Speaker
Dr
Vinod Kumar Sharma
(ENEA Research Centre Trisaia)
Description
The use of energy in the form of heat is one of the largest items in the energy budget. In Europe, for instance, it accounts for around 50% of total energy consumption: around 630 million toe, of which 383 in low-temperature heat and 247 in medium and high-temperature heat. Solar energy has to play an important role in the future energy supply scenario particularly for the countries in the “sun belt.
It is true that reliable and mature low-temperature (<100°C) solar thermal technologies with several million square metres of solar collectors the installation per year provide a substantial share of the low temperature heat but detailed study still needs to be conducted to examine both technical and the economic potential of solar thermal technologies for different applications. The study will certainly help provide the European Union and its Member States with substantiated information on the solar thermal contribution to the 20% renewable energy target and its long-term potential.
It is in the above context, that all important aspects both technical and economic that could help solar thermal technology to reach its potential, are outlined in the present communication. A brief discussion about the European level quality mark (based on the European standards for solar thermal collectors and solar water heating system) accepted by all subsidy schemes, i.e. “Solar Keymark”, will also be a part of this presentation.
Author
Dr
Vinod Kumar Sharma
(ENEA Research Centre Trisaia)
