Content/Scope: Increasing the temperature range of collectors up to 250°C would open the way for industrial use of solar thermal energy, encompassing power generation, heating and cooling. The projects will develop innovative concepts and technologies to extend the working temperature range of solar collectors up to 250°C, to keep collector efficiency above 50%, to reduce heat losses and optimise energy output of collectors for industrial use. Projects will also have to consider the manufacturing issues (cost, equipment) associated with these novel collectors.

Funding Scheme: Collaborative project

Implementation/management: The active participation of key industrial partners and technology suppliers is essential to form a multisectorial, multidisciplinary consortium able to promote the innovative results of the projects and to achieve the full impact of the project at European level. This will be considered during the evaluation. The active participation of relevant partners from Mediterranean Partner Countries could lead to an increased impact of the RD&D activities to be undertaken. This will be considered during the evaluation under the 'Impact' criterion.

Expected Impact: Expanding the temperature range in which solar collectors can be efficiently used will result in novel devices for power generation, heating and cooling. The technology is generic and hence a large economic impact and significant contributions to decarbonising our economy by replacing fossil fuels with an increased use of solar power are expected. Proposals will have to include a clear plan for the exploitation of the scientific and technical results. This will be considered during the evaluation under the 'Impact' criterion.