Introduction

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is an advanced renewable energy technology that uses mirrors, lenses, or heliostat fields to concentrate direct solar radiation and convert it into high-temperature thermal energy for electricity generation and industrial applications. The technology is increasingly relevant to grid flexibility, renewable energy integration, long-duration energy storage, energy security, and low-carbon power generation. Current research is particularly focused on high-temperature Gen3 CSP, advanced molten-chloride salts, improved heat exchangers, and sCO₂ Brayton cycles.

Concentrated Solar Power Technologies Training Course develops practical and technical competence in the complete CSP value chain from solar resource assessment, optical concentration and collector design to thermal receivers, heat-transfer fluids, thermal energy storage, power blocks, plant control, performance optimization, techno-economic analysis, and project development. Participants will examine real-world CSP applications and case studies while exploring emerging opportunities in dispatchable solar power, hybrid renewable energy systems, industrial decarbonization, solar process heat, green hydrogen, solar thermal desalination, and high-temperature thermal storage. The course connects engineering theory with practical plant operation, project decision-making, and the latest technology pathways for achieving reliable, flexible, and low-carbon energy systems.

Programme Curriculum

Concentrated Solar Power Technologies Training Course

Introduction

Course Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

Explain CSP fundamentals and distinguish CSP from photovoltaic and other renewable-energy technologies.
Assess solar resource availability, including Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI), solar geometry, and site suitability.
Analyze parabolic trough, linear Fresnel, solar tower, and dish-Stirling CSP technologies.
Understand heliostat-field design, optical efficiency, tracking systems, and solar concentration.
Evaluate thermal receivers, heat-transfer fluids (HTFs), heat exchangers, and high-temperature materials.
Design and assess Thermal Energy Storage (TES) configurations, including two-tank molten-salt systems and emerging storage concepts.
Analyze molten-salt technology, high-temperature chloride salts, corrosion management, and next-generation storage.
Understand steam Rankine and supercritical CO₂ Brayton power cycles for CSP applications.
Apply energy, exergy, efficiency, and heat-balance analysis to CSP systems.
Evaluate CSP plant performance, reliability, dispatchability, capacity factor, and grid flexibility.
Conduct preliminary techno-economic, LCOE, CAPEX/OPEX, and lifecycle assessments of CSP projects.
Develop strategies for CSP integration with PV, batteries, green hydrogen, industrial heat, and renewable-energy hubs.
Evaluate emerging Gen3 CSP, advanced TES, digital optimization, AI-enabled controls, and decarbonization opportunities.

Target Audience

Renewable Energy Engineers and Solar Engineers
Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, and Energy Engineers
CSP Plant Operators and Maintenance Professionals
Energy Managers and Sustainability Professionals
Power-System Planners and Grid Integration Specialists
Project Developers, Investors, and Energy Consultants
Government, Utility, and Energy-Regulatory Professionals
Researchers, Academics, Lecturers, and Technical Students

Course Modules

Module 1: CSP Fundamentals and Solar Resource Assessment

CSP principles and energy-conversion pathways
Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI), solar geometry, and solar resource mapping
Solar concentration ratios and optical fundamentals
Site selection, land requirements, water availability, and environmental considerations
Case Study: Solar-resource assessment and preliminary site selection for a utility-scale CSP project

Module 2: CSP Collector and Concentrator Technologies

Parabolic trough collector design and operation
Linear Fresnel reflector technology and applications
Solar power tower/central receiver systems
Dish concentrators and advanced concentrating solar thermal systems
Optical efficiency, tracking, shading, blocking, and concentrator performance
Case Study: Comparison of a parabolic trough plant and solar tower plant under the same solar-resource conditions.

Module 3: Solar Receivers, Heat-Transfer Fluids and High-Temperature Systems

Solar receiver configurations and heat-transfer mechanisms
Synthetic oil, molten salt, water/steam, and advanced HTF technologies
High-temperature receiver materials and thermal losses
Heat exchangers and thermal-fluid management
Corrosion, degradation, safety, and reliability challenges
Case Study: Selection of an appropriate HTF and receiver configuration for a next-generation CSP plant.

Module 4: Thermal Energy Storage and Molten-Salt Technologies

Thermal Energy Storage (TES) fundamentals and sizing
Two-tank molten-salt storage systems
Sensible, latent, thermochemical, packed-bed, and advanced TES concepts
High-temperature molten-chloride salts and corrosion control
TES charging, discharging, round-trip performance, and dispatch optimization
Case Study: Designing a multi-hour molten-salt storage system to extend CSP generation beyond sunset.

Module 5: CSP Power Cycles and Power-Block Integration

Steam Rankine cycle for conventional CSP plants
Supercritical CO₂ (sCO₂) Brayton cycle fundamentals
Turbines, compressors, generators, condensers, and heat exchangers
Thermal-to-electric efficiency and exergy performance
Integration of high-temperature receivers, TES, and advanced power blocks
Case Study: Comparison of a conventional steam Rankine cycle with an advanced sCO₂ cycle for a solar-tower application.

Module 6: CSP Plant Design, Control, Operation and Performance Optimization

CSP plant configuration and major balance-of-plant systems
Energy and exergy analysis
Plant controls, forecasting, tracking, and automated operation
Performance indicators: efficiency, availability, capacity factor, and LCOE
Digitalization, predictive maintenance, AI-assisted optimization, and smart plant operation
Case Study: Optimizing CSP dispatch using solar forecasts, TES state-of-charge, electricity demand, and grid requirements.

Module 7: CSP Project Development, Economics and Renewable Integration

CSP feasibility studies and project-development lifecycle
CAPEX, OPEX, LCOE, financial modeling, and risk assessment
Grid integration and dispatchable renewable energy
CSP-PV, CSP-battery, and hybrid renewable-energy systems
Industrial process heat, desalination, green hydrogen, and decarbonization applications
Case Study: Development of a hybrid PV-CSP project designed to provide daytime solar electricity and evening dispatchable power.

Module 8: Advanced CSP, Emerging Technologies and Future Trends

Gen3 CSP and ultra-high-temperature solar thermal systems
Advanced molten salts and high-temperature TES
sCO₂ power conversion and advanced heat exchangers
CSP for industrial decarbonization, green hydrogen, desalination, and thermal applications
Future CSP markets, innovation pathways, digital twins, AI optimization, and commercialization
Case Study: Conceptual design of a next-generation CSP plant combining a high-temperature receiver, advanced molten-salt TES, and an sCO₂ Brayton power cycle.

Training Methodology

Interactive lectures and presentations.
Group discussions and brainstorming sessions.
Hands-on exercises using real-world datasets.
Role-playing and scenario-based simulations.
Analysis of case studies to bridge theory and practice.
Peer-to-peer learning and networking.
Expert-led Q&A sessions.
Continuous feedback and personalized guidance.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@fineskilltrainingcenter.org or call +254769199797

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to Fineskill Training Center account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.

Programme Fee

Duration: 5 Days

Method: Online or Physical

Online Price: $1,000

Physical Price: $1,500

Certification: Accredited Certificate

View Available Dates 📄 Download Course Outline (PDF)

Available Sessions

Location

Month

Year

Oct 19 2026

19 Oct — 23 Oct 2026

💻 Online / Virtual session

Online $1,000