The CSIRO Solar Hybrid Fuels project examined concentrated solar fuels and concluded that hybrid options are very attractive in the medium term, and pure solar driven thermochemical processes for water and carbon dioxide splitting appear very promising in the long term.
Report extract
Imagine using Australia’ abundant solar energy to create low emissions, sustainable, and low cost solar fuels that could be used to run your car engine, power aircraft, and create a sustainable export industry in Australia.
Concentrated Solar Fuels (CSF) are combustible fuels (liquid and gas) that are created utilising concentrated solar energy. The solar energy is transformed into chemical energy for use in a variety of applications. Potential CSF products include synthetic diesel, gasoline (petrol), methanol, ammonia and hydrogen.
There are a number of potential technologies that could enable a CSF Industry in Australia. However, until recently, no comprehensive study has ever been completed looking at the opportunity in Australia.