Solarflux FOCUS Parabolic Dish Concentrator Converts 72% Of Solar Energy Into Usable Heat
Solarflux, a company specializing in parabolic dish concentrator technology, has developed the FOCUS parabolic dish concentrator, which converts 72% of the solar energy it gets into usable heat. This news comes from Solarflux, which just announced the results of an independent report by Lehigh University’s Energy Research Center. The report was conducted in close accordance with the methods outlined in the ASTM 905-87 industry standard relating to solar concentrators.
The report reviewed the Solarflux FOCUS parabolic dish concentrator’s performance test results. It showed that the device demonstrated solar-to-thermal conversion efficiency of 72%, meaning that once solar energy arrives at the FOCUS, 72% of it is converted into usable heat.
Solarflux FOCUS parabolic dish concentrator. Photo courtesy of Solarflux, used with permission.
The company noted that its solar-to-conversion efficiency is comparable to best-in-class solar-to-thermal conversion performance from alternative concentrating solar power (CSP) systems such as parabolic troughs. The difference, however, is that the FOCUS is a full, two-axis tracking device that is able to maintain perfect alignment with the sun from dawn until dusk at all latitudes.
This enables the delivery of maximum conversion efficiency throughout the day and year-round, which reportedly gives the FOCUS a significantly higher annual energy yield than alternative CSPs. FOCUS has outperformed parabolic troughs by up to 50% or more depending on the system’s peak capacity and site location.
Solarflux FOCUS parabolic dish concentrator. Photo courtesy of Solarflux, used with permission.
The new FOCUS dish seems to offer a low-cost, low-maintenance, zero-emission modular thermal energy solution that can be used in a variety of ways. These include:
- Industrial process heat.
- Water desalination and purification.
- Space heating and cooling.
- Hot water.
- Remote power generation.
Solarflux FOCUS parabolic dish concentrator. Photo courtesy of Solarflux, used with permission.
I had a quick chat with Solarflux CEO and founder Naoise Irwin, who said:
“This report provides independent confirmation of what we have long known — that the FOCUS solar concentrator is the highest performing solar technology out there.
“With a low lifetime cost of energy and room for further performance improvements, we are excited about the prospects for the FOCUS.”
Additional Information About Solarflux FOCUS
Solarflux FOCUS parabolic dish concentrator. Photo courtesy of Solarflux, used with permission.
The FOCUS is said to have a small physical footprint relative to other solar energy technologies. The company says that its thermal energy storage solution is around 1/10th of the price of battery storage, which allows FOCUS to be used to power nighttime operations sustainably at a low cost, and in remote locations.
It’s made up of mostly aluminum and steel and is highly recyclable. It doesn’t have an e-waste problem or toxic substances to manage at the end of its life. The thermal energy that FOCUS produces can be used for many things. Irwin pointed out, as well, that many of these uses can be helpful to mining companies of various sorts — due to the efficiency and capability in remote locations as well as the diversity of uses.
Earlier this spring, Solarflux shared a blog post titled, “The Promise of Parabolic Dish CSP Technology,” which pointed out that parabolic dishes are commonly understood as the most efficient concentrating solar power CSP technology and noted that the promise has been long recognized.
The article described some of the challenges that CSP has faced as an industry over the past decade, but explained that the Solarflux team earnestly believes that CSP, especially the parabolic dish, has significant potential, most notably as a distributed solar thermal (versus electrical) energy technology. Citing the IEA, the article pointed out that heat is the largest energy end-use and it accounts for over 50% of energy consumption. Half of this is used by industry, with a balance used for space and water heating (think cooking in homes and buildings) and agriculture with only around 10% of the heat being provided by renewable technologies.
Another large energy consumer mentioned was air conditioning, which accounts for up to 27% of home energy consumption in parts of the US. Mine is definitely in that number — heat domes are not fun! Solarflux noted that air conditioning can be more energy efficient if it uses a thermal energy source along with an absorption chiller. You can read more here.
Toyota has the worst climate lobbying score of any automaker, and the third-worst 2030 EV production plans, according to InfluenceMap’s annual report on climate lobbying.
Another year, another report showing how bad Toyota is for the environment.
Toyota has routinely ranked at the bottom of InfluenceMap’s climate policy engagement rankings, and this year is no different.
InfluenceMap routinely ranks automakers and auto industry associations based on how much they lobby to stop climate policy goals. These rankings don’t just show automakers’ EV plans, but also show how much each automaker is doing to try to stop governments from protecting the populace from pollution.
Some of this lobbying comes from automakers themselves, and some of it comes from their membership in trade associations, which aggregate the positions of several companies to increase lobbying power.
