Scalable Solar Thermoelectrics and Photovaltaics. (SUNTRAP)

Completed

Renewable Energy Sources(Solar Energy, Photovoltaics)
Renewable Energy Sources(Solar Energy, Solar thermal power and high-temp. applications)
Other Power and Storage Technologies(Energy storage)

Basic and strategic applied research

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Professor AR Knox
Aerospace Engineering
University of Glasgow

Standard

EPSRC

01 November 2013

31 October 2017

48 months

£2,455,231

Energy

Scotland

Energy : Energy

Professor AR Knox, Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow

Dr S Arjunan, Business School, University of Glasgow
Prof R Freer, Materials, University of Manchester
Dr M Gao, Engineering, Cardiff University
Professor D Gregory, Chemistry, University of Glasgow
Dr T Mallick, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University
Professor DJ Paul, Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow
Dr MC Paul, Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow

Project Contact, National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Project Contact, European Thermodynamics Ltd
Project Contact, Compound Semiconductor Tech Global Ltd
Project Contact, Sunamp Limited
Project Contact, Flexsar Ltd

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

22/11/13