Cheap, zero emission, secure energy for the world

The Australian Solar Thermal Research Initiative (ASTRI) is an $87 million, eight-year international collaboration with research institutions, industry bodies and universities transforming Australia into a global leader in concentrating solar thermal power technologies.

Lowering the cost of solar thermal power

Although solar thermal offers a number of benefits over other renewable energy technologies, it is yet to reach the cost levels of wind, hydro or photovoltaic power stations.

Creating a global research initiative

CSIRO is leading this global collaboration by partnering with six Australian universities and the United States’ Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Sandia National Laboratories and Arizona State University – with the goal of creating solar technology to supply cheap, zero-emission, secure energy for Australia, and the world.

Moving towards our goal

ASTRI is moving closer to its goal of lowering the cost of solar thermal power. To ensure rigour and consistency in ASTRI’s outputs our team are developing a set of relevant standardized measurements and models for Australian conditions enabling accurate and informed commercialization decisions to be made.

ASTRI features research nodes that are helping it to reach this goal and research programs supported by world-leading economic modelling, knowledge sharing and an education program. ASTRI is supported by the Australian Government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.