| 1. |
- Lindquist, T., et al.
(author)
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A novel modular and dispatchable CSP Stirling system : Design, validation, and demonstration plans
- 2019
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In: AIP Conference Proceedings. - : American Institute of Physics (AIP).
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper summarizes the preliminary results from the on-going development of a novel modular dispatchable solar power plant concept. The work encompasses techno-economic feasibility assessment, concept design, full scale sub-system tests and validation work, and ultimately plans for a fully integrated demonstration of the system. The proposed solar power plant concept consists of a heliostat field that powers a latent heat thermal energy storage (TES), fitted on a small tower. The solar receiver located underneath the TES tank, is an optical cavity with a small aperture that enables the concentrated sunlight to be emitted directly on the solar absorber surface while ensuring low convective and radiative losses. The stored thermal energy is provided to the engine, in proximity to the latent heat storage, with a pumped heat transfer fluid (HTF). The Stirling engine with a rated power of 13 kW has been modified and optimised for the operational conditions that the eutectic aluminum-silicon latent heat storage provides. For example, a new engine tubular gas heater has been developed for the HTF (i.e. sodium) and the expansion cylinder has been enlarged to improve both efficiency and power output as the temperature of the working gas is somewhat lower than in previous dish Stirling application. The choice of eutectic aluminum-silicon as TES media resulted from a thorough assessment of several phase change materials throughout the design phase of the project. Indeed, such a TES media selected would benefit from a suitable melting temperature of around 580°C, high energy density, high thermal conductivity, and low cost.
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| 2. |
- Hertin, J., et al.
(author)
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Rationalising the policy mess? : Ex ante policy assessment and the utilisation of knowledge in the policy process
- 2009
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In: Environment and planning A. - : SAGE Publications. - 0308-518X .- 1472-3409. ; 41:5, s. 1185-1200
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Procedures for the ex ante assessment of public policies are currently in vogue across the OECD. Their design is typically informed by a rational-instrumental model of problem solving, which assumes that knowledge is collected, evaluated, and then translated straightforwardly into ‘better policies’. But this model has been little affected by more than three decades of academic research which has demonstrated that the reality of everyday policy making is far messier. In this paper we analyse whether the uptake of ex ante assessment of policies is nonetheless capable of creating opportunities for policy deliberation and learning informed by new assessment knowledge. Drawing on an analysis of policy assessment procedures in three countries and the European Union, we find that there are several ways in which assessment knowledge is used in the policy process. Moreover, we argue that policy learning occurs despite, rather than because of, the instrumental design of new assessment procedures, which tends to act as a barrier to open deliberation and knowledge utilisation.
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