About

I am a Professor of CSP (Concentrating Solar Power), and Lead the Zero Carbon Theme, at the University of Derby. After my PhD, I worked in research labs for Plessey, GEC, Marconi, and PerkinElmer, before entering academia with Cranfield University where I remain a Visiting Professor. I have also been an Open University (OU) course tutor and Associate Lecturer for over 35 years.

I am the sole UK representative on the EERA-Joint Committee on CSP which steers EU research in CSP and heads up the Line-Focus research group with the JC-CSP. I am a member of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES), a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS). I have considerable teaching experience, and I am a former MSc Course Director and lecturer on low carbon and renewable energy topics. Within the University of Derby, I lead all research related to Zero Carbon. This research is divided into three research Centres:

• Centre for Energy, Manufacturing, and Business
• Centre for Transport, Smart Cities, and Built Environment
• Centre for Nature-Based Solutions

Research interests

My current CSP research includes concentrating solar power for electrical power generation, solar collector characterisation and ageing evaluation, polymer films for solar power plant heliostats and line-focus solar collectors, linear Fresnel community-scale CSP, heliostat design and manufacture, solar thermal heating and cooling, solar-driven desalination and water purification, thermal storage, and nanostructured thermoelectric devices for energy harvesting.

Within the broader “zero-carbon” field I am active in the decarbonisation of UK power generation (renewable energy, energy storage in particular), low-carbon built environment and smart cities, carbon capture and storage, low carbon transport, as well as the environmental and social impact of zero-carbon technologies on local communities.

Membership of professional bodies

• Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS)
• Member of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES)

Qualifications

• PG Cert: Learning, Teaching, and Assessment in Higher Education, Cranfield, 2010
• PG Dip: Manufacturing Management and Technology, Open University, 1991
• D Phil: “Far-infrared reflectivity of lead-tin-telluride isotype heterojunctions”, University of Sussex, 1982
• BSc Hons: Physics, University of Liverpool, 1976

I also have a black-belt six-sigma qualification from Warwick University and hold the National Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. I am also a member of the International Association of Bookkeepers (MIAB).

Recent conferences

SolarPACES is the main annual conference and exhibition for CSP academics, researchers, and commercial delegates. I have been closely involved with SolarPACES since 2010.

 Conference Scientific Committee

•  SolarPACES 2015 (Cape Town, South Africa): only UK member
•  SolarPACES 2016 (Abu Dhabi, UAE): only UK member
•  SolarPACES 2017 (Santiago, Chile): only UK member
•  SolarPACES 2018 (Casablanca, Morocco, only UK member

Conference Session Chair

• SolarPACES 2015 (Cape Town): chaired session on “Thermal and Thermochemical Energy Storage”
• SolarPACES 2016 (Abu Dhabi): chaired session on “Reliability and Service Life”

Conference paper reviewer

• SolarPACES 2015 (Cape Town, RSA)
• SolarPACES 2016 (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
• SolarPACES 2017 (Santiago, Chile)
• SolarPACES 2018 (Casablanca, Morocco)
• SolarPACES 2019 (Daegu, South Korea)
• SolarPACES 2020 (Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA)
• SolarPACES 2021 (Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA)
• SolarPACES 2022 (Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA)
• SolarPACES 2023 (Sydney, Australia)

Experience in industry

Having worked in industry for over twenty years I have a good understanding of the needs of manufacturing and service industries. I led research teams in Plessey, GEC, and Marconi in the manufacturing sector, and also experienced service industry development whilst Operations Manager at Amazon Inc. During my fifteen years in academia I have helped many start-up companies and SMEs to develop their products and processes.

International experience

I have many international links through my research on Concentrating Solar Power over the last fifteen years.

Recent collaborations include work with Egypt, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Jordan, India, Algeria, Pakistan, Palestine, and Nigeria.

Additional interests and activities

Patents

• 'Device for producing electricity' - filed and pending, Crawley F., Luo Z., Hussaini Z. A., Sansom C., GB2117824.9, PCT/EP2022/084437

Book contributions:

• A. Fernandez-García, F. Sutter, L. Martínez-Arcos ,L. Valenzuela , C. Sansom; Chapter 2 pp 29-43, “Advanced mirror concepts for concentrating solar thermal systems”; in “Advances in Concentrating Solar Thermal Research and Technology”, Edited by Manuel Blanco and Lourdes Ramirez Santigosa, (Jan 2017). Published by Elsevier, ISBN: 978-0-08-100516-3. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-08-100516-3.00002-2
• C Sansom and A A Rezazadeh; Chapter 2, “Active devices and fabrication technology”, in “MMIC Design” edited by I.D.Robertson (1995), Published by IEE, ISBN 0 852968167
• C L Sansom, J A Turner, and D J Warner; Chapter 5.2, “Future aspects: Manufacturing issues”, in “Gallium Arsenide technology in Europe” edited by J. Mun and A A M’baye (1994), Published by Springer, ISBN 3 540 57906 0

