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Dr Manuel Blanco

Dr. Manuel Blanco
Adjunct
European Research Area Chair for the Eastern Mediterranean
Vice-Chair of the IEA SolarPACES TCP
PhD. Applied Physics, Dr. Industrial Engineering

Energy, Environment and Water Research Center (EEWRC)
The Cyprus Institute
P.O. Box 27456, 1645 Nicosia, Cyprus

+357 22208657

» read more about Dr Manuel Blanco

Prof Manuel Blanco has more than thirty years of experience as a solar researcher and engineer, contributing to advancing the state-of the-art of Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST) technologies. He is an expert on Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Optics, and Modelling of Energy Systems. He holds a Doctoral Degree in Industrial Engineering for the University of Seville (Spain) and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Applied Physics for the University of Massachusetts – Lovell, (USA).

Since September 2016, he is Full Professor and European Research Area (ERA) Chair in Solar Thermal Technologies for the Eastern Mediterranean of the Energy Division of the Cyprus Institute’s Energy, Environment and Water Research Centre (EEWRC) - one of the few selected ERA Chairs awarded by the European Commission across Europe.  

He is currently Vice-Chair of SolarPACES, the Technology Collaboration Programme of the International Energy Agency responsible for promoting the development and deployment of solar thermal power technologies and the solar-assisted manufacture of fuels and chemicals, and was Chair of SolarPACES from September 2011 to September 2017.

Until August 2016, he was Science Leader of the Solar Energy Systems Research Group of CSIRO - Australia’s National Research Agency, and Director of the Australian Solar Thermal Research Initiative (ASTRI), an eight-year eighty seven million dollars research program targeted to increase the cost-competitiveness of CST technologies and enhance the international positioning of Australia in these technologies. In addition to CSIRO, the development of ASTRI involves six Australian universities and the collaboration of several US National Laboratories and universities.

He is former Director of the Solar Thermal Energy Department of the National Renewable Energy Centre of Spain (CENER); Chair and Full Professor of the Engineering Department of the University of Texas at Brownsville; and Director of the Plataforma Solar de Almería of CIEMAT, the world’s largest solar research infrastructure.

He participated in the studies and in the decision-making process that culminated in the regulation of the Feed-In-Tariffs for renewable energy technologies in Spain, and participated as a consultant for the World Bank in Feed-In-Tariff and in studies of the economic impact of CST technologies in India. He has also participated in over 23 techno-economic feasibility studies of CST power plant projects in Spain and directed a detailed feasibility study of a 200 MW CST power plant in Botswana sponsored by the World Bank.

He is the author of numerous scientific publications, and participates, in a senior capacity, in a large number of national and international expert groups and committees. Very recently one of the editors and authors of the book: Advances in Concentrating Solar Thermal Research and Technology (Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy) 1st Edition.

 

Concentrating Solar Power, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Optics, Modelling of Energy Systems.
 

 

Journal articles (peer reviewed)

