November 15, 2019

As California and the world seek to reduce their carbon intensity, what would it take for solar thermal technologies to deliver a cost-effective low-carbon supplemental source of energy for industrial processes? UC Davis and UC Merced hosted a 1-day symposium that brought together representatives from R&D agencies, research institutions, and industry to identify promising solutions that could generate significant commercial impact. A summary of the symposium and key takeaways can be found here.

9:00am: Introductory Session

Welcome/Setting the stage

California goals and challenges to meet them – Virginia Lew (CEC) View Presentation

Industrial processes needing high temperatures: An Overview – Vinod Narayanan (UC Davis) View Presentation

Types of solar collectors and temperatures they can reach: An Overview – Roland Winston (UC Merced) View Presentation

Opportunities for solar thermal to provide heat for industrial applications –Avi Shultz (DOE) View Presentation

Discussion

11:00am: Opportunities for using Solar Thermal in Industrial Applications to Produce Medium and Higher Pressure Steam Generation

Requirements for replacing natural gas for food processing – Thomas Maulhardt (Campbell Soup) View Presentation

Lessons learned from solar thermal in upstream oil-gas facility – Stanleigh Cross (Chevron)

An 850 MW solar thermal project: when solar thermal can replace natural gas – John O’Donnell (Glasspoint) View Presentation

New Ideas for the Design and Construction of Collectors for Industrial Solar Boilers – Nicolas Peralta (Sunvapor)

Discussion

12:30pm: Lunch and Poster Session

Continuity of Thermal Processing Power through Energy Storage Materials

2:30pm: Opportunities for using Solar Thermal in Industrial Applications to Provide Heat for Driving Chemical Processes

Applications for solar thermal for industrial processes – Parthiv Kurup (NREL) View Presentation

Pathways to hydrogen production using solar heat – Anthony McDaniel (SNL) View Presentation

Lessons learned commercializing an emerging solar thermal technology – John King (Hyperlight Energy Solar)

Discussion

4:20pm: Panel discussion: Bringing it all together

Moderator: Mary Werner (NREL)

Panelists:

Brian Borak (ARPA E)

Trevor Demayo (Chevron)

Lun Jiang (UC Merced)

• What are the best strategies for meeting the needs of industrial processes? What would it take for solar thermal to satisfy these needs? What’s needed to bring down cost?

• When will solar thermal have an advantage over other energy sources?

• Where are the technical opportunities?

• What policies would be needed to help start this market? Why aren’t people taking advantage of the current opportunities?