ULISSES is being developed as part of a project done in the mining industry. The high cost of diesel to heat up portions of the processes in the copper industry and the solar radiation available in most copper mining areas led AIGUASOL to develop a new large-scale solar thermal collector that is more efficient and cheaper than conventional solar collectors.

A detailed design was decided, and a first pilot project of the concept was carried out, validating the initial expectations. Phase III, which involves construction of a fully functional solar thermal field larger than 10,000 m2, is expected to begin soon.