15th World Conference on Thermophotovoltaic Generation of Electricity
10/01/2024 09:00
ETS de Ingenieros de Telecomunicación
Organized by Instituto de Energía Solar - Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
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The World Conference on Thermophotovoltaic Generation of Electricity stands as the premier international event for the discussion and advancement of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) technology. This conference series has been a significant gathering since its inception in 1994, marked by the inaugural TPV conference hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Copper Mountain, Colorado.
Historically, the conferences were conducted in person, primarily in the USA and Europe. However, a significant shift occurred in 2014 when the last onsite TPV conference (TPV-11) was held in Amsterdam.
After a decade of virtual gatherings, the 15th edition of the conference (TPV-15) is slated to return to an onsite format in Madrid, Spain. The return to an onsite format provides an ideal opportunity to celebrate the remarkable 30-year history of the TPV conference series.
Over the past three decades, TPV technology has undergone significant progress, evolving from early challenges such as the absence of efficient III-V semiconductors to the recent development of devices achieving record efficiencies exceeding 40%. The evolution of TPV technology into the most efficient solid-state heat engine has opened up a diverse array of applications across multiple markets. Notably, TPV technology is making significant strides in fields such as waste heat recovery, portable power generators, and energy storage.
The application of TPV technology in high-temperature thermal batteries is particularly noteworthy. These batteries are designed to facilitate very low-cost energy storage for long-duration grid-scale and/or combined heat and power generation. The growing interest in thermal batteries is generating a renewed focus on TPV technology, considering its potential to directly convert the extreme temperature heat stored in these batteries into electricity.
The synergy between TPV technology and high-temperature thermal batteries is a key reason for hosting the TPV-15 conference alongside the 2nd Ultra High Temperature Thermal Energy Storage (UHTES) Workshop. This joint event, co-organized under the EU-funded SUNSON project, aims to foster a deeper understanding, share insights, and explore advancements in both fields. This collaborative initiative reflects a strategic effort to harness collective knowledge and expertise, driving innovations that can shape the future of sustainable energy solutions.