Example engineering dissertation topic 2:

The effects of subsidies on concentrating solar power (CSP) plants in Spain: A case study

Concentrated solar power (CSP) is a technology gaining greater ground in the sustainable market. A significant advantage of CSP plants is the ability to store excess thermal energy for utilisation later. The system has received government attention in a number of countries, most particularly Spain and the US and consequently has been the subject of subsidised power programmes of price support and power purchase. However, the effects of the global financial crisis have led to drastic reductions in the subsidies Spain provides; what effect did the subsidies previously have, and what is the future of CSP in Spain? This study examines the present situation in Spain and offers a viewpoint on the practicality of this energy source in light of diminished public funding.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Usaola, J. (2012) ‘Operation of concentrating solar power plants with storage in spot electricity markets’. IET Renewable Power Generation, Vol. 6(1), pp. 59-66.
• Willeges, K., Lilliestam, J. and Patt, A. (2010) ‘Making concentrated solar power competitive with coal: The costs of a European feed-in tariff’, Energy Policy, Vol. 38(6), pp. 3089-3097.