In the media

Newspaper and Magazine contributions:

• Derby Telegraph, “University of Derby developing solar-powered cooker and charger for rural communities in Ghana and Nigeria”, 11^th May 2023.
• The Guardian, “10,000 litres a day for each pitch: Qatar World Cup’s huge impact on Gulf waters”, 7^th October 2022
• The Naked Scientist: Science Interviews. Could desalination be used in the UK?
• “How does desalination work, and would it ever be feasible in the UK?”
• Interview with Christopher Sansom, University of Derby, 30^th August 2022.
• The Times “Sunshine and thin air could be turned into water for the world, 3^rd August 2021 (online: subscription access only)
• Solar Daily “Solar power and desalination to be efficiently linked for first time in new project”, 3^rd August 2021
• One News Page “Solar power and desalination to be efficiently linked for first time in new project”, 3^rd August 2021
• The Environment - The magazine for the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) – December 2020/January 2021
• “Sun, Salt and Saudi Megacities”
• Brink online. “Using the Sun to Convert Seawater Into Drinking Water”, March 5^th
• Construction Week Online, “NEOM inks deal to construct first 'solar dome' tech desalination plant”. January 2020
• The Energyst, Oct 2019, “Decarbonising heat: Phase change materials crack thermal storage”
• The Energyst, May 2918, “Emerging technologies: the answer to decarbonising heat?”
• Page 24. https://issuu.com/energymagazines/docs/the_energyst_may_2018
• International Aqua Feed, April 2018, “Development of Solar Microalgae Feeds”
• Water Briefing, 25^th April 2018. “Key role for Cranfield University research in €22m concentrated solar power and desalination plant in Egypt”
• Energy Live News, 24^th April 2018. “UK University contributes to concentrated solar in Egypt”
• HelioCSP, 23^rd April 2018. “Cranfield University contributes to concentrated solar power in Egypt”
• The Egyptian Gazette, 28^th Feb 2018. “Egypt inaugurates €22m solar power project in Borg El Arab”
• Business Weekly, “Cranfield at Heart of Solar Energy Projects”, Nov 2013
• Article in “The Engineer” August 2011; “Power plant technology could cut the cost of solar power”
• Article in “Fibre Systems” volume 3, number 9, pps 26-28, “Tunable Technology powers smart optical networks” (2002)

Press releases:

• “Solar power and desalination to be efficiently linked for first time in new project”. 27^th July 2021
• “NEOM Adopts Pioneering Solar Dome Technology for Sustainable Desalination Project”. January 29^th
• “Students Research Cleaning Solar Collectors Without Water” / http://www.nacleanenergy.com/articles/34831/students-research-cleaning-solar-collectors-without-water
• “Electricity and water in the desert thanks to Cranfield research”, 23^rd April 2018. This relates to the FP7 funded MATS project and the opening of the 1MW_e CSP plant in Egypt
• “Creating pure water from the sea”. 22^nd February 2018. New technology, researched at Cranfield University, harnesses concentrated solar power to desalinate sea water and produce water that could be used to irrigate crops or turn desert into farmland, has won a top environmental innovation award
• “CSP plant stakeholders meet H2020 Project teams to minimize the water consumption in CSP plants at a joint workshop”, 30th November 2016 (CEA/CIEMAT Press Release)
• “New collaboration reinforces Cranfield’s solar reputation”, Cranfield University Press Release 11th November 2013
• “Experts help develop solar cooker”, Cranfield University Press Release 14th May 2013
• “Solar thermal design and manufacture international event”, Cranfield University Press Release 5th July 2012

TV

• Interviewed on BBC programme “Politics East Midlands” on 9^th October 2022. Topic: Onshore wind (starts at 24:00 mins)

Radio    

• Interviewed on Virgin Radio (Chris Evans morning show): News item and recorded interview on solar cookers for Ghana and Nigeria, 25^th May 2023
• Interviewed on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on the “Naked Scientist” programme on 25^th August 2022. Topic: Desalination in the UK

