Associate Professor Joe Coventry

Associate Professor
ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science

Associate Professor Coventry is an engineer experienced in development and commercialisation of solar technologies. He presently leads heliostat cost down and receiver performance improvement projects for the Australian Solar Thermal Research Initiative (ASTRI) and prior, he was the Principal Engineer at Wizard Power, and led the engineering team and development of the Big Dish CSP technology since the company was established in 2005. Dr Coventry holds a BE/BSc from the University of Melbourne (1997), and a PhD from the Australian National University (2004).

Research interests

My expertise is in the field of concentrating solar thermal (CST) and thermal energy storage (TES). Present research aims are to advance knowledge and develop technologies with high impact on the competitiveness of CST and TES, to drive uptake and rapid decarbonisation in both power and heavy industrial sectors. Current research projects span the following topics:

  • Development of low-cost heliostat technologies
  • Sodium receiver technologies
  • Optical absorber coatings for CST
  • High temperature thermal energy storage
  • Hydrogen supply for industry

Groups

Projects

  • Li, L, Rahbari, A, Taheri, M et al. 2023, 'Experimental evaluation of an indirectly-irradiated packed-bed solar thermochemical reactor for calcination�carbonation chemical looping', Chemical Engineering Journal, vol. 468, pp. 1-14.
  • Lipinski, W, Abbasi Shavazi, E, Chen, J et al. 2021, 'Progress in heat transfer research for high-temperature solar thermal applications', Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 184.
  • Chen, J, Wheeler, V, Liu, B et al. 2021, 'Optical characterisation of alumina-mullite materials for solar particle receiver applications', Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, vol. 230, pp. 1-13.
  • Chen, J, Wheeler, V, Liu, B et al. 2021, 'Corrigendum to “Optical characterisation of alumina–mullite materials for solar particle receiver applicationsâ€?', Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, vol. 231.
  • Chen, J, Riaz, A, Taheri, M et al. 2021, 'Optical and radiative characterisation of alumina-silica based ceramic materials for high-temperature solar thermal applications', Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy & Radiative Transfer, vol. 272, pp. 1-11.
  • Emes, M, Jafari, A, Pfahl, A et al. 2021, 'A review of static and dynamic heliostat wind loads', Solar Energy, vol. 225, pp. 60-82.
  • Emes, M, Jafari, A, Coventry, J et al. 2020, 'The influence of atmospheric boundary layer turbulence on the design wind loads and cost of heliostats', Solar Energy, vol. 207, no. -, pp. 796-812.
  • Zheng, M, Zapata Fuentealba, J, Asselineau, C et al. 2020, 'Analysis of tubular receivers for concentrating solar tower systems with a range of working fluids, in exergy-optimised flow-path configurations', Solar Energy, vol. 211, pp. 999-1016.
  • Mohan, G, Brahmadesham Venkataraman, M & Coventry, J 2019, 'Sensible energy storage options for concentrating solar power plants operating above 600 degrees C', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 107, no. -, pp. 319-337.
  • Wang, Y, Coventry, J & Pye, J 2019, 'Optical and radiation considerations in bladed receiver designs for central tower systems', 24th SolarPACES International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2018, ed. C Richter, American Institute of Physics, TBC, pp. 1-10.
  • Rumsey-Hill, N, Pottas, J & Coventry, J 2019, 'Design of efficient stamped mirror facets using topography optimisation', 24th SolarPACES International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2018, ed. C Richter, American Institute of Physics, TBC, pp. 1-9.
  • Pye, J, Arjomandi, M, Coventry, J et al. 2019, 'Towards testing of a second-generation bladed receiver', 24th SolarPACES International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2018, ed. C Richter, American Institute of Physics, TBC, pp. 1-10.
  • Asselineau, C, Logie, W, Pye, J et al. 2018, 'Limits of the cylindrical absorber design for a sodium receiver', 23rd International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2017, ed. R Mancilla & C Richter, American Institute of Physics (AIP), TBC, pp. 9pp.
  • Mohan, G, Brahmadesham Venkataraman, M, Gomez-Vidal, J et al. 2018, 'Thermo-economic analysis of high-temperature sensible thermal storage with different ternary eutectic alkali and alkaline earth metal chlorides', Solar Energy, vol. 176, pp. 350-357.
  • Asselineau, C, Coventry, J & Pye, J 2018, 'Exergy analysis of the focal-plane flux distribution of solar-thermal concentrators', Applied Energy, vol. 222, pp. 1023-1032.
