The OVAR volumetric air receiver is a receiver designed for solar tower plants, based on floating ceramic cups made of sintered silicon carbide foam. Each module directly absorbs solar radiation, heating air to temperatures above 800 °C.  The modular and stacked design allows for free thermal expansion, avoids additional stresses, and locally adjusts the mass flow based on the irradiation map, ensuring uniform outlet temperatures, high efficiency, and long system life.

The receiver opens up new opportunities in advanced generation cycles, such as Brayton cycles or hybrids with storage, capable of exceeding 50% overall efficiency. It represents a competitive option for a market looking for high-temperature, durable and sustainable technologies.

The business model is aimed at licensing the technology to manufacturers of solar components, with options for collaboration in complete plant projects.

It is currently in the intermediate phase of experimental validation (TRL 4-5). Prototypes evaluated have achieved thermal efficiencies close to 80% and costs of around €70k/m², with forecasts of reduction of up to €40k/m² through improvements in materials and processes. The technology is protected by trade secrets with collaboration agreements with leading research centres in ceramic materials.
Link to relevant paper: Numerical and experimental evaluation and optimization of ceramic foam as solar absorber – Single-layer vs multi-layer configurations