Concentrating solar energy may be used to make high value liquid fuels and electricity from low cost feedstock, such as biomass or brown coal.

This project aims to make the liquid fuels at lower temperatures compatible with conventional solar thermal storage, whilst maintaining high efficiency, to allow for 24/7 operation of an industrial fuels plant. Lower temperatures also enable reduced material and concentrator costs and improved economic efficiency.

To achieve this, CSIRO will develop new low temperature catalysts and membrane reactors that can convert the feedstock to the Syngas needed to produce liquid fuels. CSIRO aims to develop a reactor concept that provides the same high level of chemical conversion efficiency at
550°C that is achieved in industry at 850°C in a conventional reaction.

Solar syngas is regarded by leading international researchers as an ideal starting point for solar fuels to later transition to more advanced cycles with higher solar content. The project also includes the assembly of a panel of national and international experts to formulate a Solar Fuels Roadmap for Australia. If the research is successful, a pre-commercial demonstration plant will be pursued.

CSIRO: Solar hybrid fuels (PDF 290KB)