Rethinking Solar: KTH Researcher Explores Hybrid PV–CSP for Cost-Competitive Dispatchable Power
Delivering cost-competitive, dispatchable solar power remains an important and ongoing challenge in the transition to low-carbon energy systems. While Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) offers inherent advantages through integrated Thermal Energy Storage (TES), its adoption has been quite limited largely due to high costs and the need for large-scale deployment to maintain competitiveness. KTH Doctoral Researcher – Salvatore Guccione, from the Energy Technology Department is tackling this challenge by exploring how CSPs can become both cost-competitive and flexible at smaller scales. Results from his concluding PhD studies highlight that Hybrid PV-CSP systems with storage, integrated with Supercritical CO2 (sCO2) power cycles, lead to more cost effective dispatchable solar power.
Largely focused on the techno-economic design and optimization of hybrid PV–CSP systems integrated with Thermal Energy Storage (TES), Electric Heaters (EH), and supercritical CO₂ (sCO₂) power cycles, Salvatore’s research helps to pinpoint optimal integration schemes and strategies for dispatchable solar electricity within different markets, conditions and objectives, demonstrating how PV, CSP, TES systems and power cycles could be designed as an integrated system. The research, extending this approach to power-to-heat-to-power (P2H2P) configurations also went further to capture how thermal storage can complement battery-based solutions – especially for long-duration energy storage.
A central component of the work was the development of the modelling tool “ MoSES ” (Modelling of Sustainable Energy Systems) – a Python-based techno-economic modelling and optimization platform developed by Salvatore during his PhD, for annual performance simulation, dispatch optimization, and multi-objective optimization of hybrid renewable energy systems. MoSES combines thermodynamic simulation, bottom-up cost modelling, operational dispatch strategies, and optimization algorithms to evaluate the design and operation of complex renewable energy systems under realistic operating conditions. The tool along with the research surrounding it was launched, utilized and enhanced within the framework of several EU-funded collaborative projects including SOLARSCO2OL , HYBRIDplus , Powder2Power , SHARP-sCO₂ , and FLUWS whilst under the supervision of Rafael Guedez and Björn Laumert .
Salvatore’s work indeed highlights KTH’s broader commitment in advancing sustainability-focused research that bridges theory and application, helping guide the development of cost-competitive, dispatchable renewable technologies for future energy systems.
👉 To also get more information on the MoSES tool and hybrid PV–CSP systems, or to explore collaboration opportunities within CSP related research at KTH’s Heat and Power Technology division, kindly contact our team.
