New developments and tools for condition monitoring

SOLARIZE Training course

SOLARIZE

Free training course for CST professionals on

New developments and tools for condition monitoring

Apply

Announcement and call for applications

Location: DLR Institute for Solar Research, Cologne, Germany
Date: 22nd to 24th October 2025
Target group: Engineers, researchers and representatives from European CST industry and companies who want to be trained on CST condition monitoring
Course Language: English
Trainers: Scientists and Specialists from DLR and University of Évora
Objective: The course will include theoretical and practical modules covering the following topics:
  • Airborne qualification and condition monitoring of heliostats at solar tower power plants with the use of UAV (drones).
  • Condition monitoring of solar process heat applications.
  • Component aging: measurement and accelerated aging of main CSP components (pipe connectors, receivers, mirrors, heat transfer fluid, pumps, valves, sensors).
  • Knowledge-Transfer and Networking: share information and experience not only between trainers and participants, but also between international industrial participants during the event and final workshop.
Application: The registration deadline is September 26th 2025 on a first come, first serve basis. Class size is limited to 17 participants. Eligible candidates will be informed until October 3rd, 2025. The maximum number of participants per company is two.

SOLARIZE project is funded by the European Union under the Grant Agreement No 101131982. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HADEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Fees: No course fee is applicable.

The costs for transport between DLR Jülich and Cologne, coffee breaks and lunch will be covered by the SOLARIZE project. Accommodation and travel costs shall be covered by the participant.
Contact: For further information about the course, please contact:
Daniel Benitez (DLR), Tel.: +49 2203 6014161, email: daniel.benitez@dlr.de
Sonja Kallio (DLR), Tel.: +49 2203 6011059, email: sonja.kallio@dlr.de
Participation: To apply please fill out the application form, found under this SOLARIZE event page.

Draft Course Program “New developments and tools for condition monitoring”

Wednesday, 22/10/25
Welcome at DLR Cologne and Introduction to DLR DLR
Introduction to condition monitoring in solar tower plants DLR
Participant's introduction, experience in issues relevant to this course All participants
Get more out of existing measurement data – Model-based condition monitoring Alex Brenner (DLR-SF)
Lunch (DLR Canteen)
Commissioning and Operation of the HPS-2 Loop at EMSP: Developments, Achievements, and Challenges Paula Martins (Uni Evora)
MOPOW facility presentation Christoph Hilgert / Nicole Janotte (DLR-FF)
MOPOW visit Christoph Hilgert / Nicole Janotte (DLR-FF)
SOPRAN visit Dirk Krüger (DLR-SF)
Solar furnace TBD (DLR-FF)
QUARZ Center Benedikt Kölsch (DLR-SF)
Thursday, 23/10/25
Transfer to DLR Jülich
Presentation LEIA project Marc Röger (DLR-SF)
Operation and maintenance of solar tower plants Felix Göhring (DLR-SF)
Measurements of Heliostats Marc Röger (DLR-SF)
Condition monitoring of REPAs Sonja Kallio (DLR-SF)
Lunch
Synlight visit Dmitri Laaber (DLR-FF)
Solar Towers visit Felix Göhring (DLR-SF)
Friday, 24/10/25
Field observations and damage diagnostics in commercial solar thermal plants Eckhard Lüpfert (DLR-SF)
New tools for CSP plants operation optimization Radia Ait El Cadi (Uni Evora)
Presentation drone measurements for condition monitoring Marc Röger (DLR-SF)
Industry presentation TBD
Lunch (DLR Canteen)
Industry presentation TBD
Introduction Condition Monitoring Workshop Benedikt Kölsch & Sonja Kallio (DLR-SF)
Condition Monitoring Workshop All participants (hybrid event)
Wrap up Benedikt Kölsch & Sonja Kallio (DLR-SF)
Apply