Exciting news from SPIN member Synhelion! The heliostat field of the DAWN plant is now installed, marking the completion of its construction phase. Synhelion is now focusing on commissioning the plant and is set to commence solar fuel production soon.
A Journey from Groundbreaking to Completion
Back in late 2022, Synhelion began constructing its first industrial-scale demonstration plant, DAWN, located in Jülich, Germany. Over the past two years, the construction phase has been in full swing, with the final milestone – the installation of the mirror field – now achieved. This significant development heralds a new era in solar fuel technology.
Introducing Sun-to-Liquid Technology
At DAWN, Synhelion will showcase its groundbreaking Sun-to-Liquid technology on an industrial scale for the first time. This innovative technology harnesses concentrated solar radiation to produce synthetic fuels through a thermochemical process. The heart of this system lies in the heliostats, or mirrors, which are designed to follow the sun, reflect its radiation, and concentrate it onto a solar receiver at the top of a tower.
Synhelion’s heliostats are meticulously designed to generate high-temperature process heat. With precision engineering, ultra-thin mirrors are bent to an optimal shape, ensuring minimal deviation and maximum accuracy when targeting the receiver. This precision is crucial for optimal performance and energy yield throughout the plant’s lifetime. Additionally, Synhelion has developed an AI-based method using drones to calibrate the heliostats, speeding up the process by over 200 times compared to traditional methods.
A Word from Synhelion’s CTO
Philipp Good, CTO of Synhelion, expressed his excitement about this milestone: “The installation of the heliostat field was the final step in the construction of DAWN. Now we will inaugurate plant DAWN and continue with the ongoing commissioning of the plant to start fuel production.”
A Pioneering Step Towards Sustainable Fuels
DAWN represents a pivotal step in scaling up Synhelion’s solar fuel technology. This plant will demonstrate the robustness and viability of the Sun-to-Liquid technology at an industrial level. The inauguration event for plant DAWN is scheduled for June 2024, where the first fuels produced will be showcased across the transportation sector, highlighting the importance of sustainable fuels in the energy transition.
Future solar fuel plants, such as Synhelion’s upcoming commercial solar fuel plant in Spain, will be even larger and boast significantly higher production capacities, further advancing the transition to sustainable energy solutions.
Stay tuned to our blog for more updates on this groundbreaking project and the future of solar fuels!
For more information and the latest updates, visit https://synhelion.com/solar-fuels-and-plants/solar-fuel-plants