SUN-DT project targets digital transformation of CSP plants – Innovation News Network

Project Report: The SUN-DT Initiative for Digitalising Concentrated Solar Power

Introduction and Strategic Context

The SUN-DT project, a major European initiative supported by Horizon Europe, commenced in October 2025. Coordinated by Spain’s National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER) and involving a consortium of nine international organisations, the project is designed to spearhead the digital transformation of tower-based Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems. The initiative aims to modernise CSP plant operations to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and solidify Europe’s leadership in next-generation renewable energy technologies, in alignment with the EU’s Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The SUN-DT project is fundamentally aligned with several key UN Sustainable Development Goals, leveraging technological innovation to foster a sustainable and equitable energy future.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The project directly addresses SDG 7 by developing digital tools to improve the operational efficiency and reliability of CSP plants. By reducing optical losses and lowering maintenance costs, the initiative seeks to make solar thermal energy more cost-competitive and accessible, accelerating the transition to clean energy sources.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

SUN-DT embodies the principles of SDG 9 by building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation. The development of a sophisticated digital toolkit, including AI, 5G communication layers, and digital twins, represents a significant technological advancement for the renewable energy industry.

SDG 13: Climate Action

By enhancing the performance and global competitiveness of a large-scale renewable energy technology, the project contributes directly to SDG 13. More efficient and reliable CSP plants can displace fossil fuel-based power generation, supporting urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The collaborative structure of the SUN-DT project, uniting nine international organisations from academia and industry, exemplifies the spirit of SDG 17. This global partnership is essential for mobilising the knowledge, expertise, and technology required to achieve sustainable development objectives.

Technological Innovations and Project Objectives

The SUN-DT Digital Toolkit

At the core of the project is the development of a unified suite of interoperable digital tools designed to modernise every aspect of tower CSP operations. This integrated platform will provide:

• Automated heliostat calibration software for real-time optical efficiency improvements.
• A digital twin of the plant for advanced simulation and real-time decision-making.
• An energy-dispatch optimisation engine to enhance grid integration.
• Predictive maintenance capabilities to minimise downtime and operational costs.

Advanced Communication Infrastructure

A critical objective is the development of a 5G-enabled communication layer, led by IMDEA Networks. This wireless infrastructure is essential for managing the vast and complex heliostat fields of modern CSP plants. Key functions include:

1. Enabling high-capacity data transmission across large solar fields.
2. Facilitating real-time monitoring of individual heliostat performance.
3. Supporting rapid feedback loops for instantaneous correction of mirror misalignments.

Validation and Projected Outcomes

Global Demonstration and Testing

To ensure the viability and effectiveness of its innovations, the SUN-DT toolkit will undergo rigorous validation at four distinct locations, representing different design configurations and operating environments:

• Two experimental research facilities.
• Khi Solar One, a commercial tower plant in South Africa.
• Cerro Dominador, a commercial tower plant in Chile.

Expected Impacts on the Renewable Energy Sector

The successful implementation of the SUN-DT project is expected to deliver significant advancements for the CSP industry. The primary outcomes include a marked improvement in plant performance, a reduction in operational and maintenance expenditures, and an increase in the overall competitiveness of solar thermal energy. By enabling CSP plants to participate more actively in grid-support services, the project will also contribute to the stability and sustainability of energy systems, furthering the goals of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the SUN-DT project, which aims to modernize concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, is connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: This is the primary SDG addressed. The entire initiative is focused on improving a renewable energy technology (CSP) to make it more efficient, reliable, and cost-competitive, thereby promoting clean energy.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The project is a clear example of investing in innovation and upgrading infrastructure. It uses cutting-edge digital technologies like AI, 5G, and digital twins to modernize energy infrastructure (the CSP plants).
• SDG 13: Climate Action: By enhancing the viability and competitiveness of solar power, a zero-emission energy source, the project directly contributes to climate change mitigation efforts. Making renewable energy more efficient is a key strategy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article highlights the collaborative nature of the project, which unites “nine international organisations under the coordination of Spain’s National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER).” It also involves testing in South Africa and Chile, demonstrating a partnership between European entities and other nations to achieve common goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s focus, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • The project’s goal to make “renewable solar thermal energy more competitive on a global scale” and “operate more efficiently and reliably” directly supports the expansion and increased adoption of renewable energy sources like CSP.
2. Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.
   • The project is a multi-partner international initiative (“uniting nine international organisations”) backed by Horizon Europe, explicitly fostering cooperation in clean energy research and technology.
3. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies…
   • The project’s core is the development of a “suite of interoperable digital tools” to “modernise every layer of tower CSP operations,” which constitutes a direct effort to upgrade energy infrastructure with clean and efficient technology.
4. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… encouraging innovation…
   • The SUN-DT project is a research and innovation initiative designed to “strengthen Europe’s technological leadership in renewable energy” by developing and applying advanced digital solutions.
5. Target 17.7: Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms…
   • The project validates its technology at commercial plants in South Africa (Khi Solar One) and Chile (Cerro Dominador), demonstrating the dissemination and real-world application of advanced European technology in other regions.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicator codes, but it implies several metrics that can be used to measure progress:

• Improved Operational Efficiency and Reduced Costs: The article repeatedly mentions goals like “improve solar-field performance,” “minimise downtime,” “lower operational and maintenance costs,” and “cutting overall costs.” These are direct, measurable indicators of progress towards making clean energy more affordable and competitive (SDG 7).
• Development and Deployment of Digital Tools: The creation and implementation of the “unified SUN-DT platform,” which includes “automated heliostat calibration software, a digital twin for real-time decision-making, an energy-dispatch optimisation engine and predictive maintenance capabilities,” serve as tangible indicators of technological upgrades and innovation (SDG 9).
• Formation of International Partnerships: The number of organizations involved (“nine international organisations”), the backing by a major funding program (“Horizon Europe”), and the collaboration with commercial plants in different continents (Europe, Africa, South America) are clear indicators of international cooperation for technology transfer (SDG 17).
• Performance Gains in Real-World Environments: The article states that the project will be validated at two commercial plants to demonstrate “performance gains in real-world environments.” The measured increase in efficiency and reliability at these sites would be a key indicator of the project’s success in advancing clean energy technology (SDG 7 and SDG 9).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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