolic trough collectors for increased solar capture
  • Direct circulation of molten salt as the HTF
  • High-temperature operation (up to 550°C or more)
  • Improved thermal storage integration

By adopting these features, third-generation CSP plants aim to achieve higher efficiency, lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), and greater dispatchability—making them more competitive with other forms of renewable and conventional energy.

Royal Tech’s Breakthrough: Advanced Absorber Tubes

Technical Specifications

Royal Tech’s newly developed absorber tubes are specifically engineered for high-temperature molten salt applications. Key features include:

  • Vacuum insulation to minimize thermal losses
  • Advanced selective coatings for high solar absorptance and low thermal emittance
  • Corrosion-resistant materials compatible with molten salt
  • Structural integrity at temperatures exceeding 550°C

These tubes are a critical component of the Évora project’s solar field, enabling efficient heat transfer and long-term durability under extreme operating conditions.

Innovation Recognized: SolarPACES Technology Award

In recognition of this technological leap, Royal Tech was awarded the 2023 SolarPACES Technology Innovation Award. This prestigious accolade is given annually to organizations that demonstrate outstanding contributions to the advancement of CSP technology. The award highlights Royal Tech’s role in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in solar thermal engineering.

The Évora Advanced Trough Molten Salt Demonstration Project

Project Overview

Located in Évora, Portugal, the demonstration project is a collaborative effort led by DLR, with support from European research institutions and industry partners. The project aims to validate the performance and reliability of third-generation trough technology under real-world conditions.

Key objectives include:

  1. Demonstrating direct molten salt circulation in a parabolic trough system
  2. Evaluating the thermal performance of advanced absorber tubes
  3. Assessing long-term material stability and corrosion resistance
  4. Optimizing system integration with thermal storage and power generation units

Strategic Importance

The Évora project is strategically significant for several reasons:

  • It serves as a testbed for scaling up third-generation CSP technology
  • It provides critical data for future commercial deployments
  • It strengthens Europe’s leadership in renewable energy innovation

By successfully demonstrating the viability of direct molten salt trough systems, the project could pave the way for a new generation of high-efficiency CSP plants across Europe and beyond.

Case Study: Performance Metrics and Early Results

Initial Testing and Validation

Preliminary testing of Royal Tech’s absorber tubes at the Évora site has shown promising results. According to DLR engineers, the tubes have demonstrated excellent thermal performance, with minimal heat loss and stable operation at target temperatures. The vacuum insulation has proven effective in maintaining thermal efficiency, while the selective coatings have retained their optical properties under prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

Comparative Analysis

Compared to traditional oil-based systems, the molten salt configuration at Évora offers several advantages:

  • Up to 20% higher thermal efficiency
  • Improved compatibility with high-efficiency power cycles
  • Reduced operational costs due to lower heat loss and maintenance
  • Enhanced energy storage capabilities, enabling 24/7 power generation

These performance gains are critical for making CSP a more competitive option in the global energy market.

Global Implications and Future Outlook

Scaling Up CSP Deployment

The success of the Évora project could have far-reaching implications for the global energy landscape. As countries seek to decarbonize their power sectors, CSP offers a unique value proposition: dispatchable, renewable electricity with integrated thermal storage. This makes it particularly well-suited for regions with high solar irradiance and growing energy demands, such as the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia and Latin America.

Governments and investors are increasingly recognizing the potential of CSP. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) projects that global CSP capacity could reach 63 GW by 2050, up from just over 6 GW today. Achieving this target will require continued innovation, supportive policy frameworks, and strategic investments in demonstration projects like Évora.

Royal Tech’s Role in the Future of CSP

With its award-winning absorber tube technology

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