Generation flexibility

  • Production Method Of Electrical Energy by Enhanced Thermal Electron Emission by the Use of Superior Semiconductors

    Project dates: 01. May 2013 - 30. Apr 2016

    Objective

    The project aims to develop, validate and implement a novel solid-state conversion mechanism able to transform concentrated solar radiation into electric energy, at very high efficiency, with a direct conversion obtained by an enhanced electron emission from advanced semiconductor structures. Its application is in high-flux concentrating solar systems, characterized by presently mature optical technology, reduced request for active components, high cost-effectiveness. The energy conversion exploits the high radiation flux, provided by solar concentrators, by combining an efficient thermionic emission to an enhanced photo-electron emission from a cathode structure, obtained by tailoring the physical properties of advanced semiconductors able to work at temperatures as high as 1000 °C. The high operating temperatures are also connected to the possibility to exploit the residual thermal energy into electric energy by thermo-mechanical conversion. ProME3ThE2US2 will develop a proof-of-concept converter working under vacuum conditions, composed of an absorber able to employ the solar infrared (IR) radiation to provide a temperature increase, a semiconductor cathode properly deposited on it, and a work-function-matched anode, separated from the cathode by an inter-electrode spacing. The concept novelty bases on (1) use of both bandgap and over-bandgap energy to generate electrical current; (2) additional use of sub-bandgap IR radiation, with a spectral energy not able to excite photo-emitters, for augmenting the thermionic emission from cathode, (3) engineered semiconductors, able to emit electrons at lower temperatures than standard refractory metals; (4) experimentation of a hetero-structured cathode for emission enhancement by an internal field; (5) recovery of exhaust heat from the anode by thermo-mechanical conversion. It is estimated that the proposed technology could achieve a conversion efficiency of 45% if used under high-flux irradiation conditions (~1000 suns).

    Partners

    Number of partners: 7
    Site numbers:

    SOLARIS PHOTONICS LTD

    ABENGOA RESEARCH SL

    FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.

    EXERGY LTD

    • Partner
    • EXERGY LTD
    • United Kingdom
    • Budget: 175, 216

    TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY

    TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

    Ionvac Process Srl

    Key Exploitable Results

    • TRL

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  • High Efficiency Distributed Power Plant

    Project dates: 01. Feb 2015 - 31. Jul 2015

    Objective

    The EU is committed to lower its C02 emissions 80-95% by 2050. Current energy technologies do not enable to reach this goal. Today, in conventional power generation, electrical efficiency is around 15-45%. Convion will commercialize a small power plant for distributed power generation that reaches electrical-efficiency up to 70% (and above 90% in CHP mode). Convion´s power plant is based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) technology that converts hydrocarbon and hydrogen fuels like biogas, natural gas, and hydrogen to heat and power without harmful emissions. Convion´s SOFC power plant enables to reduce greenhouse gases by more than 40-60% compared to conventional combustion process. In addition Convion´s innovation increases energy security for many EU regions and improves power stability for end-users like hospitals, data centres, production units and households. Convion is an established company at fuel cells market that combines more than 250 cumulative years of experience in SOFC systems development. Convion is dedicated to develop a state of the art exceeding SOFC stationary application in 50-300kW power range. Demand for high-efficiency power solutions is on the rise and fuel cells technology is seen as the backbone of the energy industry in the next decades. Market opportunity in Convion´s segment is estimated to reach over 1B € by 2020. H2020 SME-instrument is seen as a perfect match for Convion´s project objectives that could support the last product development phase and enable successful market introduction of the Convion SOFC power plant. In Phase-1 Convion will further develop company´s business model, customer strategy and marketing plan to take advantage of Convion´s strong position at distributed power generation market and achieve successful product commercialisation. Manufacturability study in Phase-1 is expected to lower the technology costs and make preparations for mass production.

    Partners

    Number of partners: 1
    Site numbers:

    CONVION OY

    • Project coordinator
    • CONVION OY
    • Finland
    • Budget: 50, 000

    Key Exploitable Results

    • TRL

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  • Next generation solar active facade element Solar ventilation air preheater SVAP

    Project dates: 01. Apr 2017 - 30. Sep 2017

    Objective

    Buildings are responsible for 40% of the energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in the EU. According to Directive 2010/31/EU, all new buildings in the EU should be nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEB) by the end of 2020. The amount of the solar energy that is not collected from the facades contributes to CO¬2 emissions and the use of fossil fuel that could otherwise be avoided. Collecting solar energy from facades is a new and necessary trend in NZEB facades. As a result of our R&D efforts, Saulės vėjo aruodai (SVA) has developed the patented Solar Ventilation Air Preheater (SVAP). SVAP heat exchanger construction solve the following problems that persist in the state-of-the art products: (1) the regulation of the solar attack angle, (2) minimising the local and linear resistance of air movement inside the heat exchanger, (3) maximising the capture of solar radiation inside the heat exchanger, (4) allowing the design of transparent modules (because of the front and back slats’ construction), (5) integrate photovoltaic modules on the front slats and capture the reflection of long infrared rays from the crystalline silicon cells. Our product addresses a market that is worth over 10 BN EUR. This project will undertake a feasibility study, including a full business plan, to verify the technological, practical and economic viability of SVAP project in beachhead markets.