InfluenceMap looks at the actions of these trade associations across the globe, and ranks automakers based on how many associations they’re a member of, how many briefs they’ve filed in favor of or against various climate policy goals, and what their plans are for the future of their manufacturing.
This is broken down into an “organization score” (how much the organization itself lobbies), “relationship score” (membership in trade organizations and how positive their lobbying efforts are), “engagement intensity” (how involved in lobbying the corporation is), and what the manufacturer’s EV manufacturing plans total up to.
Tesla led the list, but only received a “B” score because of its low engagement intensity. While Tesla supports positive climate policy and is generally a member of groups pushing positive instead of negative climate policy, it doesn’t lobby as much as other organizations do (a situation that may be made worse by the departure of Tesla’s policy head in April).
Some other automakers were given kudos for occasional positive moves, like Ford, GM, VW and Mercedes. But pretty much nobody got what could be considered a passing score – with “C-” grades or worse for all but three automakers.
And as usual, the Japanese automakers are ranked among the lowest. The Japanese EV industry has been slow to electrify, putting an important national industry at risk. Nissan is the standout from amongst the Japanese, but it still did not receive a passing grade.
On production plans, most automakers score poorly, with only 3 of the 15 automakers analyzed having commitments compatible with the International Energy Agency’s target of 66% EVs by 2030. This number is necessary to have any chance of limiting climate change to 1.5ºC. Forecasts suggest the industry will only produce 53% EVs by 2030 at current pace.
Toyota does not actually rank last place on this measure – Honda and Suzuki are behind it. But given the intensity of Toyota’s negative climate lobbying, it gets the crown for worst automaker on climate once again, continuing the several years it has worn it.
For more detail into the rankings, read the full InfluenceMap report here.
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To ensure its new Mustang Mach-E Rally car is ready to tackle any terrain, Ford set up a secret course to test it. Ford says its new electric rally car is a testament to what’s possible when you combine passion with design and engineering. Check out how the Mach-E Rally car evolved below.
The electric Mustang rally car is here
“Can we make a rally-inspired version of the Mustang Mach-E?” Ford’s product planners, Peter Schultz and Craig Migliori, were asked in 2022. Their answer? Absolutely.
Shultz and Migliori took a “hand-me-down” Mustang Mach-E GT and added new wheels and off-road tires. After testing it at Ford’s Michigan Proving Grounds, they were confident it could become a reality.
The team lifted the Mach-E GT 1″ with RallyCross-tuned shocks and springs to enable it to tackle rougher terrain. Meanwhile, 19″ wheels wrapped in Michelin CrossClimate 2 rubber and underbody shielding are added to help protect the vehicle.
Not only did the Rally car need off-road capability, but the team also knew it needed a rugged design to accompany it.
Contrasting accents on the upper and lower body moldings, a front splitter and rear spoiler, and a black painted steel roof are added for a more aggressive style. The Mustang Mach-E also features built-in rally-inspired fog lights.
To prove the modifications were worthy, Ford off-road attributes engineer Chris Berchin and vehicle engineering supervisor Jay Kistler put the electric Rally car up to the test.
Ford sets up secret rally course for testing
The team set up a secret 500 combined mile “torture test” course at Ford’s Michigan Proving Grounds. The new course was designed to put the Mustang Mach-E Rally through the equivalent of about ten years of monthly rallycross racing.
Tests included tight turns through loose dirt terrain. “We tested in numerous different weather scenarios and temperatures with conditions ranging from muddy to dry – typical of what rallycross competitors might face,” Berchin explained.
“Likewise, the surface is dirt of varying composition, allowing for different traction scenarios.” Before building the course, the team went to Rallycross events and interviewed drivers to make sure they were projecting a true representation of what the environment looks and feels like.
Using this info, Ford engineers plotted the course with a full computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis, complete with mapping elevation, exact speeds, timing, and more.
Ford used the tech to make it feel and look like a rally course with data to back it up. The secret in-house course enabled Ford to keep cost and development time down while keeping the electric rally car under wraps.
Ford’s RallySport drive mode unlocks the full potential of the electric Rally car, enabling bigger slides, a more linear throttle response, and aggressive damping for better control.
The Mustang Mach-E Rally has 265 miles EPA estimated range with up to 480 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque. Charging from 10% to 80% is expected in 36.5 minutes. Ford’s new Mustang Mach-E electric Rally car is available for order starting at $59,995.
Are you ready to drive off in a new Ford Mustang Mach-E? You can use our link to view deals on the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E in your area.
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