Coal Zero by Green Steam is an industrial decarbonization project demonstrating how solar thermal energy, thermal storage, heat pumps and mechanical vapor compression can work together to provide reliable process steam without coal combustion. The first demonstration is being implemented in the Western Cape, South Africa, with the aim of creating a scalable solution for the food and beverage industry and other energy-intensive sectors.
The system is designed to deliver continuous saturated steam at 178°C, combining the Absolicon T160 Solar collector with phase change material (PCM) thermal storage, heat recovery, mechanical vapor compression and digital monitoring and control. The demonstration will provide operational data and experience that can support future replication in South Africa and other industrial markets.
Project overview
| Project period | March 2026 – August 2027 |
|---|---|
| Project status | Ongoing |
| Funding | The project is funded through the Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility which is managed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with funding from the UK Government. |
| Project coordinator | Thermoelectric Conversion Systems Ltd (TCS), United Kingdom |
| Absolicon’s role | Supply of a 1.4 MW, approximately 2,000 m² solar thermal collector field using Absolicon T160 Solar collectors, together with engineering support for integration of the solar thermal system. |
Background and challenge
Industrial process steam remains heavily dependent on coal in parts of South Africa. In the food and beverage sector, existing coal-fired boilers can combine relatively low efficiency with high operating costs, energy supply risks and significant emissions.
At the demonstration site in the Western Cape, Coal Zero by Green Steam will demonstrate an alternative approach capable of supplying industrial steam continuously. Rather than relying on a single technology, the project combines solar thermal energy with thermal storage, recovered heat, heat pump technology and mechanical vapor recompression.
The complete system is designed to deliver one ton of saturated steam per hour at 178°C, while integrating with the site’s existing steam infrastructure. Digital control, SCADA and remote monitoring will be used to optimize the different energy sources and verify system performance.
An important objective of the project is to demonstrate not only the technical performance of the system, but also a commercially scalable model that can be replicated at other industrial sites.
Absolicon’s contribution
Absolicon is responsible for supplying the solar thermal part of the system. The project includes a 1.4 MW solar collector field of approximately 2,000 m², using the Absolicon T160 Solar collector.
The solar collectors provide renewable thermal energy to the integrated steam system, where the heat is combined with PCM thermal storage and other energy technologies to enable continuous steam production.
Absolicon will also contribute engineering expertise for the layout and integration of the solar collector field and support the connection between the solar thermal system and the wider clean-steam installation. The project documentation also identifies Absolicon as a contributor to installation, commissioning and knowledge transfer associated with the solar field. The budgeted value of Absolicon’s delivery is approximately SEK 9 million, covering the solar collector field and associated work.
Expected results and impact
The demonstration system is designed for continuous operation and is expected to produce approximately 8,760 tonnes of steam per year.
Based on the project calculations, the installation is expected to contribute to:
- Approximately 1,020 tonnes of coal avoided per year.
- Approximately 2,754 tonnes of CO₂e emissions avoided per year.
- Continuous production of industrial steam at 178°C.
- Demonstration of a modular clean-steam system that can be integrated with existing industrial steam infrastructure.
- Validation of solar thermal energy combined with PCM storage, heat recovery, heat pumps and mechanical vapor compression.
- Demonstration of a Heat/Steam-as-a-Service business model that can reduce the need for industrial customers to make the full upfront investment.
- Generation of operational and performance data that can support replication at additional industrial sites.
- Development of local skills, training and capacity for sustainable industrial heat in South Africa.
The project is intended to become a reference installation for further deployment of renewable industrial steam solutions in South Africa and other emerging markets.
Funding
The project is funded through the Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility which is managed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with funding from the UK Government.
For Absolicon, the project includes a solar thermal delivery with a budgeted value of approximately SEK 9 million.
News, results and resources
Coal Zero by Green Steam | Project website >>
Absolicon | UNIDO grants Absolicon SEK 9 million for solar thermal installation in South Africa >>
This work was supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) through the Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility with funding from the UK Government. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of UNIDO, its Member States, its funders or its partners.
