CompoSol

Project description - Research project

The partners in this project have identified a significant market opportunity for fibre reinforced CSP (concentrated solar power) components that can directly substitute existing metallic components and structures. We envisage that fibre reinforced composites will provide significant benefits when applied to conventional collector designs, but their potential advantages are even greater for new advanced collector concepts. The CompoSol consortium propose to build on recent advancements in composite design/manufacture and PVD coating technology to develop novel carbon fibre based composite components that can substitute existing components and structures.

The Seventh Framework Programme

Sponsored by the Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development of the European Commission

Project partners

• Coordinator: EPM Technology Ltd. ( Webseite öffnen )
• Solarlite CSP Technology GmbH ( Webseite öffnen )
• Amber Composites Ltd. ( Webseite öffnen )
• Surcotec S.A. ( Webseite öffnen )
• The Welding Institut ( Webseite öffnen )
• Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt ( Webseite öffnen )
• Centre for plasma technologies - Plasma Ltd. ( Webseite öffnen )
• TWI Ltd. ( Webseite öffnen )

Project aim

Develop a low cost, lightweight carbon fibre based composite structure suitable to replace currently used metallic support structures for CSP collectors.

Develop a stiff, lightweight composite structure that can be coated with a high specular reflectance coating. The composite must have a very good surface finish.

Develop a PVD (physical vapour deposition) coating that provides specular reflectance of >94%, is corrosion resistant and UV stable. The coating must be applied directly onto the composite, and have a durability of >15 years under typical operating conditions.

Design a manufacturing process suitable for medium to high volume production of composite PVD coated CSP component parts up to 8m in diameter.

Project results

• Design of fibre reinforced components for parabolic trough collector
• Manufacturing process for production of fibre reinforced components
• Development of a novel highly reflective and protective coating for CSP reflectors
• Coating process for application of highly reflective and protective coatings
• Validated Concentrator Elements for CSP plants
• Bonding layer between prepreg and aluminium layer