Your name
Your email
1.1 Type of organization (Multiple choice):
Industry / Technology providerUtility / Energy companyEngineering / EPC companyResearch organization / UniversityPublic authority / Policy makerFinancial institution / InvestorIndustry associationOther
1.2 Country of operation (Multiple choice):
1.3 Level of involvement in CST technologies (Linear scale: 1 = very limited, 5 = very high):
12345
1.4 What is the country of origin of your company?
2.1 How do you assess the technological maturity of CST technologies in Europe (a) Linear scale: 1 = very limited, 5 = very high)
2.2 Which are the main barriers to large-scale deployment: select up to three choices
High investment costsLack of financing instrumentsRegulatory barriersCompetition from other energy technologiesTechnological challengesLimited industrial supply chainMarket awarenessOther
2.3 Applications with the highest potential for CST technologies (select up to three):
Renewable electricity generationIndustrial process heatHydrogen productionSolar fuels / e-fuelsChemical processesDesalination / water treatmentEnergy storage integrationHybrid systemsSmall systems / off-gridOther
3.1 CST technologies to prioritize in future research and innovation programmes (Multiple choice – select up to 3):
Linear solar receiversCentral solar receiversSolar collectors / heliostatsHigh concentration systemsSolar windows for reactorsThermal energy storageHeat transfer fluidsNew materialsAI optimizationDigitalizationSystem integrationPower block technologiesHybrid systemsOther
In what timeframe do you expect major improvements? In the first column insert the name of the technology selected in the previous question.
Technology number_:
Short-term (0–5 years)Medium-term (5–10 years)Long-term (10+ years)
3.2 Which components most limit CST efficiency (Multiple choice – select up to 3)?
Solar fieldReceiverThermal storagePower blockInsulation materialsOptimized controlMaintenance downtimeHeat transfer fluid
3.3 What are the key technological challenges that must be addressed to enhance efficiency and reduce the costs of CST systems? Please rate the importance of the following challenges: (Linear scale: 1 = very limited, 5 = very high):
Reducing maintenance costs (OPEX): 12345
Improving thermal efficiency, process efficiency: 12345
Reducing capital costs (CAPEX): 12345
Reducing financial and administrative costs (loan interest rates, insurance rates, authorizations…): 12345
Enhancing energy storage systems: 12345
Improving heat transfer fluids: 12345
Increasing durability of materials: 12345
Scaling up from demonstrator to commercial scale: 12345
Other (specify):
If you have limited experience with CST technology costs, or if you prefer a shorter response, you can choose to answer only Q4.7 (simplified question). Alternatively, you may complete questions Q4.1–Q4.6 to provide more detailed input.
4.1 To what extent do the following factors contribute to the overall costs of CST systems? (1 = very limited, 5 = very high):
Material costs (mirrors, receivers, structures)
Installation and construction costs
Operation and maintenance (O&M) costs
System efficiency and energy losses
Thermal energy storage technologies
Financing costs (CAPEX, WACC)
Regulations and permitting
Geographic location
4.2 Rank the TOP THREE factors in terms of their impact on CST costs (1 = most relevant)
4.3 Distribute 100 points across the following factors based on their contribution to CST costs
4.4 Which factors will have the greatest impact on REDUCING CST costs over the next 10 years? (1 = very limited, 5 = very high):
Technological innovation
Digitalization
4.5 What is currently the main cost driver in CST systems? (Type: Single choice)
Material costs (mirrors, receivers, structures)Installation and construction costsOperation and maintenance (O&M) costsSystem efficiency and energy lossesThermal energy storage technologiesFinancing costs (CAPEX, WACC)Regulations and permittingGeographic location
4.6 Are there any additional factors or considerations regarding CST costs that you find relevant?
4.7 (Only for respondents without prior experience in CST/CSP technologies)
In your opinion, to what extent do the following factors influence the costs of concentrated solar thermal energy? (1 = very limited, 5 = very high)
Cost of main materials
Plant construction costs
Operation and maintenance costs
System efficiency (how much energy is produced)
Energy storage systems
Financial costs (investments, loans)
Rules and permits
Location of the plant
5.1 Importance of integration with other energetic systems for heat production (1 = very limited, 5 = very high):
5.2 Role in smart grids (max 3)
Dispatchable renewable energy generationGrid stability and balancingEnergy storage supportPeak load managementIntegration with other renewables (PV, wind)Industrial heat supplyOther (specify)
6.1 Policy instruments that could best support CST development in Europe (Multiple choice – select up to 3):
R&D funding programmesDemonstration projectsMarket incentivesFinancing frameworkCarbon pricingPublic private partnershipsIndustrial innovation programmesOther (specify)
6.2 In your opinion, how important is it to strengthen collaboration between industry, research, and European institutions in the development of CST technologies? (1 = very limited, 5 = very high):
6.3 Which actions are most needed in the next decade to accelerate the deployment of CST technologies? Please rate the importance of the following challenges: (select up to 3):
Increased public funding and incentivesTechnological innovation and R&DAccess and support to R&D CST infrastructuresCost reduction strategiesImproved energy storage solutionsStronger collaboration between industry and researchPolicy and supportive regulatory frameworksMarket incentives (e.g., subsidies, carbon pricing)Grid infrastructure developmentOther (specify)
6.4 Which are the regulations or the policies important to support the deployment of CST/CSP technologies in Europe.
6.5 Which policy strategy for cost reduction do you consider most promising?
7.1 Expected role of CST technologies worldwide by 2040:
MinorComplementarySignificantKey Please, explain the answer:
7.2 Expected role of CST technologies worldwide by 2050:
8.1 Additional recommendations for the European Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for CST:
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