  • Logie, W, Pye, J & Coventry, J 2018, 'Thermoelastic stress in concentrating solar receiver tubes: A retrospect on stress analysis methodology, and comparison of salt and sodium', Solar Energy, vol. 160, pp. 368-379pp.
  • Mohan, G, Brahmadesham Venkataraman, M, Gomez-Vidal, J et al. 2018, 'Assessment of a novel ternary eutectic chloride salt for next generation high-temperature sensible heat storage', Energy Conversion and Management, vol. 167, pp. 156-164pp.
  • Niedermeier, K, Marocco, L, Flesch, J et al. 2018, 'Performance of molten sodium vs. molten salts in a packed bed thermal energy storage', Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 141, pp. 368-377.
  • Tsuda, K, Torres, JF & Coventry, J 2018, 'Development of high absorption, high durability coatings for solar receivers in CSP plants', 23rd International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2017, ed. R Mancilla & C Richter, American Institute of Physics (AIP), TBC, pp. 8pp.
  • Mohan, G, Brahmadesham Venkataraman, M & Coventry, J 2017, 'Thermo-physical properties of NaCI - Na2CO3- NaOH as a high-temperature sensible heat storage medium', ISES Solar World Conference 2017, SWC 2017 and 5th International Conference on Solar Heating and Cooling Conference for Buildings and Industry 2017, SHC 2017, ed. D Renne, S Griffiths, M Romero, K Guthrie & D Mugnier, International Solar Energy Society, TBC, pp. 821-827p.
  • Pfahl, A, Coventry, J, Röger, M et al. 2017, 'Progress in heliostat development', Solar Energy, vol. 152, pp. 3-37.
  • Pye, J, Coventry, J, Ho, C et al. 2017, 'Optical and thermal performance of bladed receivers', 22nd Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems Conference SolarPACES 2016, ed. A A Obaidli and N Calvet, AIP Publishing LLC, Melville, New York, United States, pp. 1-8pp.
  • Pye, J, Coventry, J, Venn, C et al. 2017, 'Experimental Testing of a High-Flux Cavity Receiver', 22nd Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems Conference SolarPACES 2016, ed. A A Obaidli and N Calvet, AIP Publishing LLC, Melville, New York, United States, pp. 1-8pp.
  • Hall, C, Pratt, R, Farrant, D et al. 2017, 'Cost analysis of a mini-facet heliostat', 22nd Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems Conference SolarPACES 2016, ed. A A Obaidli and N Calvet, AIP Publishing LLC, Melville, New York, United States, pp. 1-9pp.
  • Asselineau, C, Corsi, C, Coventry, J et al. 2017, 'Geometrical exploration of a flux-optimised sodium receiver through multi-objective optimisation', 22nd Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems Conference SolarPACES 2016, ed. A A Obaidli and N Calvet, AIP Publishing LLC, Melville, New York, United States, pp. 1-8pp.
  • Hall, C, Pratt, R, Farrant, D et al. 2017, 'Cost Analysis of a Mini-Facet Heliostat', 22nd Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems Conference SolarPACES 2016, ed. A A Obaidli and N Calvet, AIP Publishing LLC, Melville, New York, United States, pp. 1-9pp.
  • Asselineau, C, Corsi, C, Coventry, J et al. 2017, 'Geometrical Exploration of a Flux-Optimised Sodium Receiver through Multi-Objective Optimisation', 22nd Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems Conference SolarPACES 2016, ed. A A Obaidli and N Calvet, AIP Publishing LLC, Melville, New York, United States, pp. 1-8pp.
  • Coventry, J & Andraka, C 2017, 'Dish systems for CSP', Solar Energy, vol. 152, pp. 140-170pp.
  • Coventry, J, Arjomandi, M, Asselineau, C et al. 2017, 'Development of ASTRI high-temperature solar receivers', 22nd Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems Conference SolarPACES 2016, ed. A A Obaidli and N Calvet, AIP Publishing LLC, Melville, New York, United States, pp. 1-9pp.
  • Cumpston, J & Coventry, J 2017, 'Derivation of Error Sources from Experimentally Determined Heliostat Surface Shapes', SOLARPACES 2016: International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, ed. Abdulaziz Al Obaidli, Nicolas Calvet, and Christoph Richter, AIP Publishing LLC, New York, pp. 1-8pp.
  • Coventry, J & Burge, P 2017, 'Optical properties of Pyromark 2500 coatings of variable thicknesses on a range of materials for concentrating solar thermal applications', SOLARPACES 2016: International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, ed. Abdulaziz Al Obaidli, Nicolas Calvet, and Christoph Richter, AIP Publishing LLC, New York, pp. 030012-1 - 030012-8.
  • Logie, W, Pye, J & Coventry, J 2016, 'Thermal Elastic Stress in Sodium Receiver Tubes', Asia-Pacific Solar Research Conference, ed. R Egan and R Passey, Australian PV Institute, Australia, pp. 1-12pp.
  • Li, L, Coventry, J, Bader, R et al. 2016, 'Optics of solar central receiver systems: a review', Optics Express, vol. 24, no. 14, pp. A985-A1007pp.
