Solar for Industrial Process Heat

Northwestern University (NU) will support the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in conducting a study of the technical potential for use of solar energy resources in the U.S. manufacturing sector, with analysis at the process, plant, industry, and U.S. regional levels. Specific research tasks will include, in collaboration with NREL researchers:• Conducting a literature to review past studies of solar energy use in industry for comparison to project results• Conducting a review of the literature, plant-level energy/emissions reporting databases, industry studies, and equipment data to construct process-level data on heat requirements of different industrial processes and equipment• Compilation of data on solar thermal and electrified process technologies for various industrial applications, inclusive of energy and economic performance, and delivered quantities and qualities of heat• Design and execution of a modeling strategy to estimate the technical potential for solar energy adoption at the process, plant, industry, and regional levels• Drafting and editing of project publications summarizing sources, methods, and results, such as technical reports and/or peer-reviewed journal articles and conference/sponsor presentations• Contributions to overall project strategies and plans• Regular participation in project conference calls and presentations throughout the project