    Partners

    Number of partners: 1
    Site numbers:

    UAB SAULES VEJO ARUODAI

    Key Exploitable Results

    • TRL

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  • Offshore Wind Energy Cost Reduction by an Innovative Floating Met Mast Platform

    Project dates: 01. Dec 2017 - 31. Jul 2021

    Objective

    FloatMast is a floating platform that performs the best wind data measurements for the most promising and advanced Blue Energy activity, Offshore Wind Parks (OWPs). These wind measurements are vital for the cost benefit analysis of OWPs as they are used in the estimation of the annual income. Moreover, the wind measurements are also critical to the definition of the Operation and Maintenance costs as they are used in the design specification of the OWP’s turbines, towers and foundations. The wind measurements collected by FloatMast are according to the highest industry standard (IEC 61400-12-1) and provide the greatest net benefit to the Developers of OWPs. It can perform wind measurements at a 70% lower cost, by combining the best features from the two existing solutions: the meteorological mast and the Lidar remote sensor device on a stable floating platform. Furthermore, it is re-usable and provides the added value of being re-deployed in other locations of interest. It can be used at all stages of the life cycle of the OWP, from the design phase to the development and operational phase and until the decommissioning phase, twenty years later. Moreover, the platform can perform multi-purpose measurements as it can incorporate oceanographic instruments and environmental sensors, providing a fully integrated solution for a complete monitoring of the OWP site. The innovation has been developed by two Greek SMEs, it has been patented and certified, tested in a tank test at a 1:25 scale model, constructed at 1:1 physical scale, launched to the sea and conducted a series of tests with perfect compliance. The design and hydrodynamic behavior of the platform have been proven and the next stage involves enhancements and upgrades. Finally, the platform must undergo a demonstration phase in the operational environment in order to provide the needed verification of its operational capabilities and advance the already 2,3 m Euros investment to the commercialization phase.

    Partners

    Number of partners: 2
    Site numbers:

    STREAMLINED SYMVOULI MECHANIKI EPE

    ETME PEPPAS KAI SYNERGATES EE

    Key Exploitable Results

    • TRL

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  • HIghly advanced Probabilistic design and Enhanced Reliability methods for high-value, cost-efficient offshore WIND

    Project dates: 01. Dec 2020 - 31. May 2024

    Objective

    The core challenge addressed in this project is the advancement of the entire modelling chain spanning basic atmospheric physics to advanced engineering design in order to lower uncertainty and risk for large offshore wind farms. The five specific objectives of the HIPERWIND project are to: 1) improve the accuracy and spatial resolution of met-ocean models; 2) develop novel load assessment methods tailored to the dynamics of large offshore fixed bottom and floating wind turbines; 3) develop an efficient reliability computation framework; 4) develop and validate the modelling framework for degradation of offshore wind turbine components due to loads and environment; and 5) prioritize concrete, quantified measures that result in LCOE reduction of at least 9% and market value improvement of 1% for offshore wind energy. The requirements for advanced modelling and development of basic scientific solutions necessitates the strong involvement from academic partners (DTU, ETH, and UiB) and research organizations (IFPEN, DNVGL, and EPRI) and potential end users (EDF) to supply relevant operational data for model validation, provide access to cutting edge industrial environment and to open up exploitation pathways beyond TRL5 toward eventual commercialisation. HIPERWIND employs multi-scale atmospheric flow and ocean modelling, creating a seamless connection between models of phenomena on mesoscale level and those on wind farm level, with the aim of reducing uncertainty in load predictions, and broadening the range of scenarios for which adequate load predictions are possible. Improved modelling of environmental conditions, improved load predictions, better reliability assessment and lower uncertainty, cost efficient design and operating strategies, and lower O&M costs will yield a projected 9% decrease in the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and 1% increase in the market value of offshore wind by the conclusion of the project.

