Details of Grant

EPSRC Reference:

EP/K022156/1

Title:

Scalable Solar Thermoelectrics and Photovaltaics. (SUNTRAP)

Principal Investigator:

Other Investigators:

Paul, Professor MC	Macauley, Dr MWS	Paul, Professor DJ
Gao, Professor M	Arjunan, Dr S	Mallick, Professor TK
Freer, Professor R	Gregory, Professor DH

Researcher Co-Investigators:

Project Partners:

Compound Semiconductor Tech Global Ltd	European Thermodynamics Ltd	Flexsar Ltd
National Physical Laboratory NPL	Sunamp Limited

Department:

School of Engineering

Organisation:

University of Glasgow

Scheme:

Standard Research

Starts:

01 November 2013

Ends:

31 October 2017

Value (£):

2,455,231

EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:

Solar Technology

EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:

Energy

Related Grants:

Panel History:

Panel Date	Panel Name	Outcome
23 Jan 2013	SUPERGEN Solar Energy Challenges	Announced

Summary on Grant Application Form

This research project aims to tackle the barriers inhibiting the rapid introduction of large amounts of low-cost electrical and thermal solar energy generation by driving down the cost per kWh. To do this we will:

* Develop enhanced optical concentrator systems which exhibit improved luminance uniformity over the photovoltaic cell;

* Extend the lifetime of the PV cells to beyond 50 years by the use of active thermoelectric cooling;

* Increase the energy conversion efficiency by linearising the PV cell electrical generation, controlling cell temperature and by implementing enhanced Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithms;

* Integrate a thermal storage system with the PV / TE receiver.

* Capture large amounts of thermal energy from the solar-> electrical conversion process and use this to enhance the efficiency of co-generation plant or displace fossil fuel combustion.

The technology resulting from this 4 year research programme will be commercialised throughout the project life by a number of industrial partners and be equally suited to domestic use or to utility-scale power plants connected to the grid. Such installations will make a significant contribution to the UK meeting its 2020 CO2 reduction targets and help ameliorate the growing problems of energy insecurity and energy poverty.

Key Findings

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Potential use in non-academic contexts

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Impacts

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Summary
Date Materialised

Sectors submitted by the Researcher

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Project URL:

Further Information:

Organisation Website:

http://www.gla.ac.uk