Focus on concentrated solar power: E.ON promotes research into ...

Focus on concentrated solar power: E.ON promotes research into heat storage systems Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009

The new call for applications under E.ON’s international research initiative focuses on a highly topical energy trend: "Heat storage for concentrated solar power". This topic is the third key subject area on which E.ON is inviting universities and institutes worldwide to submit proposals for innovative research projects. Concentrated solar power (CSP) bundles the sun’s rays so that electricity can be produced by steam generators in solar-thermal power stations, as is envisaged for the DESERTEC project. In combination with suitable heat storage devices it is possible to produce carbon-free electricity 24 hours a day at favourable prices, thus reducing the consumption of fossil fuels. E.ON is convinced that the future will ultimately belong to solar technology. This call for applications is therefore intended to support research projects which focus on innovative heat storage devices for CSP systems that will later be used commercially in power stations.

Under E.ON’s research initiative, up to ten projects are chosen and funded with a total budget of approximately €6 million. Applications have to be submitted by the beginning of 2010. The best projects will receive the E.ON Research Award in autumn 2010.

From 2007, the company has made a total of €60 million available for research projects with differing priorities. E.ON is taking the initiative in the field of energy research in order to contribute towards solving key problems of energy supply. The funding does not require research to be carried out solely for E.ON. The research findings remain the researchers’ property and are published and made available to the public. While "Energy storage" was the focal point in 2007, E.ON’s research initiative in 2008 focused on the "Application of nanotechnology in the energy business".

 

 

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by E.ON Group management and other information currently available to E.ON. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. E.ON AG does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Further information on the E.ON Research Initiative