The Solar Thermal Energy Conversion and Utilization Research Group (DNL16T3) at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was established in October 2023, building upon the foundation of the Solar Science and Utilization Research Center within the Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy (DNL). As part of the Solar Photo-Chemical Conversion Center under the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Solar Action Plan and the 2011-iChEM Energy Material Chemistry Collaborative Innovation of Solar Thermal Center, the DNL16T3 group specializes in pioneering research and innovation in solar thermal conversion, storage, and utilization.
The group focuses on advancing application technology research and engineering scalability, supported by fundamental research, to develop cost-effective, large-scale solar thermal storage technologies and thermal storage systems. Its primary objective is to address challenges such as renewable resource intermittency, regional energy imbalances, long-distance energy transmission, and grid excess energy storage and regulation.
Key research objectives include providing accessible, economically viable core technologies for large-scale industrial deployment of solar thermal utilization, thereby contributing to China's "Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality" strategic plan. Research efforts encompass optimizing concentrating systems through machine learning, advancing photothermal absorption conversion technology, developing energy storage solutions tailored for photothermal systems, studying dynamic characteristics and heat transfer theory within photothermal systems, and conducting applied basic research. Additionally, the group engages in engineering technology research such as enhancing efficiency in photothermal power generation and power cycles, applying photothermal methods in industrial decarbonization and solar fuel production, utilizing photothermal energy in building and seawater desalination applications, and conducting technical and economic evaluations of photothermal systems.
