Solar steam systems based on patented CSP panels for industrial process heat
Fresnex GmbH
AustriaNew on Amplifa
About us
Fresnex GmbH developed and manufactured a solar steam system for generating process steam for industrial applications based on concentrating solar technology (CSP). The patented CSP panel combines pivotably mounted mirror strips with drive and control on a single plate, focuses the sun onto a receiver tube and generates steam from it. The modules with 10 m² of mirror surface cover a temperature range of 100 °C to 250 °C and enable steam production of 0.3 to 5 t/h in open and closed loops; steam, water, glycol or thermal oil serve as heat transfer fluids. Project sizes range from 500 m² to 20,000 m², and the flat installation takes place on roofs in all geographic orientations. The company was founded in 2012 by Hartmut Schneider and Denis Miklau, worked closely with Ecotherm Austria and participated in the EU project HYBUILD. At the end of 2019, the Fresnex technology was taken over by Ecotherm Austria GmbH; project inquiries today are handled via Ecotherm.
- Site
- Austria
- Processes
- Solar steam generation (Concentrated Solar Power, CSP) for industrial process steam supply, Solar steam generation 100°C to 250°C, steam production 0.3–5 t/h, open and closed, Manufacturing of CSP panels (patented mirror modules with pivotably mounted mirror strips,, Solar process steam generation (CSP panels), Planning/integration of solar fields into existing steam systems, Project execution with partner Ecotherm Austria
- Materials
- CSP panel (Fresnel mirror module), Steam, Water, Glycol, Thermal oil
- Certificates
- ISO 9001
- Founded
- 2012
- Industries
- Industry (process heat/steam), Solar thermal/energy technology
- 01
Engineering and system development
- 02
Manufacturing of the CSP panels
- 03
Planning of the solar field
- 04
Integration into existing steam systems
- 05
Installation and commissioning
Technology and heat transfer fluids
CSP panel (Fresnel mirror module)
Patented, low-cost mirror module with pivotably mounted mirror strips, drive and control on a single plate, mountable flat on roofs.
Steam
Heat transfer fluid for process steam generation at 100–250 °C for open and closed loops.
Water
Used as a heat transfer fluid depending on process requirements.
Glycol
Used as a heat transfer fluid depending on process requirements.
Thermal oil
Used as a heat transfer fluid depending on process requirements.
Locations
Austria
ATDevelopment, manufacturing and project execution
- Part weight / size
- Modules with 10 m² mirror surface
- Lot size
- Project sizes from 500 m² to 20,000 m²
- Materials
- Mirror strips, receiver tube, steam, water, glycol, thermal oil
- CSP panel (solar mirror module with mirror strips, drive and control)
System components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar steam generation (Concentrated Solar Power, CSP) for industrial process steam supplyEngineering | – | Modules with 10 m² mirror surface | – | Project sizes from 500 m² – Project sizes up to 20,000 m² | Mirrors (mirror strips), Receiver tube, Heat transfer fluid (steam, water, glycol, thermal oil) |
| Solar steam generation 100°C to 250°C, steam production 0.3–5 t/h, open and closedEngineering | – | – | – | – | Steam, Water, Glycol, Thermal oil |
| Manufacturing of CSP panels (patented mirror modules with pivotably mounted mirror strips,Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
1 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSP panel (solar mirror module with mirror strips, drive and control) | Fresnex GmbH CSP Panel | – | 10 m² mirror surface per module | – | – |
Additional services
Quality
No documented certifications or testing equipment information is available; the technology was successfully commissioned together with Ecotherm Austria.
| Evidence | Austria |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 |
History
- 2012
Founding of Fresnex GmbH by Hartmut Schneider and Denis Miklau to develop a solar steam system for rooftop applications.
- 2014
Activity according to the company chronicle (November 2014).
- 2015
Activity according to the company chronicle (January 2015).
- 2016
Integration of a 200 m² solar field into an existing steam system together with Ecotherm Austria; ORF TV feature on the occasion of the Long Night of Research.
- 2017
Commissioning of solar steam generation at 180 °C / 10 bar with Ecotherm; nomination for the Lower Austria Innovation Award; start of the EU project HYBUILD (21 partners, 11 EU countries).
- 2018
Participation in the HYBUILD project on hybrid storage systems, 4-year duration, led by COMSA Corporación.
- 2019
At the end of 2019, the Fresnex technology was taken over by Ecotherm Austria GmbH.