ACES2030 sets out its R&D objectives in order to respond to the challenge of increased penetration of renewable energy in the energy end-use by 2030:

Objective 1. Renewable electricity. It proposes to develop technologies for next-generation concentrated solar thermal power plants that are efficient, operational and competitive in a scenario of increasing electrification of society. This objective is aligned with the recent priorities set out in the US Department of Energy’s Gen3 CSP program, and primarily with pressurised gas technology.

Objective 2 Process heat. It proposes to develop concentrated solar technologies and integration schemes in industrial processes that require renewable thermal energy in the range between 200 and 900 °C and mainly with air or air charged with particles such as thermal fluids. This Objective is in line with the integrated European project INSHIP (Integrating National Research Agendas on Solar Heat for Industrial Processes) whose task is to define an ECRIA (European Common Research and Innovation Agenda) in this topic.

Objective 3 Solar fuels for transport. It is intended to develop materials, technologies and processes for the production and storage of H₂ and solar fuels for transport. This Objective is in line with the European project Sunlight-to-Liquid that develops its activities in Móstoles, and other European projects using solar powered thermochemical processes, within the priorities of the SET Plan and the multi-year Fuel Cell and Hydrogen programme FCH2 JU.