De-risking technology before it is built

Aalborg CSP has been engineering thermal energy systems for close to four decades. Our R&D capability is fully integrated into this work. Not as theory, but as a way to reduce technical risk before implementation.

When we bring R&D into a project, clients are not paying for us to learn. We already understand where the uncertainties lie, and how to resolve them. We take technologies from early concept through validation to pre-commercial readiness, ensuring that what is designed can be built and will perform as expected.

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How we work with R&D at Aalborg CSP
 

We take technologies from early concept through validation to pre-commercial readiness — ensuring that what is designed can be built and will perform as expected.

Phase 1: Concept & Exploration (TRL 1–3)

Early-stage research, new concepts, and system architecture.

Selected projects:

• CSP-driven forward osmosis (DESOLINATION)
• Novel molten salts (HELIOTROPE)
• Advanced optical concepts (MOSAIC)
• Multi-energy systems & sector coupling (Next CO₂ Vision)
• CCUS and Power-to-X integration (Next CO₂ Vision / Gate2GreenFuel)
• Open-access modelling platforms (Avanguard / Next CO₂ Vision)
• Supercritical CO₂ (sCO₂) cycles (DESOLINATION)
   

Phase 2: Validation & Prototyping (TRL 3–5)

Technology validation through testing, prototyping, and modelling.

Selected projects:

• Open volumetric air receivers (OVAR) (SUNFLOWER)
• High-efficiency absorber structures (SUNFLOWER)
• High-temperature materials and coatings (HELIOTROPE)
• Thermochemical energy storage (TCES) (RESTORE)
• Compressed air energy storage (CAES) (ASTERIX & CAESAR)
• Reversible ORC / heat pump systems (RESTORE)
• Waste heat recovery solutions (TREASURE)
• Supercritical CO₂ (sCO₂) cycles (DESOLINATION)
• Techno-economic modelling and optimisation (Avanguard / Next CO₂ Vision / RESTORE / SUNFLOWER)
   

Phase 3: Pilot & Demonstration (TRL 6–7)

Real-world validation through pilot plants and system integration

• High-concentration Fresnel spherical modules (MOSAIC)
• Next-generation CSP receivers (SUNFLOWER / ASTERIX & CAESAR)
• High-temperature molten salt storage (HELIOTROPE)
• Compressed air energy storage (CAES) (ASTERIX & CAESAR)
• Hybrid multi-energy systems (Next CO₂ Vision / Gate2GreenFuel)
• CSP-integrated reverse osmosis (DESOLINATION)
• Supercritical CO₂ (sCO₂) cycles (DESOLINATION)
   

From innovation to market: Turning R&D into scalable, commercially viable systems
 

We translate research into real-world application, integrating results into engineering solutions, applying them in EPC project execution, and developing them into commercial products such as solar receivers.

 

Explore our R&D projects →