On November 6th, China Solar Thermal Alliance (referred to as: CSTA) organized the "2024 Senior Experts' Chat on Solar Thermal Utilization" at the director unit - the Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Wang Zhifeng, a researcher at the Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee of IEA SolarPACES, and Chairman of the Alliance, along with some senior experts in Beijing - Wang Bingzhong, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Zhu Junsheng, former Deputy Director of the Rural Energy Office of the Agricultural Bureau of the State Economic and Trade Commission, and former Deputy Director of the Energy Conservation and Comprehensive Utilization Department of the State Planning Commission, He Zian, a consultant at the Photothermal Research Office of the Beijing Solar Energy Research Institute, Li Xinan, Secretary-General of the Pilot Work Alliance Liaison Group of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Zheng Ruicheng, a researcher at the China Academy of Building Research, Han Jiangong, former director of the Beijing Solar Energy Research Institute, Li Baoshan, a special consultant of the Chinese Renewable Energy Society, Sun Rui, a senior consultant at China Electric Power Planning and Engineering Institute, and a national master of engineering survey and design, Xu Ershu, a researcher at North China Electric Power University, Ge Hongchuan, former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of "Solar Energy Journal", Zheng Hongfei, a professor at Beijing Institute of Technology (sorted by age) participated in the meeting.
Front row from left (post-80s): He Zian, Wang Bingzhong, Zhu Junsheng
Middle row from left (post-70s): Han Jiangong, Zheng Ruicheng, Li Xinan, Li Baoshan
Back row from left (post-60s): Wang Zhifeng, Ge Hongchuan, Xu Ershu, Sun Rui, Zheng Hongfei
The chat began in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, under the chairmanship of Chairman Wang Zhifeng, experts discussed the achievements and contributions of experts in the field of solar thermal utilization in various historical periods, as well as the development of technology, market, and policy.
Experts said that since the 1990s, the solar thermal utilization industry has undergone changes in meeting formats, international cooperation, and project cooperation. Technological progress has brought about changes in the development pattern of the industry, including the division of low, medium, and high temperature grades. Experts discussed the research results and applications of solar thermal utilization in construction, heat collection systems, seawater desalination, and other aspects, and also face technical challenges such as model complexity and the accuracy of prediction and forecasting.
In terms of CSP technology, the supercritical solar carbon dioxide experimental unit successfully generated electricity on May 28 this year, marking technological progress. China has formed a complete industrial chain from material supply to equipment manufacturing and engineering design integration, and CSP projects are advancing rapidly in the construction of wind and light new energy bases.
In terms of talent and scientific research environment, experts discussed the impact of policy changes on the working conditions of scientific researchers and the pressure on university teachers, the democratic and legal environment needed for scientific research, and the impact of international organizations on national economic policies.
For many years, CSTA has organized the Solar Thermal Utilization Senior Expert Symposium every year, to talk about the original intention, mission, and gather strength. In a relaxed and pleasant environment, it creates an opportunity for industry senior experts to meet old friends, aiming to promote exchanges among senior experts in the field of solar thermal utilization, share experience and wisdom, and also enhance friendship among each other. This year's chat is different from the past, with a strong atmosphere of the event, bringing a profound and heartwarming experience to the participating experts, and also allowing industry senior experts to see the Alliance's intention, heart, effort, care, and dedication to scientists. As Secretary-General Li Xinan said: "The activity I participated in today feels very good. The form of expert gathering designed by the Alliance is very special and meaningful, relaxing and releasing thoughts, equal exchange."
