The project brief was to develop a technology that would supply steam to industrial and commercial users in India from a very innovative containerized solar thermal system developed originally by Larkfleet Limited under the name of Solar Steam.
A team of engineers from Larkfleet have worked almost on a daily basis with Taylormade Renewables Ltd a company located in the north west state of Gujarat where there is a large city called Ahmedabad. This city is known locally as the "Manchester of the North" a very industrialized city of 6 million people where the air quality is heavily polluted from coal burning power stations, diesel emissions and wood burning because there has never been an alternative non polluting system for the production of steam. With the grant assistance the Indian company was contracted to build a modular containerized solar thermal system using Fresnel lenses which were specially designed in the UK. These lenses derive their energy from the sun which is then concentrated onto an evacuated tube abbsorber through which is pumped a thermal fluid or water which is then stored as steam and then used for various applications. The whole system is self energized from a battery pack that operate the hydraulic systems. This battery pack is re-charged from two solar Pv panels mounted on a cassette style platform on which is built the sub structure and lens array all of which is operated hydraulically from a PLC control system using a novel 2D tracking system that maximizes energy outputs from the sun.
The system has now been constructed to the overall design supplied from the UK with some input from Cranfield University.
This has been a very challenging project as working with Indian companies who have a totally different culture and working practices. In terms of timelines this has proved very difficult through out the period of the build. This has resulted in many delays and set backs to the timelines agreed with Innovate UK. However, the "as built system" is currently undergoing an agreed programme of test protocols after which Larkfleet will look for suitable commercial companies in India to manufacture and market this technology under a licencing agreement for specific territories.
This technology has the ability and impact to change peoples’ lives as it will provide OFF - GRID energy in the form of heating, which can also be used for the treatment of saline and waste waters and also provide energy for cooling and irrigation systems particularly in very remote farming areas.
This technology will create opportunities for start- up businesses particularly in agriculture and the dairy industries who need steam for processing , pasteurization and cooling. This will also help to provide jobs and lift people out of poverty so they can enjoy a normal healthy life expectancy. This containerized modular system is totally non-polluting with a ZERO carbon footprint which is easily transported to where there is the greatest need in any off-grid environment. There is a increasing demand for this type of technology particularly in the “sun belt” regions of the world which have the largest populations and a growing need for all forms of energy that can be used for water processing for the supply of food and to promote commerce enterprise including hospitals.
Finally, there has been contact with the UN in Kyoto who are aware of this system and its suitability for disaster relief situations and they intend to view this system shortly for evaluation and possible use.