The University of New Mexico announced on Aug. 21 that Eirini Eleni Tsiropoulou, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is leading the project "HELIOCOMM: A Resilient Wireless Heliostats Communication System." This initiative seeks to integrate advanced next-generation network technologies with solar thermal power systems, envisioning a future marked by robust wireless communications and sustainable energy, according to a press release.

The project, which is worth $450,000, is among seven initiatives recognized by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, aligned with the Department of Energy's objectives for lowering heliostat costs, fostering sustained innovation and enhancing solar field efficiency. The University of New Mexico's HELIOCOMM aims to revolutionize wireless communication dynamics through the utilization of NextG network advancements. The project team will introduce inventive techniques to address key hurdles, including entropy-based routing, dynamic spectrum management and interference alleviation.

“The project's overarching vision is to create a robust wireless network that enhances the efficiency and performance of CSP systems,” Tsiropoulou said. “The core focus of the HELIOCOMM project revolves around the integrated access and backhaul (IAB) technology.”

In 2021, the Heliostat Consortium, known as HelioCon, was formed and is jointly led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories. Consortium's purpose is to incorporate various stakeholder perspectives, aiming to tackle the hurdles in heliostat technology progression and its wider acceptance within the market.

“The HELIOCOMM project demonstrates the potential for renewable energy and wireless communications to synergize in an unprecedented manner,” Tsiropoulou said.