This POC will prove that coalitional Model Predictive Control (Co-MPC) can be implemented on the existing distributed control system (DCS) of a real commercial solar trough plant (50MW) and can significantly increase the amount of solar energy collected and significantly reduce maintenance costs. This will be the first time that a Co-MPC is implemented in a real plant with so many dynamically interconnected subsystems (90). We have demonstrated that manipulating the loop HTF flows is fundamental for maximizing the collected solar energy in trough plants. The resulting MPC problem is too difficult to be solved with current control techniques because the number of dynamically coupled systems, up to 3200 collectors and 800 manipulated variables in the biggest solar trough plants and the complexity of the collector dynamics (nonlinear PDEs). The idea of Co-MPC is to divide the resulting complex MPC problem into several simpler MPC problems. Each of the MPC controls a coalition formed by a reduced number of subsystems. The coalitions are dynamically formed by clustering loops that can benefit from cooperation by exchanging the allocated oil flow (manipulated variable for each loop). This is done by using a market-based clustering MPC strategy in which controllers of collector loops (agents) may offer and demand heat transfer fluid in a market. Artificial neural networks will be used to approximate MPC controllers to decrease the computational load. We have shown that these techniques speed up the MPC computation time by a factor of 3000 allowing the implementation of coalitional MPC in the biggest solar trough plants. The PI has long experience in MPC control of solar energy systems and in the control of commercial solar trough plants having designed, implemented and commissioned MPC control systems for 17 commercial solar trough plants. A letter of support/intend of the industrial sponsor (one of the biggest stakeholders in Europe) is included.

STRATOLASER aims to strengthen the protection of EU space infrastructure by developing a breakthrough, cost-effective active debris removal system based on the de-orbiting of space debris ranging from a few centimeters to several tens of centimeters in size, using direct laser ablation technology fired from a stratospheric balloon. By eliminating atmospheric attenuation and scattering of the laser beam, the system drastically reduces the laser's power requirements, while offering a much lower cost, maintenance capacity, greater versatility, and wider orbital access compared to spaceborne solutions. This project will conduct the first experimental campaign to demonstrate proof-of-concept for stratospheric laser-ablative debris removal, achieving TRL 4 and establishing foundational technology. Using two stratospheric balloons—one with a debris fragment and the other with a small-scale pulsed laser and relay mirrors—experiments will monitor ablation under varied distances. Additional tests will involve laser scanning on orbital debris, focusing on signal return without reaching the ablation threshold due to power constraints. Complementary lab work will optimize the laser for stratospheric conditions, enhance UV conversion, and explore scalability. Mission analysis will evaluate post-ablation trajectories, aiming for a €2.5K cost per debris object removed.