Sophie
Efficient triple energy production through intelligent light splitting
The SOPHIE project makes solar energy significantly more efficient. A novel solar collector divides the light into different zones to simultaneously generate three things: green hydrogen, electricity, and heat. Previously, this typically required three separate devices and considerable space – SOPHIE combines everything into a single system. This saves valuable space and helps meet the high demand for clean hydrogen in industry and transportation. Together with partners, we are developing an initial prototype that demonstrates how we can harness the power of the sun even more comprehensively in the future.
The SOPHIE project is funded by the energy research program. BMIMI supported and through the FFG settled.
Project partners are AEE Institute for Sustainable Technologies, GREENoneTEC Solarindustrie GmbH, Sunplugged-Solare Energiesysteme GmbH, Spitzer Engineering, Energy Institute at the JKU Linz, CP i-Invest GmbH, Energie Steiermark AG, ECOTHERM Hot Water, Steam & Solar Systems, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria - Research & Development, TU Vienna
What you should know
The innovation
THE INNOVATIONS
Light distribution for increased performance
SOPHIE uses a special process (spectral splitting) that splits sunlight into different wavelengths to generate multiple forms of energy simultaneously.
Three-in-one collector
For the first time, hydrogen production, electricity generation (photovoltaics) and heat (solar thermal energy) are combined in a single compact system.
Efficient land use
Since one collector performs three tasks, significantly less space is required than with conventional systems – ideal for industry and limited areas.
Focus on green hydrogen
The system uses some of the light directly for the chemical production of hydrogen, one of the most important energy carriers of the future.
Intelligent heat management
The technology ensures that the generated heat is optimally dissipated and utilized, which increases the lifespan and performance of the entire system.
Sophie
Advantages
of innovation
We shape the future
Support from Next-Incubator
Energie Steiermark AG, with its next-incubator, is part of the SOPHIE consortium and contributes its expertise in the energy-economic evaluation and integration of innovative technologies.
Your tasks include, among other things:
- Classification of the multi-product collector in real energy systems
- Assessment of economic deployment potential
- Support for dissemination and market transfer
Energie Steiermark is thus making a significant contribution to the utilization and scalability of this new technology.