  1. Fernández-Peruchena C.M., Gastón M., Sánchez, M., García-Barberena, J., Blanco M., Bernardos A., “MUS: A multiscale stochastic model for generating plausible meteorological years designed for multiyear solar energy yield simulations”, Solar Energy. Vol. 120, October 2015. Elsevier Science Ltd. Pages 244-256.
  2. Fernández-Peruchena C.M., Blanco M., Gastón M., Bernardos A., “Increasing the temporal resolution of direct normal solar irradiance series in different climatic zones”, Solar Energy. Vol. 115, May 2015. Elsevier Science Ltd. Pages 255-263.
  3. Fernández-Peruchena C.M., Blanco M., Bernardos A., “Increasing the temporal resolution of Direct Normal Solar Irradiance series in a desert location”, Energy Procedia 69, May 2015, Pages 1981-1988. Proceedings of the SolarPACES 2014 International Conference. Beijing, September 16-19, 2014.
  4. Fernández-Peruchena C.M., Blanco M., Bernardos A., “Generation of Series of High Frequency DNI Years Consistent with Annual and Monthly Long-term Averages using Measured DNI Data”, Energy Procedia 49, 2014, Page 2321-2329. Proceedings of the SolarPACES 2013 International Conference. Las Vegas, September 17-20, 2013.
  5. García-Barberena J., Garcia P., Sanchez M., Blanco M., Lasheras C., Padrós A., Arraiza J. Analysis of the influence of operational strategies in plant performance using SIMULCET, simulation software for parabolic trough power plants. Solar Energy, Vol. 86, Num. 1, January, 2012. Elsevier Science Ltd. pp. 53-63.
  6. Blanco, M., Martin, J. G., Alarcón-Padilla, D. C. Theoretical efficiencies of angular-selective non-concentrating solar thermal systems. Solar Energy, Vol. 76, Num. 6. 2004.  Elsevier Science Ltd.  pp. 683-691.
  7. Blanco, M., Alarcón, D., López, T., Lara, M. Computing the Solar Vector, Solar Energy Vol. 70, No. 5, 2001.  Elsevier Science Ltd. pp. 431-441.
  8. Romero, M., Marcos, M.J., Téllez, F.M., Blanco, M., Fernández, V., Baonza, F. and Berger, S. Distributed Power from Solar Tower Systems: A MIUS Approach, Solar Energy, Vol. 67, 1999.  Elsevier Science Ltd. pp. 249-264.
  9. Ruiz, V., Blanco, M. and Silva M. Las centrales energéticas termosolares, Energía, no. 6, November/December 1999, pp. 47-55.
  10. Monterreal, R., Blanco, M., Alarcón, D. and Ballestrín, J. Caracterización del helióstato Colón-Solar, Energía, no. 6, November/December 1999, pp. 80-87.
  11. De Lara, A., Corrochano, D., Ruiz, V., Blanco, M. and Silva, M. Integration of Solar Thermal Energy in a Conventional Power Plant: The Colon Solar Project, 9th International Symposium on Solar Thermal Concentrating Technologies, Odeillo – Font-Romeu (France), June 22 – 26, 1998 in Proceedings, Journal de Physique IV, Vol. 9(3), 1999, pp.189-194.
  12. Gómez, C. and Blanco, M. Estimación de la Atmósfera Estándar de Radiación Solar a partir del Concepto de Día Claro Envolvente; Aplicación a la Plataforma Solar de Almería, Era Solar, no. 40, January-February, 1990. pp. 11-14.

