Evaluating the impact of carbon reduction credits on the techno-economic feasibility of high-temperature particle receiver technology for sustainable industrial heat applications

Decarbonizing high-temperature industrial processes, such as steel and cement production, remains a significant challenge due to their substantial heat demands. Particle receiver technology offers a novel approach by utilizing solar energy to deliver process heat at temperatures exceeding 1000°C, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. However, its large-scale adoption hinges on economic feasibility, which has been insufficiently explored in previous studies. This study uniquely assesses the techno-economic viability of a 100 MW high-temperature particle receiver system for industrial applications, incorporating the impact of varying carbon reduction credit rates—an aspect not extensively analyzed in existing literature. Results indicate that the system could offset 612,272 tons of CO₂ annually, supporting the EU-2050 net-zero target. The findings demonstrate that integrating carbon credit mechanisms can significantly enhance economic viability, providing a policy pathway for accelerating the adoption of high-temperature solar technologies in heavy industries.