High-Temperature Solar Thermal Systems

This book explores the recent technological development and advancement in high-temperature solar thermal technologies, offering a comprehensive guide to harnessing solar energy for industrial processes, power generation, and energy storage in the 21st century. This book delves into the science and engineering behind systems that capture and concentrate sunlight to generate heat above 400°C, providing a clean, renewable solution to global energy needs. Readers are able to understand how different technologies are integrating with the solar thermal domain to make it more predictive, accurate, efficient, and reliable.

The book, the first volume in a sequence of volumes, covers both foundational principles and the latest innovations, encompassing advanced materials, heat transfer fluids, artificial intelligence, and algorithm applications, as well as applications of solar thermal technologies in various cutting-edge domains such as solar thermochemical green hydrogen production. With practical case studies and in-depth analysis, this book helps solar thermal application engineers, researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding solar thermal energy future pathways. Whether the reader is exploring solar thermal systems for the first time or looking for cutting-edge insights into this rapidly evolving field, the proposed book offers the knowledge and tools to drive sustainable energy solutions forward.

Professor Craig McGregor, a registered professional engineer, leads Stellenbosch University’s Solar Thermal Energy Research Group (STERG) and is a professor in Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. With two decades of industrial R&D at a multinational energy and chemical company, he brings practical experience to his academic role. His expertise spans chemical and mechanical engineering, focusing on concentrating solar thermal systems, green hydrogen, and energy systems integration. Under his leadership, STERG has become a leading international solar thermal research hub. As an associate director for Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, he mentors students and fosters collaborations with institutions like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. At Sasol, Professor McGregor spearheaded the Stellio heliostat technology, recognized with the 2015 SolarPACES Technology Innovation Award for its cost efficiency. He also managed the commercialization of chemical technologies and strategic planning for Sasol’s Southern Africa operations, resulting in numerous patents. 

Dr. Varun Pratap Singh is an Assistant Professor-SG in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Mechanical Cluster), UPES Dehradun, India, and a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Solar Thermal Energy Research Group (STERG) at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. With over 14 years of academic and industry experience, he specializes in solar thermal energy, thermo-fluid applications, system design, and prototyping. He has secured research grants worth over ₹5 million, published 30+ SCIE papers, 50+ SCOPUS articles, nine patents, and 30+ book chapters, and has edited five books with major publishers. He serves as Series Editor in Solar Thermal Technologies with Taylor & Francis and has guided 100+ undergrads and master scholars with 4 PhD researchers. He has also headed the Centre of Excellence, Solar Energy Centre, and the Industry–Academia Chair, promoting sustainable technology solutions. Beyond research, he is passionate about nature-inspired innovation and enjoys planting, hiking, and coin collection. 

Dr. Ashwani Kumar, a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, boasts over 15 years of diverse experience. He’s currently working as a Professor and the head department of Mechanical Engineering at Technical Education Department Uttar Pradesh Kanpur (under Government of Uttar Pradesh), India. Previously, he served as a senior lecturer and lecturer there, and as an assistant professor at Graphic Era University Dehradun India. A prolific academic, Dr. Kumar is a series editor for eight book series with CRC Press/ Taylor & Francis, Wiley Scrivener, and Apple Academic Press. With over 235 research publications, 40 co-authored/edited books, and 5 patents Dr. Kumar is a recognized scholar, awarded for teaching excellence. He’s guided 15 theses and is an external doctoral committee member at S.R.M. University New Delhi India. His research spans AI/ML in Mechanical Engineering, Smart Materials, Thermal Energy Storage, Renewable Energy, and Energy Efficient Green Technologies.