Books and book chapters

  1. M. Blanco and L. Ramirez, Editors of the book “Advances in Concentrating Solar Thermal Research and Technology” 1st Edition. Woodhead Publishing. 18 November, 2016. eBook ISBN: 9780081005170. Hardcover ISBN: 9780081005163. 494 pages.
  2. Hennecke, K., Hoffschmidt, B., Meinecke, W., Blanco, A. Solar Process Heat, Chapter 10 of the book “The Future for Renewable Energy 2. Prospects and Directions”. EUREC Agency.  James & James (Science Publishers) Ltd. London. 2002. ISBN: 1 902916 31 X.  pp. 222-230.
  3. Becker, M., Meinecke, W., Geyer, M., Trieb, F., Blanco, M., Romero, M., Ferrière, A. Solar Thermal Power Plants, Chapter 5 of the book “The Future for Renewable Energy 2. Prospects and Directions”. EUREC Agency.  James & James (Science Publishers) Ltd. London. 2002. ISBN: 1 902916 31 X.  pp. 115-137.
  4. Romero, M, Zarza, E. and Blanco, M. Centrales Eléctricas Termosolares, Chapter 14 of the book “Tecnologías energéticas e impacto ambiental”.  McGraw-Hill Profesional, 2001. ISBN: 84-481-3360-9.  pp. 259-282.
  5. Blanco, M. Plataforma Solar de Almería. Annual Technical Report 1998. (ed.) Almería, August 1999. ISBN: 238-99-027-0.
  6. Rojo, J.A., Mencía, F., Abellán, E., Aracil, J., Aranda, P., Arbona, P., Barragán, J.A., Benjumea, F., Blanco, M, et alter. Andalucía una sociedad tecnológicamente avanzada, in Foro Andalucía en el Nuevo Siglo, Pascual A. (Editor).  President Office of the Andalusian Government, Seville, February, 1999. ISBN: 84‑87004‑53‑9, pp. 285 – 334.
  7. Blanco, M., López, A. and Milow, B. Plataforma Solar de Almería. Annual Technical Report 1996. (ed.) Almería, June 1997. ISBN: 84-7834-316-4.
  8. Ruiz, V. and Blanco, M. Energías Renovables, Andalucía: innovación tecnológica y desarrollo económico, ed., M. Castells, P. Hall, et al. Biblioteca de Economía. Serie Manuales. Editorial Espasa Calpe. Madrid 1992. ISBN 84-239-6321-7 (O.C.). pp. 683‑710.
  9. Martín, J.G. and Blanco, M. Radiation Heat Transfer, in. Handbook of Applied Thermal Design, Guyer, G. (ed.), McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1988.  ISBN 0-07-025353-6. pp. 1-85 – 1-102.
  10. Blanco, M. Heliostat Selection for Certain Peak / Power Levels, The IEA / SSPS High Flux Experiment. Testing the Advanced Sodium Receiver at Heat Fluxes up to 2.5 MW / m2, Schiel, W., Geyer, M. and Carmona, R. (ed.). Springer-Verlag, New York Heidelberg Berlin, 1987. ISBN 0-387-18224-1. pp. 49‑55.
  11. Blanco, M., Carmona, R. and Silva, M. Determination of Feasible Peak and Power Levels, The IEA / SSPS High Flux Experiment. Testing the Advanced Sodium Receiver at Heat Fluxes up to 2.5 MW/m2. Shiel, W., Geyer, M. and Carmona, R. (ed.), Springer-Verlag, New York Heidelberg Berlin, 1987. ISBN 0-387-18224-1. pp.56‑65.
  12. Blanco, M. and Silva, M. Evaluation and Qualification of the HFD Bar, The IEA / SSPS High Flux Experiment. Testing the Advanced Sodium Receiver at Heat Fluxes up to 2.5 MW / m2, Shiel, W., Geyer, M. and Carmona, R. (ed.). Springer-Verlag, New York Heidelberg Berlin, 1987. ISBN 0-387-18224-1. pp. 66-71.
  13. Gregory, N., Wattiez, P. and Blanco, M., Plant History and Operation: 1981 – 1984, The IEA / SSPS Solar Thermal Power Plants - Facts and Figures - Final Report of the International Test and Evaluation Team (ITET). (ed.) Kesselring, P. and Selvage, C. S., Springer-Verlag New York Heidelberg Berlin Tokyo. 1986 ISBN 0-387-16148-1. pp. 3.1-1 – 3.1-33.
  14. Benedetti, A. de and Blanco, M. ASR Performances: Comparison with Simulation, The IEA / SSPS Solar Thermal Power Plants - Facts and Figures - Final Report of the International Test and Evaluation Team (ITET). (ed.). P. Kesselrin and C. S. Selvage Springer-Verlag New York Heidelberg Berlin Tokyo. 1986 ISBN 0-387-16148-1. pp. 5.7-1 – 5.7-37.
  15. Sánchez, M. and Blanco, M. Tracking: Control of Incident Power at Receiver, The IEA / SSPS Solar Thermal Power Plants - Facts and Figures - Final Report of the International Test and Evaluation Team (ITET). (ed.) Kesselring, P. and Selvage, C. S., Springer-Verlag, New York Heidelberg Berlin Tokyo, 1986 ISBN 0-387-16148-1.

Conference Proceedings (peer reviewed)