    Partners

    Number of partners: 7
    Site numbers:

    ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE

    DNV AS

    • Partner
    • DNV AS
    • Norway
    • Budget: 357, 625

    EPRI EUROPE DAC

    EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICH

    DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET

    IFP Energies nouvelles

    UNIVERSITETET I BERGEN

    Key Exploitable Results

    • TRL

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  • Structural safety improvement of offshore tall wind turbines under wind and wave loadings

    Project dates: 14. Feb 2019 - 13. Feb 2021

    Objective

    Wind energy has rapidly developed as a clean and renewable energy source in recent years in order to meet the increasing demand for power. The European Union has already installed over 50GW of wind power generating capacity and has planned to increase the use of wind energy in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by the year 2020 (Tabassum et al., 2014). The use of wind turbines is nowadays the principal technology for generating electrical power from wind, and therefore wind energy converters need to be thoroughly investigated with respect to their capacity, effectiveness and integrity. It is widely known that wind energy potential (greater wind speeds) is greater in higher atmospheric levels, where wind flow is smooth enough as is far from the disturbed built environment. Therefore, higher towers are needed in engineering practice as the technology develops. The space used for offshore wind farms is also more flexible than that on land. For offshore wind turbines, their environmental loads are more complex than onshore ones including higher average wind velocity and wave loadings. Thus, this makes the development of a new tall offshore tower configuration imperative for the construction of offshore structures under wind and wave loadings.

    Partners

    Number of partners: 1
    Site numbers:

    THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

    Key Exploitable Results

    • TRL

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  • Commercialisation of Ventura Habitat - a novel wind turbine blade maintenance enclosure tomaximize downtime productivity

    Project dates: 01. Feb 2018 - 30. Apr 2018

    Objective

    GEV Wind Power is one of Europe's leading wind-turbine maintenance companies with teams working on more than 40 wind farms both on and offshore every year. With a presence throughout Europe and North America, GEV Wind Power is a truly global service provider. We understand that it is important to wind energy maintenance companies to find new ways of delivering core services to reduce the cost of energy provision. To realise this vision, we commit significant financial resources to in-house R&D and are constantly looking at technologies that fit well for Wind Energy. We have now developed a patented habitat solution that retrofits to market available access platforms. This creates the perfect protective working environment for blade maintenance and repairs to be completed. Maintenance productivity is increased and, with the added benefit of 24 hour working, GEV Wind Power are able to eliminate the cost uncertainty of weather downtime and will help wind farm owners reduce maintenance costs, improve Annual Energy Production (AEP) and the competitiveness of wind generated energy. Trials completed onshore with our Ventura Habitat prototype using two different access platforms (Power Climber and Kaeufer) in varying weather conditions and ranging between 30 metres and 100 metres high, with successful deployment demonstrating the flexibility and operability of the Habitat in a real-life environment. The overall objective of this development project is to create a commercially ready Ventura Habitat system, with validated results through field trials. This will enable us to achieve our overall commercial objective to become the leading blade maintenance services provider in Europe and North America. We forecast a total revenue of €20 million and a profit of €5 million 5 years post-commercialisation, with a breakeven on investment after 3.43 years and an ROI of 150%.

    Partners

    Number of partners: 1
    Site numbers:

    GEV WIND POWER LIMITED

    Key Exploitable Results

    • TRL

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  • Commercialization of a breakthrough wind resource assessment technology for automated planning of bankable wind farms

    Project dates: 01. Jan 2020 - 30. Jun 2022

    Objective

    The process of prospection and wind energy project development today is still lengthy and risky. In three out of four prospected sites no wind power plant is ever built. The main challenge is in accurately identifying a wind power sites. Today, assessing the practical constraints and estimating the potential long-term energy yield for different configurations is largely done through a sequence of manual and lengthy processing steps. Precise estimates take time, expertise and manual effort for the different steps and a high level of quality assurance by human experts to ensure the results are sufficiently accurate to be accepted by investors and lenders, i.e. 'bankability'. WindSider addresses the need for a automated and affordable solution for generating accurate and bankable resource maps, wind power plant designs and long-term yield assessment studies. WindSider outperforms the classical semi-automated process in terms of processing time and cost, while still ensuring bankable precision. WindSider is a game changer enabling for the first time generation of validated reports of bankable quality. This allows for prospecting more projects faster with go/no-go decisions at lower risk than today, leading to more new wind farms. Wind energy is abundantly available as a domestic energy source all over the world. It requires no fuel and causes no emissions. It is the fasted growing source of power globally and an essential pillar of Europe’s Energy Union strategy. At the same time, the overall process of wind energy project development and power generation is far from optimized, carrying vast business opportunities for those improving it. Between 2018-2024, the global wind energy installations on land will on average be 50 GW per year (200GW will be prospected), requiring 20,000-30,000 new turbines and investment of 70 billion EUR per year, indicating a Total Available Market size for the WindSider of approximately 2 billion EUR.

