The ASTEP consortium assembled for its Month 60 General Assembly Meeting on 29-30 April 2025 in Loutraki, Greece, hosted in the context of the project’s final implementation phase. Partners gathered to assess progress, address remaining technical challenges, and align on final steps ahead of the concluding review with the European Commission.
The two-day meeting featured the 27th Scientific and Technical Committee (STC), where partners discussed the shipping and final installation of the SunDial systems to the two demonstration sites—Mandrekas Dairy in Corinth, Greece, and ArcelorMittal Tubular Products in Romania. Updates were also presented on technical deviations, social acceptance results, and the impact of ASTEP’s innovative solar thermal solution on industrial decarbonisation.
Partners engaged in two internal workshops:
The 3rd Internal Exploitation Workshop, focusing on identifying business opportunities and long-term value creation.
The 2nd Internal ASTEP Dashboard Workshop, addressing the integration and utilisation of monitoring data for the ASTEP dashboard.
Additionally, the 9th Project Steering Committee meeting provided a management update and finalised the strategy for the upcoming final project review, ensuring that all aspects of the project are aligned and well-documented.
A key highlight of the assembly was the visit to the Mandrekas dairy industry, one of the project’s two case studies. The site visit enabled partners to witness the ASTEP system in a real industrial setting and evaluate its impact on operational efficiency and sustainability.
As ASTEP nears completion, the consortium remains committed to showcasing how solar thermal technology can be deployed effectively in industrial environments across Europe.
For more information on ASTEP, visit: https://astepproject.eu
