The Ministry of Science and Innovation, trough the General Direction of International Cooperation and Institutional Relations, has subscribed a collaboration agreement with the CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas) Research Center for energy and environment, for the selection of the requiered equipment to carry out the SolarNOVA (ICT-CEPU2009-0001) at the Plataforma Solar de Almería co-financed by the Technological Fund with a credit at no interest for the amount of 11.600.000 euros.  The aim of this project is to expand, improve, renew and remodel the Plataforma Solar de Almería, as Singular Scientific and Technological Installations (SSTI), included in the National Map of Scientific and Technological Infrastructure. The woks currently underway in this Project are:

1.HIGH AND MEDIUM TEMPERATURE TECHNOLOGIES (ICT-CEPU2009-0002)

  • Research system of advanced thermal flux circuit components
  • Scientific equipment for the new international cooperation line in characterization and standardization of solar receivers.
  • Renovation of the data acquisition system of the current loop for Direct Solar Steam Generation ‘DISS’.
  • Tests facility for parabolic-trough collectors
  • Delivery of 150 mechanisms to renovate the CESA-1 heliostats field and other infrastructure improvements
  • High Concentration Solar Furnace for Thermochemical processes at high temperature

2.SOLAR CHEMISTRY AND DESALINATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT-CEPU2009-0003)

  • Test facility and scientific instruments for the Environmental Applications of Solar Energy in water treatment and disinfection Unit.
  • Improvements of the testing area of solar collectors for water desalination.  

3. GENERAL INFRASTRUCTURES OF THE CENTER (ICT-CEPU2009-0004)

  • Refurbishing of the old office building into laboratories
  • Civil Works
  • Equipments for Technical building, library and computer center.
  • New laboratories building for optical and thermal characterization of the Solar Concentrating Systems