The SolarPACES 2022 International Conference, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from September 27 to September 30, brought together over 400 participants from 29 countries to discuss significant advancements in concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies. This event marked a return to in-person gatherings after two years of virtual meetings, reflecting a renewed enthusiasm within the community for commercial deployment and research in solar energy.
Avi Shultz, the Chairman of the conference and a representative from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), emphasized the importance of this gathering in showcasing the latest developments in CSP and related technologies. The conference featured 211 oral presentations and 111 posters across 15 technical tracks, highlighting innovations in thermal energy storage, industrial decarbonization, and next-generation CSP systems.
One of the key areas of focus at the conference was the role of thermal energy storage in facilitating cost-effective long-duration energy storage solutions. As Shultz noted, “There was much focus on emerging commercial markets, including the value of thermal energy storage for cost-effective long duration energy storage.” This technology is particularly relevant for the energy sector as it allows for the storage of energy generated from solar power, making it available for use when demand peaks or when solar generation is low.
The conference also highlighted the U.S. government’s strategic objectives, particularly the advancements at the Generation 3 CSP test facility at Sandia National Laboratories. This facility aims to demonstrate a fully integrated thermal transport and storage system capable of delivering heat above 700° Celsius. The potential applications of this technology are vast, particularly in industrial processes where high-temperature heat is essential.
Furthermore, the DOE’s recent Energy Earthshot Initiatives were a focal point of discussion. These initiatives aim to accelerate the development of clean energy solutions by targeting significant cost reductions in key areas. For instance, the Long Duration Storage Shot aims to lower the cost of grid-scale energy storage by 90%, while the Industrial Heat Shot seeks to decarbonize industrial heating technologies with a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 85% by 2035. Shultz pointed out that “CSP technologies have promising potential to contribute to all of these important goals,” indicating a clear pathway for the energy sector to leverage CSP in achieving sustainability targets.
The conference served not only as a platform for sharing knowledge but also as an opportunity for networking and collaboration among industry professionals. By showcasing the latest research and commercial opportunities in CSP, the event underscored the growing importance of solar energy in the global energy landscape.
The insights and findings presented at the SolarPACES 2022 conference will be documented in the “SolarPACES Conference Proceedings,” ensuring that the knowledge shared continues to benefit the energy sector moving forward.