Recent publications

• H Abdulkarim, C Sansom, K Patchigolla, H Almond and M Karim; “Impact of dust on electrical power output of solar PV modules in North-East Nigeria”; Minna International Journal of Science and Technology (MIJOST), Vol.1,No.1,May 2022
• https://journals.coeminna.edu.ng/index.php/mijost/article/view/24/16  
• S Ochella, M Shafiee, and C Sansom; “An RUL-informed approach for life extension of high-value assets”; Computers and Industrial Engineering; Volume 171, 108332, September 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2022.108332
• C Sansom, K Patchigolla, K Jonnalagadda and P King; “Design of a novel CSP/MED desalination system”; AIP Conference Proceedings 2445, 140012 (2022)
• S Ochella, M Shafiee, and C Sansom; “Adopting machine learning and condition monitoring P-F curves in determining and prioritizing high-value assets for life extension”; Expert Systems with Applications; Volume 176, 114897, August 2021
• P King, C Sansom, H Almond, M Karim, and L Rodriguez-Idiazabal; “Simulation of the effect of dust barriers on the reduction of mirror soiling in CSP plants”; AIP Conference Proceedings 2303, 210004 (2020); Published Online: 11 December 2020
• M Karim, H Almond, C Sansom, N Ozkan, P Mirzania, and P King; “The effect of concentrated solar power plants on the socio-economic and livelihood assets of the local community and environment”; AIP Conference Proceedings 2303, 150010 (2020); Published Online: 11 December 2020
• Z Hussaini, P King, and C Sansom; “Design and configuration of solar thermal multi-tower field layout”; AIP Conference Proceedings 2303, 030021 (2020); Published Online: 11 December 2020
• D Bourdon, F Wolfertstetter, A Fernández-García, C Sansom, I Azpitarte, S Bouaddi, G Perez, A Maccari, P van Nijnatten, E Surquin, and F Perrotta; “Saving water on concentrated solar power plants: The holistic approach of the WASCOP project”; AIP Conference Proceedings 2303, 210002 (2020); Published Online: 11 December 2020
• A Bennett, C Sansom, P King, K Gobey, and H Merkle; “Cleaning concentrating solar power mirrors without water”; AIP Conference Proceedings 2303, 210001 (2020); Published Online: 11 December 2020
• H Abdulkarim, C Sansom, K Patchigolla, and P King; “Statistical and economic analysis of solar radiation and climatic data for the development of solar PV system in Nigeria”; Energy Reports Vol 6, p309-316, (2020)
• A Alghamdi , M Shafiee , C Sansom, P Hart, A Encinas-Oropesa, “A life-cycle cost analysis model to support investment decision-making in concentrated solar power projects”, Energies 13, 1553 (2020)
• Z Hussaini, P King, C Sansom, “Numerical Simulation and Design of Multi-Tower Concentrated Solar Power Field”, Sustainability 12(6), 2402 (2020)
• P King, C Sansom, P Comley, “Photogrammetry for Concentrating Solar Collector Form Measurement, Validated Using a Coordinate Measuring Machine”, Sustainability, Volume 12, Issue 1, (2020), Article number 196
• C Sansom, X Tonnellier, P King, H Almond, “Concentrating Fresnel lens technology for thermal desalination”, AIP Conference Proceedings 2126, 230003 (2019); Published Online: 26 July 2019
• H Almond, X Tonnellier, C Sansom, M Pearce, N Sengar, “The design and modification of a parabolic trough system for the hydrothermal liquefaction of waste”, AIP Conference Proceedings 2126, 120001 (2019); Published Online: 26 July 2019
• P King, C Sansom, H Almond, H Abdulkarim, “An experimental investigation into factors affecting the soiling of glass mirrors”, AIP Conference Proceedings 2126, 160004 (2019); Published Online: 26 July 2019
• M Pearce, X Tonnellier, N Sengar, C Sansom, “Fuel from hydrothermal liquefaction of waste in solar parabolic troughs”, AIP Conference Proceedings 2126, 180015 (2019); Published Online: 26 July 2019
• F Wolfertstetter, S Wilbert, F Terhag, N Hanrieder, A Fernandez-Garcia, C Sansom, P King, L Zarzalejo, A Ghennioui, “Modelling the soiling rate: Dependencies on meteorological parameters”, AIP Conference Proceedings 2126, 190018 (2019); Published Online: 26 July 2019
• E.M. Jakubczyk, A. Mapp, C.C. Chung, C.L. Sansom, J.L. Jones, R.A. Dorey, “Enhancing thermoelectric properties of nano NaCo2O4 ceramics through Na pretreatment”. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 788, Pages 91-101 (June 2019)
• S Bouaddi, A Fernández-García , C Sansom, J Ander Sarasua, F Wolfertstetter, H Bouzekri, F Sutter, I Azpitarte; “A review of conventional and innovative-sustainable methods for cleaning reflectors in Concentrating Solar Power plants”, Sustainability (2018), 10, 3937   
• M Tawfik, X Tonnellier, and C Sansom, “Light source selection for a solar simulator for thermal applications: a review”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (2018)
• C Sansom, P King, A Fernández-García, H Almond, T Kayani, and H Boujjat; “The Design of Dust Barriers to Reduce Collector Mirror Soiling in CSP Plants”, AIP Conference Proceedings 2033, 030017 (2018); Published by the American Institute of Physics