Focused research across five innovation areas

Our R&D programmes target the key challenges in thermal energy systems: from materials and components to full system integration. Each area is developed in close collaboration with industry, universities, and research institutes, and supported by ongoing international and EU-funded projects.

We focus our research where it matters most: improving performance, reducing cost, and enabling deployment of thermal energy systems at scale. 

These five innovation areas form the foundation for both our R&D activities and our engineering solutions.

1. Advanced solar components & materials

We develop next-generation components for concentrated solar applications, designed to operate under extreme temperatures and high flux conditions.

Our work includes new optical concepts, high-concentration Fresnel spherical modules, open volumetric air receivers, and advanced absorber structures operating above 800°C - pushing beyond the limits of conventional designs.

Projects:

• High-concentration Fresnel spherical modules (MOSAIC). (ASTERIx-CAESar) 
• Open volumetric air receivers, OVAR (SUNFLOWER).
• High-efficiency absorber structures (SUNFLOWER).
• Next-generation CSP receivers and materials for >800ºC. (HELIOTROPE / SUNFLOWER).
   

2. Thermal & Long-Duration Energy Storage

We develop storage solutions capable of delivering heat reliably over hours, days, or seasons, across multiple technologies and temperature ranges.

Projects: 

• Thermochemical Energy Storage, TCES) (RESTORE) 
• High-temperature molten salt storage (HELIOTROPE). 
• Compressed air energy storage (ASTERIx-CAESar) 
• Underground seasonal heat storage (Next CO₂ Vision / Gate2GreenFuel) 
• High-temperature ceramics and coatings (HELIOTROPE).
   

3. High-efficiency power cycles

We research advanced cycles that maximise the conversion of high-temperature heat into electricity under demanding operating conditions.

Projects:

• High-temperature Rankine cycles (HELIOTROPE / SUNFLOWER)
• Supercritical CO₂ cycles, sCO₂ (DESOLINATION).
• Advanced Brayton cycles (ASTERIx-CAESar).
• Integrated power cycles for CSP and hybrid systems (DESOLINATION, ASTERIx-CAESar).
   

4. System integration & optimisation

We design and optimise how thermal systems connect to renewable energy, industrial processes, and broader energy infrastructure.

5. Digital tools & modelling
 

We develop modelling platforms and optimisation tools based on experimental data and real operating conditions.

Projects:

• Open-access LDES modelling platforms (AVANGUARD / Next CO₂ Vision).
• Multi-energy system optimisation (Next CO₂ Vision).
• Techno-economic and market analysis (AVANGUARD / Gate2GreenFuel).

Explore our R&D projects →