Solar Thermochemical Fuels

This chapter gives a comprehensive overview of the basic principles of solar thermochemical processes and thermodynamics. Six main routes to solar thermochemical fuels can be distinguished. All processes use concentrated solar radiation to convert either water and carbon dioxide or carbonaceous feedstocks, such as natural gas, biomass, coal, or oil into solar fuels, where among the latter are hydrogen, syngas, or hydrocarbons. The ability of the solar reactor to convert concentrated solar energy into chemical energy stored in the product gases strongly influences the economic and environmental performance of the process. The goal of the introduction of solar thermochemical fuels into the transportation sector is to reduce its climate impact by reducing the net emission of greenhouse gases. The goal of a life-cycle analysis is the quantification of environmental impacts during all phases in the life of a product or process.