  1. Blanco M., Sánchez M., García-Barberena J., Monreal A., “The Potential for Cost Reduction of Solar Towers with Decoupled Combined Cycles”, SolarPACES International Conference 2012. Marrakech, Morocco, September 11-14, 2012.
  2. Gastón M., Pagola I., Blanco M., “A New Approach for Creating Solar Radiation Maps Combining Numerical Weather Prediction Models, Ground Measurement and Satellite Images Using Learning Machines”, SolarPACES International Conference 2012. Marrakech, Morocco, September 11-14, 2012.
  3. Blanco M., Mutuberria A., Monreal A., Albert R. “Results of the Empirical Validation of Tonatiuh at Mini-Pegase CNRS-PROMES Facility” Proceedings. 17th SolarPACES International Conference, Granada, Spain. September 20–23, 2011.
  4. Eck M., Barroso H., Blanco M., et al. “guiSmo: Guidelines for CSP performance modeling – Present status of the SolarPACES Task-1 project.” Proceedings. 17th SolarPACES Internacional Conference, Granada, Spain. September 20–23, 2011.
  5. Hirsch, T., Eck., Blanco M., et al., “Standardization of CSP performance model projection – Latest results from the Guismo project”, ASME 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability. Washington, DC., August 07-10, 2011.
  6. Blanco M., Mutuberria A., Martinez D., “Experimental validation of Tonatiuh using the Plataforma Solar de Almería secondary concentrator test campaign data”, SolarPACES 2010, September 21-24, 2010.
  7. Fernández-Peruchena C., Ramírez L., Blanco M., Bernardos A., “Variability in global and direct irradiation series generation: scope and limitations”, SolarPACES 2010, September 21-24, 2010.
  8. Fernández-Peruchena C., Blanco M., Ramírez L., Bernardos A., “Synthetic generation of monthly irradiation series from long term values of monthly KT”, SolarPACES 2010, September 21-24, 2010.
  9. Pagola I., Salbidegoitia I., Ramírez L., Blanco M., “Comparison of measured and estimated linke turbidity factors in Spain”, SolarPACES 2010, September 21-24, 2010.
  10. Garcia P., Sánchez M., Blanco M., Valenzuela L., “Validation of a dynamic model for direct steam generation in parabolic troughs using data from the diss installation”, SolarPACES 2010, September 21-24, 2010.
  11. Blanco M., Mutuberria A., Garcia P., Gastesi R., Martin V., “Preliminary validation of Tonatiuh”, Symposium SolarPACES 2009, September 15-18, 2009.
  12. Sánchez M., Pérez I., Mutuberria A., Blanco M., Villasantes C., Gutiérrez A., “Characterization of solar collector for electricity production by software enhanced lasertracking techniques”. Symposium SolarPACES 2009, September 15-18, 2009.
  13. Gastesi R., Bernad, I. Olano, X. Ramírez L., Blanco M., “The radiometric station of CENER (Pamplona, Spain). BSRN Station”, Symposium SolarPACES 2009, September 15-18, 2009.
  14. García-Barberena J., Garcia P., Sánchez M., Blanco M., Lasheras C., Padrós A., Arraiza J., “Analysis of the influence of operational strategies in plant performance using SIMUCET©, a simulation software for parabolic trough power plants”, Symposium SolarPACES 2009, September 15-18, 2009.
  15. Garcia P., Mutuberria A., García-Barberena J., Sánchez M., Blanco M., Lasheras C., Padrós A., Arraiza J., “Validation of DINACET computational scheme using Nevada solar one power plant data”, Symposium SolarPACES 2009, September 15-18, 2009.
  16. Gastón M., Lorenz E., Lozano S., Heienmann D., Blanco M., Ramírez L., “Comparison of global irradiance forecasting approaches”, Symposium SolarPACES 2009, September 15-18, 2009.
  17. Blanco, M. Amieva, J. Mancillas, A. “The Tonatiuh Software Development Project: An Open Source Approach to the Simulation of Solar Concentrating Systems”. Proceedings of the 2005 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Orlando, Florida. November 5-11, 2005.
  18. Blanco, M., Amieva, J., Mancillas, A. Design Principles of Tonatiuh, an Open Source Computer Program for the Design and Analysis of Solar Concentrating Systems. Proceedings of the International Conference on Solar Concentrators for the Generation of Electricity or Hydrogen. Scottsdale, Arizona, May 1-5, 2005.
