Throughout the course of the ASTEP project, three key innovation lines were developed, each contributing to the advancement of solar heat for industrial processes (SHIP).
- The first innovation, SunDial, introduced a novel rotary solar Fresnel collector designed for industrial applications, offering two possible configurations, longitudinal and transversal, to adapt to varying site requirements.
- The second innovation line focused on Thermal Energy Storage (TES), where a new geometric design of inserts was developed alongside an innovative manufacturing method for the macro-encapsulation of Phase Change Materials (PCMs), significantly enhancing heat transfer and storage efficiency.
- Finally, the third innovation integrated the SunDial and TES into a cohesive ASTEP System, introducing a new system architecture capable of addressing dual heat demands. This was supported by an optimized strategy for operation and energy dispatch, offering a scalable and efficient solution for decarbonising industrial heat across Europe.
