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The use of membrane contactor technology is well-known in the process industry and can be employed in many important fields; such as separation and absorption processes, membrane distillation, pervaporation, biotechnology, food industries etc. In recent years, research has been carried out regarding the use of membrane contactors in the components of absorption refrigeration systems. The use of membrane contactors makes it realizable to design compact components with improved heat and mass transfer. Heat and mass transfer performance of the components is significantly enhanced due to the higher area to volume ratio available. Membrane based absorber and desorber allow the reduction in size of the absorption refrigeration systems to a great extent and thus absorption refrigeration technology can be used in transport and small scale applications. In this paper, the applications of membrane contactors in absorption refrigeration systems are reviewed. The application of membrane contactors in the components of absorption refrigeration systems, the configurations of refrigeration cycles that employ membrane contactors and the characteristics of the membrane contactors used in absorption refrigeration systems are all reviewed in detail. Information is collected on the choice of working fluid mixture to be used in absorption refrigeration systems that use membrane based components and the compatibility of working fluid mixtures with the membrane contactor material is discussed. The significance and limitations of using membrane contactors in absorption refrigeration systems is included in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A global transition to sustainable energy systems is underway, evident in the increasing proportion of renewables like solar and wind, which accounted for 12 % of global power generation in 2022. The shift to a low-carbon economy will likely require a substantial increase in energy storage in the near future. In this context, concentrating solar power (CSP) is viewed as a promising renewable energy source in the coming decades. However, high generation costs compared to other renewable technologies remain a key barrier inhibiting wider deployment of CSP. Compared to solar PV and onshore wind alternatives, CSP cannot currently compete on the levelized cost of electricity (LCoE). This review provides a comprehensive overview of the vital economic factors and considerations for large-scale CSP expansion. The current state of the market reveals about 8 GW of installed global CSP capacity in 2023, with rapid growth occurring in China, Chile, South Africa and the Middle East. Key economic parameters discussed in this study include capital costs, capacity factors, operating expenses and LCoE. Installation costs for CSP declined by 50 % over the past decade, falling to the current range of $3000–11000 per kW. Adding 6–15 h of thermal energy storage at $20–60 per kW is now considered economical. Capacity factors increased from 30 % to more than 50 % (depending on location) through larger storage capacities and higher operating temperatures. Operations and maintenance costs now range from $12–15 per kW-year. The resulting global weighted average LCoE for CSP plunged 68 % from $0.31 per kWh in 2010 to $0.10 per kWh in 2022. Ongoing innovations in materials, components integrated systems and optimization can further reduce capital expenditures, enhance performance and decrease LCoE. However, appropriate incentives and financing mechanisms remain vital to support continued CSP technology maturation and cost reductions. With its inherent dispatchability and storage capabilities, CSP can become a cost-competitive renewable energy source, but design optimizations and accurate economic appraisals are imperative for CSP to achieve its vast sustainability potential. • Global weighted average electricity capacity factors for CSP plants rose 66 % from 2011 to 2021. • Global weighted average LCoE for CSP fell 68 % from $0.31/kWh in 2010 to $0.10/kWh in 2022. • Capital costs for CSP fell 50 % in the last decade to $3000–11000/kW. • Adding 6–15 h of thermal storage at $20–60/kW is now considered economical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]