Open Call for Evidence: Concentrating Solar Power

EASAC has recently commenced a study on concentrating solar power (CSP). Its aims are to provide an independent view for policy makers of the prospects for concentrating solar power in Europe and the developments that will be needed if its potential contribution to meeting the EU’s energy policy goals, and the needs of the Middle East and North Africa (the MENA region),  are to be realised.

The study will:

1. Review the current status of CSP technologies and identify the technological developments and R&D needed to achieve reliable operation and cost competitiveness with fossil fuelled electricity generation.
2. Consider how issues associated with the intermittent nature of CSP for electricity generation due to the daily pattern of insolation and the potential for cloudy days can best be addressed.
3. Identify the environmental impacts and infrastructure requirements of CSP, and comment on the significance of these in relation to other options for electricity supply.
4. Develop a view of the potential contribution that CSP located in Europe and the MENA region could make to the energy mix of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa by 2020 and 2050.

The results of the study will be published at the end of 2011.

Evidence and inputs are invited from interested individuals and organisations on any of the issues to be considered by the working group carrying out the study as listed above. We are particularly interested in information and views relating to the following questions:

• What key developments are in progress and what might we expect from them in reducing cost and improving efficiency of CSP over the next 10-20 years?
• What are the key barriers to deployment of CSP in Europe and the MENA region, and how may they be overcome?
• What are the environmental impacts of CSP and how can they be minimised?

Please send your contribution to Dr John Holmes, the Secretary of the working group, at: <link mail window for sending>john.holmes@easac.eu