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Reference Number	EP/K022156/1
Title	Scalable Solar Thermoelectrics and Photovaltaics. (SUNTRAP)
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES(Solar Energy, Photovoltaics) 40%; RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES(Solar Energy, Solar thermal power and high-temp. applications) 40%; OTHER POWER and STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES(Energy storage) 20%;
Research Types	Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields	PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics) 30%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 40%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 30%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Professor AR Knox No email address given Aerospace Engineering University of Glasgow
Award Type	Standard
Funding Source	EPSRC
Start Date	01 November 2013
End Date	31 October 2017
Duration	48 months
Total Grant Value	£2,455,231
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	Scotland
Programme	Energy : Energy
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Professor AR Knox , Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow (99.992%)
	Other Investigator	Dr T (Tapas Kumar ) Mallick , School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University (0.001%) Professor D Gregory , Chemistry, University of Glasgow (0.001%) Prof R (Bob ) Freer , Materials, University of Manchester (0.001%) Dr M Gao , Engineering, Cardiff University (0.001%) Professor DJ Paul , Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow (0.001%) Dr MC Paul , Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow (0.001%) Dr MWS Macauley , Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow (0.001%) Dr S Arjunan , Business School, University of Glasgow (0.001%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , National Physical Laboratory (NPL) (0.000%) Project Contact , European Thermodynamics Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Sunamp Limited (0.000%) Project Contact , Compound Semiconductor Tech Global Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Flexsar Ltd (0.000%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract	This research project aims to tackle the barriers inhibiting the rapid introduction of large amounts of low-cost electrical and thermal solar energy generation by driving down the cost per kWh. To do this we will:* Develop enhanced optical concentrator systems which exhibit improved luminance uniformity over the photovoltaic cell;* Extend the lifetime of the PV cells to beyond 50 years by the use of active thermoelectric cooling;* Increase the energy conversion efficiency by linearising the PV cell electrical generation, controlling cell temperature and by implementing enhanced Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithms;* Integrate a thermal storage system with the PV / TE receiver.* Capture large amounts of thermal energy from the solar-> electrical conversion process and use this to enhance the efficiency of co-generation plant or displace fossil fuel combustion. The technology resulting from this 4 year research programme will be commercialised throughout the project life by a number of industrial partners and be equally suited to domestic use or to utility-scale power plants connected to the grid. Such installations will make a significant contribution to the UK meeting its 2020 CO2 reduction targets and help ameliorate the growing problems of energy insecurity and energy poverty
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	22/11/13