Recording of Thursday, May 08, 2025 | The smarter E Europe | Exhibition Program | Language: English | Duration: 23:48 .

Industry Experts Highlight Contracting Challenges in Solar Thermal Projects Despite Cost Benefits Over Fossil Fuels

Markus Balz from GlassPoint and Dr. Joachim Krüger of Solarlite discuss solar thermal projects aimed at providing cost-effective alternatives to fossil fuels by utilizing high solar radiation areas for steam supply in industrial processes. Projects like "Mira," a 300-megawatt installation, support enhanced oil recovery fields with temperatures between 200-450°C. Despite lower subsidies compared to places like Germany, these initiatives focus on process heat and district heating as key targets, with upcoming German projects around 50 megawatts each. Bärbel's market analysis highlights challenges such as financing hurdles and client education about the technology before contract signing can occur; incentives are crucial for adoption despite potential renewable benefits. The discussion underscores economic stability due to free fuel costs offered by solar energy systems which promise integration into future hybrid solutions without external dependency concerns over energy source decisions. A study in Germany reveals unexpected positive results regarding solar viability even under less sunlight exposure when integrated into hybrid systems—highlighting its economical resource potential internationally based on local conditions like CO2 pricing and radiation levels. Challenges persist around project development funding during engineering phases lacking financial support amid Europe's changing climate policies but strategic targeting within industries committed to climate protection goals accelerates adoption rates globally among sectors such as refineries aligning well temperature-wise or food/beverage producers integrating larger-scale district heating post thorough planning efforts worldwide indicating growing momentum towards widespread implementation soon enough!

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Talk of session: Rethinking Heat - Solar Utility Scale Plants for Process Heat and District Heating

With the share of renewable energies in the heating sector remaining low, the heating transition is one of the major challenges on the way towards climate neutrality. Particularly in industry, where high temperatures are needed and cost pressure is high, reconciling profitability and decarbonization is an issue. Large solar thermal installations are on the rise in heating networks.This session will be discussing the potential of solar thermal technology, successful projects and current market developments. Presenters will provide exciting insights into applications, financing models and a glimpse into the future.

Further Talks of this session:

Welcome & Introduction

Video is not available.

Status Quo and Future Perspectives of Solar Process Heat

Speaker

Bärbel Epp
Managing Director
Solrico

To Talk

Breaking New Ground: Insights from a Landmark Study on Solar Process Heat Economics

Speaker

Dr. Gregor Bern
Head of Group Concentrating Systems and Technologies
Fraunhofer ISE

To Talk

Pioneering Large-Scale Solar District Heating: Lessons from Leading Projects

Speaker

Magdalena Berberich
Executive Director
Solites - Steinbeis Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Thermal Energy Systems

To Talk

Ritter XL Solar - Solar Thermal Plants in operation / under construction

Speaker

Dominik Bestenlehrer

To Talk

The Savosolar One-stop-shop

Speaker

Thorsten Lütten

To Talk

Panel Discussion: What Role of will Solar Thermal Play in a Climate-Friendly District Heating?

To Talk

Closing Remarks

Video is not available.

Partners & Sponsors

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