CSIRO CSP Research Initiative
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- Created on Thursday, 04 April 2013 14:27
- Written by AUSTELA
CSIRO has secured a significant investment from ARENA for a long-term program of research aimed at accelerating cost reductions in CSP technology. The Australian Solar Thermal Research Initiative (ASTRI) will be led by prominent CSP technologist and current Chair of the SolarPACES Executive Committee, Dr Manuel Blanco.
Based at CSIRO’s National Solar Energy Centre at Newcastle, the ASTRI is an A$87 million, eight year international collaboration with leading research institutions, industry bodies and universities.
This further investment in Australian research capability in CSP is very welcome, and builds upon Australia’s and CSIRO’s long and distinguished leadership in CSP research.
The challenge remains for Australia to leverage research investment by investing in local CSP deployment. As the major report ‘Realising the Potential for CSP in Australia’ (Australian Solar Institute, July 2012) noted, the key to Australia benefiting from CSP in our energy system and leveraging the benefits of international CSP deployment, is to grow local CSP industry capability and market experience through deployment of CSP technologies in Australia.
AUSTELA is engaging with CSIRO to establish the foundations for ongoing CSP industry involvement in the ASTRI.