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Advances in Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (CSP): Special Issue on Heliostat Technologies

Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (CSP) technologies have been commercially employed over 20 countries in the world, with a total installation of about 7.5 GW-e. When compared with other non-flexible renewable technologies, CSP offers valuable dispatchability to the grid and general energy sector, when combined with naturally coupled thermal energy storage systems. In order to improve the commercial competitiveness of CSP, the cutting-edge research and development (RD) are needed to further improve its cost, performance and commercial readiness. In particular, heliostat-based CSP systems can offer immense potential to provide low-cost, dispatchable renewable thermal and electrical energy to help achieve 100% decarbonized energy infrastructure for a given country. Heliostats are a major determinant of both capital cost and performance of state-of-the-art commercial molten salt towers and Generation 3 CSP systems. As part of the global efforts, in 2021 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) launched the Heliostat Consortium (HelioCon), a five-year initiative to advance heliostat technologies.

The goal of the special issue is to share the state-of-the-art research in this fascinating field that will set the stage for guiding future research activities. Building on the vision and challenges to be addressed for future-generation heliostat technologies (see the Perspective article https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.111917), we aim to present a collection of papers reporting the most recent accomplishments in the field. We will give preference to works focusing on metrology, standards, components, controls, system analysis and efforts on resources, training and education for workforce expansion. The publications in this Special Issue will improve understanding of this emerging technical topic and attract more researchers for valuable contribution of the growing CSP community.

The special issue will collect original papers, reviews and prospectives to present the state-of-art research on such as the following. Publications in related areas may also be considered at the discretion of the guest editors:

• Heliostat-based CSP systems
• Metrology
• Solar field control
• Heliostat field operation and maintenance
• Systems and components manufacturing
• Optical engineering and analysis: characterization, degradation, and new materials
• Wind load of heliostat and heliostat field
• Systems and environmental impact (wind, thermal cycles, UV degradation, fatigue)
• Mirror manufacturing, coating, framing, installation, and metrology
• Heliostat and heliostat field ray tracing
• Standards and guideline for design, operation, and maintenance
• Soiling
• Techniques for heliostat performance monitoring
• Heliostat systems deployment
• Training and education
• Techno-economic analysis
• Use and application of Artificial Intelligence for heliostats and nowcasting

Learn more here, including the submission deadline!

Solar-to-X Technologies for Sustainable Energy Solutions

Solar Energy journal is pleased to announce a special issue focusing on Solar-to-X Technologies, pivotal to driving the next generation of sustainable energy solutions. We invite researchers, scientists, and engineers from academia, industry, national laboratories and policy agencies to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies that address innovative advancements, challenges, and applications of solar-to-X technologies.

About the Theme: The concept of "Solar-to-X" refers to the conversion of solar energy into various valuable products beyond traditional electricity generation. This includes the transformation of solar energy into fuels, chemicals, thermal energy, hydrogen, and other forms of energy carriers. With the increasing demand for clean and sustainable energy, solar-to-X technologies are emerging as a cornerstone in the global effort to decarbonize energy systems.

Scope of the Special Issue: This special issue aims to explore the full spectrum of solar-to-X technologies and their applications, encompassing both theoretical advancements and practical implementations. Both photon-based and thermal-based solar energy technologies are of interest. We encourage contributions in, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Solar-to-Hydrogen: Advancements in PV-powered water electrolysis and photoelectrochemical for hydrogen production.
• Concentrated Solar Thermal Energy Conversion: Innovations in the conversion of concentrated solar thermal energy to industrial heat, fuels, and chemical commodities.
• Grid Integration: Strategies for integrating solar-to-X technologies into electrical grids, including the impact on grid stability, demand response, and grid-scale storage solutions.
• Techno-Economic Analysis: Evaluation of the economic viability, scalability, and lifecycle assessment of solar-to-X technologies.
• Solar-to-Fuels: Conversion of solar energy into synthetic fuels, such as solar-to-methane, solar-to-methanol, and solar-driven CO₂ reduction pathways.
• Solar-to-Chemicals: Innovations in the solar-driven production of ammonia, ethylene, and other chemicals.
• Energy Storage and Conversion: Integrating solar-to-X technologies with energy storage systems, including batteries, thermal storage, and chemical storage.
• Policy and Market Trends: Analysis of policies, incentives, and market dynamics driving the adoption of solar-to-X solutions.

Learn more here, including the submission deadline!

Advances in Performance Monitoring, Diagnostics, and Reliability Assessment of Photovoltaic Systems

The Solar Energy Journal is pleased to announce a special issue dedicated to the “Advances in Performance Monitoring, Diagnostics, and Reliability Assessment of Photovoltaic Systems”, a topic pivotal to enabling the global energy transition and supporting high-penetration solar energy deployment worldwide. This issue aims to highlight cutting-edge research, methodological advancements, and practical applications that support the reliable, efficient, and cost-effective operation of PV systems across all scales and configurations. We invite researchers, engineers, and practitioners from academia, industry, research institutions, and policy agencies to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies. Submissions should address innovations, challenges, and emerging solutions related to performance monitoring, diagnostics, fault detection, maintenance strategies, and performance optimization of PV systems.

Special issue information:

With extremely low generations costs (LCOE) and carbon footprint, solar PV electricity will be a key pillar of any future electricity generation mix. As a consequence, the global expansion of PV technology across diverse climates, technologies, and system scales demands robust and intelligent performance monitoring strategies to ensure long-term efficiency, reliability, and financial viability. It is therefore essential that PV systems consistently deliver optimal performance throughout their operational lifetime. This special issue aims to explore the latest research, methodologies, and tools used to monitor and evaluate the performance of PV installations, ranging from rooftop and utility-scale systems to building-integrated, building-attached, and other emerging configurations. Contributions will focus on identifying and addressing performance losses, with particular attention to root causes such as soiling, degradation, electrical faults, material defects, and physical damage. Emphasis will be placed on advanced diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and optimization strategies that enhance system reliability, enable robust benchmarking, and support cost-effective operation over the system’s operational lifetime.

Scope of the Special Issue

This special issue welcomes a wide range of contributions that advance the understanding, design, and application of PV performance monitoring and assessment techniques. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performance Evaluation and Energy Yield Assessment
• Performance Modelling and Forecasting
• Monitoring Systems and Inspection Techniques
• Fault Detection and Diagnosis
• Preventive Maintenance and Reliability Optimization
• Soiling
• System Design for Enhanced Reliability

Learn more here, including the submission deadline!