  19. Blanco, M. Overview of the Tonatiuh software development effort. Seventh Annual Program Review Meeting and “KICK OFF” of the DOE-NREL Minority University Research Associates (MURA) Program for Solar Technology. Florida Solar Energy Center. Cocoa. Florida. August 11-13, 2004.
  20. Blanco, M., Berg, W. M., Urbani, F. Wireless solar radiation and meteorological instrument for K-12 Technology Education. Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition. Session 2359. pp. 1-8.
  21. Quaschning, V.; Blanco, M.: Solar Power - Photovoltaic or Solar Thermal Power? VGB Congress Power Plants 2001. Brussels, 10-12 October 2001. pp. 1‑8.
  22. Blanco, M. and Alarcón, D.: EnerTracer: A New Computer Tool for Energy Analysis of Concentrating Systems, 10th International Symposium on Solar Thermal Concentrating Technologies, Sydney (Australia), March 8– 10, 2000. pp. 87‑93.
  23. Osuna, R., Fernández, V., Romero, M., Blanco M.: PS10: A 10 MW Solar Tower Power Plant for Southern Spain, 10th International Symposium on Solar Thermal Concentrating Technologies, Sydney (Australia), March 8– 10, 2000. pp. 13‑18.
  24. Romero, M., Marcos, M.J., Téllez, F.M., Blanco, M., Fernández, V., Baonza, F. and Berger, S. Distributed Power from Solar Tower Systems: A MIUS Approach, in Proceedings of the 1999 ISES Solar World Congress, Jerusalem, July 4-9, 1999.
  25. Pérez, M., Batlles, J., de las Nieves, F. and Blanco, M. Educational Activities of the University of Almería in the Field of Solar Energy, Proceedings, 2nd ISES Europe Solar Congress “EuroSun 98”, 1998, pp. I.2.12 - I.2.12-4.
  26. Geyer, M. and Blanco, M. Mediterranean Technology Transfer and Solar Business Opportunities at the Plataforma Solar de Almería, ISES 1997 Solar World Congress. Taejon, Korea. August 24 – 29, 1997, pp. 617 – 618.
  27. Blanco, M., Ruiz, V., Lara, A. de, Martín, J.G. SOLGAS European Initiatives, 8th International Symposium on Solar Thermal Concentrating Technologies, Cologne (Germany) October 6 – 11, 1996, in Proceedings, vol. 1 (eds.) Becker, M. and Böhmer, M., C.F. Müller Verlag Heidelberg, 1997. ISBN: 3‑7880‑7616‑X. pp. 299‑313.
  28. Zarza, E., Blanco, M. Advanced M.E.D Solar Desalination Plant Seven Years of Experience at the Plataforma Solar de Almería, in Proceedings of the Mediterranean Conference on Renewable Energy Sources for Water Production. Santorini, Greece, June 10-12, 1996, pp. 45 - 49.
  29. Blanco, M. and Ruiz, V. RENA-CT94-0043: Sol-Gas - Hybrid Combined Cycle Cogeneration Plant Based on Central Receiver Technology. Status Report. European Conference on Renewable Energy Development, Venice, November 22 ‑ 25, 1995. pp. 255-260.
  30. Blanco, M., Ruiz, V. and Martín, J. The SOLGAS Cogeneration Project: A Paradigm Shift for the Solar Thermal Industry, 7th International Symposium on Solar Thermal Concentrating Technologies, Moscow, IVTAN, September 26 ‑ 30, 1994. pp. 379‑388.
  31. Blanco, M. and Martín, J. An Inquiry Concerning the Concentration of Sunlight and High Temperature Applications, 7th International Symposium on Solar Thermal Concentrating Technologies, Moscow, September 26 – 30, 1994. pp. 730‑741.
  32. Blanco M. and Martín, J.G. Secondary Concentrators for a Central Receiver System, International Solar Energy Society World Congress, 1987. Advances in Solar Energy Technology. Hamburg (Germany). September 1987.
  33. Blanco, M. Heliostat Selection code to Obtain Certain Peak Power Level (An Artificial Intelligence Approach), Proceedings of the Third International Workshop on Solar Thermal Receiver Systems, vol. 1: Design, Construction and Operation, Springer-Verlag, New York Heidelberg Berlin, Constanz, June, 1986. ISBN 0-387-17052-9. pp. 213‑219.
  34. Blanco M. and Silva, M. Evaluation and Qualification of the HFD Bar Meaurements During the ASR High Flux Experiment, Proceedings of the Third International Workshop on Solar Thermal Receiver Systems, vol 1: Design, Construction and Operation. Springer-Verlag New York Heidelberg Berlin, Constanz, Junio 1986, ISBN 0-387-17052-9. pp. 409‑422.
  35. Blanco, M. and Sánchez, M., Control of the Power Sent to the Receiver, XXXIII Congreso de COMPLES. La Energía Solar en la Cooperación Norte-Sur. (ed.). Ruiz, V. and García, M., Sevilla, April 1985. pp. 539 – 544.

