ThermaFLEX – Heat supply of the future
SOLID Solar Energy Systems GmbH participated in the flagship project ThermaFLEX. The project dealt with increasing energy flexibility and resulting CO₂-emission reductions in the district heating sector.
SOLID’s latest project is being carried out in Chile for the European Southern Observatory (ESO) at the La Silla site. La Silla Observatory is located on the edge of the Chilean Atacama Desert, 600 km north of Santiago de Chile and at an altitude of 2400 metres. There, ESO operates two of the most powerful 3.6-metre telescopes in the world. Astronomers use these ultra-modern observatories to study objects from our solar system and the universe (Learn more).
Aim and purpose of the project
ESO (European Southern Observatory) is seeking to radically change the way it generates the heating and cooling energy needed for its telescopes and accommodation facilities, with the aim of achieving the greatest possible independence from fossil fuels and future price fluctuations in electricity supplies, while keeping operating costs predictably low. This change will further contribute to ESO’s commitment to significantly reducing CO2 emissions from its operations.
What is planned?
The task of the tender was to develop a solar driven system in combination with a high-end storage technology that ensures day and night coverage of the cooling, heating and hot water demand. Furthermore, “the site’s electricity needs must be covered, and an advanced power management system should ensure that the peak yields of the summer months are effectively used in the internal power grid of La Silla and enable a predictive maintenance system” says Mr. Johannes Luttenberger who was responsible for the technical concept.
SOLID won the tender with the technical approach of a PV system combined with hot and cold-water energy storages, advanced heat pumps and a high-efficient electrical chiller. The system will provide hot water, electricity and heating for residential facilities at the Observatory, cooling energy for a telescope and an online monitoring system for maintenance and performance tracking. Additionally, SOLID will provide remote maintenance services for future years at the location.
This project highlights SOLID as a leading company with engineering capacities and experience of overall customized renewable energy concepts, including the combination of different technologies and EPC activities worldwide.
With such a system, La Silla Observatory will be more sustainable, independent and conserving environmental and economic resources.
SOLID Solar Energy Systems GmbH participated in the flagship project ThermaFLEX. The project dealt with increasing energy flexibility and resulting CO₂-emission reductions in the district heating sector.
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