English 
6 min of reading 
0 comments 
Project in Piauí studies concentrated solar power with giant mirrors and thermal storage, technology that uses accumulated heat to generate electricity and could open a new front for renewable research in Brazil.
Piauí could receive a pilot plant for concentrated solar power with thermal storage, a technology still unprecedented in Brazil.
The project is being studied by CGN Brasil in partnership with the Government of Piauí and the Piauí Institute of Technology, with an analysis forecast for a unit of approximately 100 MW in the state.
The proposal does not, for now, concern a work in progress.
-
Scientists pour 10 tons of cement into an abandoned anthill in Brazil and reveal an “underground city” with tunnels, chambers, and ventilation built by millions of ants.
-
Earth’s core may have been leaking gold for billions of years, and volcanic rocks from Hawaii revealed the rare clue that surprised scientists.
-
70,000 tons of liquid argon will be buried more than 1 km deep in the US, as DUNE attempts to answer why the Universe exists filled with matter and did not disappear into antimatter.
-
End of an era on WhatsApp: tool used by Brazilians eliminated after less than 4 years
The current stage involves technical, economic, and regulatory feasibility studies to verify if the technology can be implemented in Piauí territory.
The stated objective of those responsible is to evaluate a form of solar generation capable of storing heat and producing electricity even after direct sunlight ends.
Unlike photovoltaic panels, which convert sunlight directly into electrical energy, the technology known as CSP, an English acronym for concentrated solar power, uses mirrors to direct radiation to a specific point.
This process generates high temperatures, heats thermal fluids, and allows the heat to be used later to drive turbines and produce electricity.
How concentrated solar power works
Concentrated solar power operates using large reflective surfaces.
These mirrors track the sun’s position and concentrate radiation onto a tower or thermal receiver, where heat is transferred to fluids or materials capable of maintaining high temperatures for a certain period.
The difference compared to photovoltaic generation lies in the way energy is utilized.
In conventional solar panel systems, production depends directly on the light available at that moment.
In CSP with thermal storage, the captured heat can be preserved and used later, according to the plant’s technical configuration.
For this reason, those responsible for the study treat thermal storage as an alternative to expand dispatchable renewable generation.
In the electricity sector, this term refers to sources that can be activated or controlled according to system needs, within technical operating conditions.
CGN Brasil states that the initiative seeks to contribute to addressing problems such as the intermittency of solar sources and the limitations of electricity grid outflow.
The company also informs that the technology can allow generation even without immediate solar incidence, which depends on the performance of the adopted storage system.
Why Piauí is at the center of the study
Piauí was chosen for the analysis because of its relationship with renewable sources and the presence of solar and wind projects in the state.
According to the Piauí Institute of Technology, the state’s electricity matrix has a majority share of renewable sources, with an emphasis on solar and wind generation.
CSP technology is usually associated with areas with high direct solar radiation incidence, a necessary condition for mirrors to efficiently concentrate heat.
In project documents, PIT cites international experiences and references in countries such as China, the United States, Spain, Chile, and Morocco.
These examples do not mean that Brazilian implementation is guaranteed.
The comparison serves as a technical basis for evaluating performance, costs, materials, environmental requirements, and adaptation to local conditions.
Feasibility depends on specific studies on climate, infrastructure, grid connection, and regulation.
In the case of Piauí, the analysis must consider data on direct normal irradiance, temperature, cloud cover, and availability of areas compatible with mirror installation.
Thermal storage capacity, integration into the electrical system, and potential environmental impacts are also included in the evaluation.
Study will evaluate costs, materials, and regulations
The agreement signed between CGN Brasil and the Piauí Institute of Technology foresees studies aimed at the implementation of a pilot plant of approximately 100 MW.
The research phase includes analyses on engineering, regulation, costs, licensing, and operation of the technology in Brazilian territory.
PIT Call for Proposals No. 08/2026, launched on April 15, 2026, opened selection for four scholarship holders to join the project’s technical team.
The planned composition includes three master researchers and one research assistant, working in areas related to thermal systems, chemical processes, high-performance materials, and environmental assessment.
Planned activities include simulations of electrical and thermal energy production and storage, surveying national and international standards, and comparison with projects operating outside Brazil.
The call for proposals also mentions studies on environmental risks and analysis of technological alternatives applicable to the project.
The selection of researchers indicates that the initiative is still focused on the research and development phase.
There is no public schedule in the official sources consulted that confirms the start of construction, the plant’s completion deadline, or its operational start date.
Technical cooperation with visits to China
The proposal includes technical cooperation and exchange of Brazilian professionals, as well as visits to operational plants in China.
According to CGN Brazil, this stage should allow contact with experiences already implemented in other markets and support the evaluation of technology adaptation to Brazil.
The president of CGN Brazil, Mingzhu Li, stated in a company press release that “the project represents an important step to increase the reliability of renewable energies in Brazil, combining technological innovation and regional development”.
The statement was released in the announcement of the partnership with the state government.
Governor Rafael Fonteles also commented in the statement.
According to him, “Piauí has sought to position itself as a hub for innovation in renewable energies” and the partnership can contribute to attracting investments, generating knowledge, and strengthening regional development.
The statements were kept as they appeared in the company’s official disclosure.
The assessments on impact, innovation, and development were attributed to their respective authors, without being presented as independent findings.
The challenge of storing energy in the form of heat
The technical point that differentiates the project lies in **thermal storage**.
Instead of storing electricity in chemical batteries, the proposal is to store heat produced by concentrating solar radiation.
This heat can then be used to generate steam, drive turbines, and produce electricity.
The approach seeks to address a known limitation of solar energy: the drop in generation when light diminishes at the end of the day.
With thermal storage, a CSP plant can continue producing for a certain period after sunset, provided the system has sufficient capacity to conserve and utilize the accumulated heat.
This possibility, however, depends on technical and economic factors.
The technology requires adequate direct solar radiation, large areas for mirror installation, materials resistant to high temperatures, and control systems capable of operating under specific conditions.
Costs also need to be evaluated in comparison with other forms of generation and storage.
Therefore, the feasibility stage should indicate whether the model is compatible with the Brazilian scenario.
The study needs to consider both energy performance and electricity sector regulation, grid connection, and environmental requirements applicable to the project.
CGN already operates renewable assets in the state
CGN Brazil reports having over **100 GW of installed capacity worldwide**.
In Piauí, the company states it has an operational portfolio of **506 MW across solar and wind assets**.
The company operates in Brazil’s clean energy sector and maintains ventures in different states.
The company’s international experience with energy projects is one of the elements cited in the agreement.
Nevertheless, the implementation of CSP with thermal storage in Piauí depends on the results of studies conducted with the Piauí Institute of Technology.
For researchers and electricity sector agents, storage technologies are considered relevant because they can help deal with the natural variation of renewable sources.
In the case of CSP, this discussion focuses on the use of heat as a temporary energy reserve.
The possible pilot plant in Piauí, therefore, is still in the study phase, but it brings into debate a different way of harnessing solar energy.
Instead of just converting immediate light into electricity, the project evaluates whether the heat concentrated by the mirrors can be stored and used later.
Be the first to react!