Masdar begins 'beam down' solar research

Research will take place in Masdar City.

Masdar, Japan’s Cosmo Oil Company and the Tokyo Institute of Technology have launched an advanced concentrated solar power (CSP) Central Tower research and development project at Masdar City.

The project will test ‘beam down’ technology which has the potential to convert solar irradiation into electricity in a moer efficient way than other technologies.

“Solar thermal technology is a key research area for Masdar, and we are committed to working together with our partners to advance these technologies even further. Our strategic partnership with Cosmo Oil and the Tokyo Institute of Technology enables us to explore innovative procedures or the improvement and efficiency of solar thermal energy production,” Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Chief Executive of Masdar said.

“The initial project findings have been very positive and if the results continue to be successful, ‘beam down’ technology has the potential to revolutionise the way in which all solar towers are built in the future,” he added.

The beam down process inverts conventional solar tower technologies, which uses mirros to direct the sun’s rays onto a receiver at the top of a central tower, to heat a heat transfer fluid. The research team believes it can reduce energy losses resulting from pumping the fluid to an elevated receiver, which would raise operational efficiency and lower electricity generation costs.

“We are proud to be working with Masdar and the Tokyo Institute of Technology on such a progressive project. The realities of global climate change has highlighted the importance for financially viable alternative sources of energy and the development of ‘beam down’ technology has the potential to be revolutionise the CSP sector,” said Hiroyuki WADA general manager, Future Energy Division, International Ventures Dept. Cosmo Oil Co.
 

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FEATURED COMMENT successful approach.Wish MASDAR all the success.Research results of BEAM Down and other Solar Technologies will be usef   1 Comments Read more comments »