  • Nock, I, Logie, W, Coventry, J et al. 2016, 'A computational evaluation of convective losses from bladed solar thermal receivers', Asia-Pacific Solar Research Conference, ed. R Egan and R Passey, Australian PV Institute, Australia, pp. 12pp.
  • Wang, Y, Asselineau, CA, Coventry, J & Pye, J 2016, 'Optical performance of bladed receivers for CSP systems', ASME 2016 10th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2016, collocated with the ASME 2016 Power Conference and the ASME 2016 14th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, ASME, TBC, pp. 8pp. doi:10.1115/ES2016-59693
  • Coventry, J, Andraka, C, Pye, J et al. 2015, 'A review of sodium receiver technologies for central receiver solar power plants', Solar Energy, vol. 122, pp. 749-762.
  • Pye, J, Hughes, G, Abbasi Shavazi, E et al. 2015, 'Development of a Higher-Efficiency Tubular Cavity Receiver for Direct Steam Generation on a Dish Concentrator', SOLARPACES 2015: International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, AIP Publishing LLC, South Africa, pp. 030029 (8pp).
  • Coventry, J, Pye, J, Andraka, C et al. 2015, 'Sodium receivers for solar power towers: a review', International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2014, ed. Wang Z., Elsevier, TBC, pp. 11pp.
  • Coventry, J, Arjomandi, M, Barry, J et al. 2015, 'Development of the ASTRI Heliostat', SOLARPACES 2015: International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, AIP Publishing LLC, South Africa.
  • Pye, J, ZHENG, M, Asselineau, C et al. 2015, 'An exergy analysis of tubular solar-thermal receivers with different working fluids', International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2014, ed. Wang Z., Elsevier, TBC, pp. 10pp.
  • Logie, W, Asselineau, C, Pye, J et al. 2015, 'Temperature and Heat Flux Distributions in Sodium Receiver Tubes', 2015 Asia-Pacific Solar Research Conference, ed. R. Egan, R. Passey, Australian Photovoltaic Institute, Canberra, pp. 10pp.
  • Coventry, J & Pye, J 2014, 'Heliostat cost reduction - where to now?', Energy Procedia, vol. 49, pp. 60-70.
  • Pye, J, Zapata Fuentealba, J & Coventry, J 2014, 'Improved tubular receivers for point-focus concentrators', Optics for Solar Energy, Optical Society of American (OSA), USA.
  • Coventry, J & Blakers, A 2006, 'Direct measurement and simulation techniques for analysis of radiation flux on a linear PV concentrator', Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, vol. 14, pp. 341-352.
  • Coventry, J 2005, 'Performance of a concentrating photovoltaic/thermal solar collector', Solar Energy, vol. 78, pp. 211-222.
  • Coventry, J, Blakers, A, Franklin, E et al. 2005, 'Analysis of the radiation flux profile along a PV trough concentrator', European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference 2005, ed. W Palz, H Ossenbrink, P Helm, WIP-Renewable Energies, Munich, Germany, pp. 2027-2030.
  • Smeltink, J, Blakers, A & Coventry, J 2005, 'Description of 40kW roof mounted PV termal concentrator system', European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference 2005, ed. W Palz, H Ossenbrink, P Helm, WIP-Renewable Energies, Munich, Germany, pp. 2015-2018.
  • Coventry, J, Stefancich, M, Antonini, A et al. 2005, 'Analysis of the radiation flux profile of the 100 sun promoteo facetted dish concentrator', European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference 2005, ed. W Palz, H Ossenbrink, P Helm, WIP-Renewable Energies, Munich, Germany, p. 23992402.
  • Coventry, J & Lovegrove, K 2003, 'Development of an Approach to Compare the Value of Electrical and Thermal Output from a Domestic PV/Thermal System', Solar World Congress 2001, ed. W.Y. Saman, W.W.S. Charters, Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES), Adelaide, pp. 351-361.
  • Coventry, J & Lovegrove, K 2003, 'Development of an approach to compare the value of electrical and thermal output from a domestic PV/thermal system', Solar Energy, vol. 75, no. 1, pp. 63-72.
  • Coventry, J 2003, 'Performance of the CHAPS Collectors', Australia and New Zealand Solar Energy Society Conference (Solar 2003), ed. Lu Aye, W W S Charters, Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES), Melbourne, pp. 144-153.
  • Coventry, J 2003, 'An investigation of non-uniformities in the longitudinal radiation flux profile of a single-axis tracking parabolic trough concentrator', Australia and New Zealand Solar Energy Society Conference (Solar 2003), ed. Lu Aye, W W S Charters, Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES), Melbourne, pp. 56-68.
  • Coventry, J 2003, 'Performance of a concentrating photovoltaic/thermal solar collector', Solar World Congress 2003, ed. Jan-Olof Dalenb?ck, Solar Engergy Association of Sweden, G�teborg, pp. 1-8.