NEWSOL aims to implement a new storage system of thermal energy for the production of electricity in CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) plants. The project is based on the combination of innovative sets of concrete, used to build two systems with an also innovative architecture:
— Concrete tank to store molten salts, which allows greater availability of thermal energy accumulation;
— Concrete module to store heat/energy for when it’s necessary to keep the plant operational (e.g., night periods).
A pilot installation is currently being built in the Solar Field of the University of Évora. Secil / CDAC plays a crucial part in the project, being responsible for laboratory development as well as optimising cement and the concrete tank and module compositions. A special reference to the lightweight concrete with high thermal performance and the CAC concrete using aluminous cement.
Regarding NEWSOL, Secil was the first Portuguese industrial company placed on the Innovation Radar of the European Commission.