The University of Texas at Browsnville (UTB)

Period

Department

Faculty rank

Position

08/26/06 - 26/10/06

Engineering

Full-Professor

Department Chair

01/01/05 – 08/25/06

Associate Professor

01/01/03 – 12/31/05

Engineering Technology

Associate Professor

Department Chair

09/01/02 – 12/31/02

Faculty member

Other Academic Experience

  1. July 10 – August 9, 2012. International Scholar. Invited by the University of Colorado at Boulder and the College of Engineering & Applied Science to teach ECEN 5007 - Solar Thermal Power Plants offered through the electrical engineering department.
  2. July – August 2011. International Scholar. Invited by the University of Colorado at Boulder and the College of Engineering & Applied Science to teach ECEN 5007/GEEN 4830- Solar Thermal Power Plants offered through the electrical engineering department.
  3. September, 1985 – November, 1986. Teaching Assistant of the Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering and Research Assistance of the Centre for Productivity Enhancement of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.
  4. September, 1982 – August, 1983, Research Assistant, Department of Energy Engineering, University of Seville (Spain).​

Special Appointments

  1. Chair of the Executive Committee of SolarPACES, the Implementing Agreements the International Energy Agency devote to foster the development and market penetration of Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems. Period: September 2011 – to date.
  2. Convener of the Renewable Energy Sources Group of the European Union (EU) – Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Clean Energy Network. The goal of this EU-GCC network is to improve the relations between the EU and GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arabs Emirates) through the development of structures and instruments suitable for cooperative activities of mutual interest in the field of clean energy technologies. Period: 2010 – to date.
  3. Member of the Scientific and Technical Committee of ESTELA, the European Solar Thermal Industry Association. Period: 2010 – to date.
  4. Consultant to the European Commission Directorate-General for Research to act as external reviewer in the SFERA Mid-term review. The SFERA research project, partially funded by the European Commission, is a project designed “to boost scientific collaboration among the leading European research institutions in solar concentrating systems, offering European research and industry access to the best research and test infrastructures and creating a virtual European laboratory”. Period: September – November 2011.
  5. Member of the Advisory Committee of the Spanish Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSTP) Technology Platform “SOLAR CONCENTRA” and Coordinator of the R&D Working Group. This technology platform provides a framework for the Spanish CSTP stakeholders, led by industry and key technological research centers, to define research priorities and action plans. Period: 2011 – 2012.
  6. Research Evaluator of The Research Promotion Foundation (RPF) of Cyprus (founded by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to promote research and innovation activities in the country) under the umbrella of the RPF’s Framework Program for Research, Technological Development and Innovation to assist in the evaluation of research proposals. Period: 2010.
  7. Member of the Panel of Experts in charge of reviewing the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program, Period: March 9 – 10, 2009.
  8. Alternate Representative of the Government of Spain on the Executive Committee of the International Energy Agency Implementing Agreement on Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES. Period: 1998 – 2001.
  9. Executive Secretary of the International Energy Agency Implementing Agreement on Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES. Period: 2000 – 2001.
  10. Task 3.2 Sector Leader “Supporting Tools and Test Facilities” of the International Energy Agency Implementing Agreement on Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES. Period: 1998 – 2000.
  11. Field of Solar Thermal Research, covering in particular the long-term Utilization of the Plataforma Solar de Almería”. Period: 1997 – 2002.
  12. Member of the Technology Commission of the President of the Andalusian Government Special Task Force “Andalusia on the New Century”. July 15, 1998 – February 26, 1999.

 

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