    Partners

    Number of partners: 5
    Site numbers:

    NAZKA MAPPS BVBA

    SINGULARLOGIC ANONYMI ETAIREIA PLIROFORIAKON SYSTIMATON KAI EFARMOGONPLIROFORIKIS

    DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET

    3E

    • Project coordinator
    • 3E
    • Belgium
    • Budget: 902, 396

    UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRID

    Key Exploitable Results

    • TRL

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  • HIGH POWER CYCLONE CONVERTER GENERATOR FOR WIND ONSHORE

    Project dates: 01. Mar 2018 - 31. Jul 2018

    Objective

    Wind is an inexhaustible source of energy with potential to supply 20 times more power than what the entire human population needs, and it has already surpassed any other source of renewable energy reaching 452 GW in 2016 of onshore power installed capacity, which is forecasted to grow up to 922 GW in 2030 -6.7% of the world’s power consumption. Yet, current technology requires to employ huge blades to obtain more energy. This is not efficient and safe as they need high initial investment in the turbines manufacturing, transportation and ground works and a major portion of land, which increases the rental costs and can displace farming from fertile land. Also, the blades are prone to erosion, requiring costly operation maintenance and they can be a safety hazard to the people working in these wind farms when submitted to tornados or hurricanes. Our CCG technology is based on the concept of a packed and controlled cyclone inside a hollow tower, which rotates the turbine blades on the top of the structure. In this way a CCG 30 MW unit (15x more than the most common turbines) occupies 30x less space. Our CCG solution is simple and easy to build, consisting of a turbine generator and a reinforced concrete structure, it can be installed using current road ways. Thanks to these features, CCG can be installed in onshore locations, where winds >30 m/s, may occur. It will reduce by 50% energy costs compared with conventional horizontal-axis wind turbines, i.e. LCOE (0.02-0.03 €/kW) CAPEX (750-950 €/kW) Our target market will be existing onshore wind farms for repowering and planned wind farms, i.e. > 900 GW in 2022. Thanks to the uniqueness of CCG, we expect to get at least a 1% penetration in the wind energy sector by 2024, which means over 1 GW capacity installed with our technology and a ROI of 9.8. After testing the first prototype, to evaluate the best market entry we need to perform a detailed feasibility study for what we are asking for support from the EC.

    Partners

    Number of partners: 1
    Site numbers:

    CENTRALES ENERGETICAS CICLONICAS DESARROLLOS CANARIOS, SOCIEDAD DE RESPONSABILIDAD LIMITADA

    Key Exploitable Results

    • TRL

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  • Distributed Acoustic Sensing for Cable Monitoring and Surveying for Offshore Wind Farms providing movement, depth, surface disruption and free-span readings

    Project dates: 01. Aug 2016 - 31. Oct 2016

    Objective

    The Cable Sentry project will provide sensitive, real-time subsea high voltage (HV) cable monitoring to the offshore wind farm industry. By coupling the fibre optic cable to the HV cable faults can be easily identified and pre-located from acoustic signals. With 90 wind farms in development across Europe with 20000 km of subsea cabling by 2020, a daily offline cost to the energy companies of €300,000 and an increasing fault occurrence rate of up to 5-8 faults per 1000 km per year in early wind farm lifetime Cable Sentry has great potential. Our prototype has been proven to provide a 50-60% time and cost saving on fault ID and location when trialled. In addition, our system does not require seabed installation and can cover cables up to 120 km in length meeting the trend for the increasing distance to shore. Cable Sentry provides value added functionality as it is able to locate and measure free-span, indicate burial depth and wave height useful for cable surveying and condition monitoring. We are seeking funding for formation of a detailed business plan to demonstrate our comprehensive strategy to move our product from TRL6 to TRL8 within a Phase 2 project. We will develop a strong sales and marketing plan that will allow us to meet the growth increase anticipated due to our holding sole European distribution rights for Cable Sentry. Phase 2 work will include large-scale pilot trials for data collection and analysis to tune our algorithms to cover all potential fault types and cable positioning possibilities. Cable Sentry will enable Electricity Distribution Services Ltd (EDS) to achieve our vision to become the leading HV asset management company for offshore wind farms in Europe. We are looking to provide real time cable fault location and maintenance, asset surveying and HV support throughout plant lifetime. The Cable Sentry project is forecast to generate €35 million for EDS in the 5-years post commercialisation with an ROI of 7:1.

    Partners

    Number of partners: 1
    Site numbers:

    ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION SERVICES LIMITED

    Key Exploitable Results

    • TRL

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The EIRIE platform has been developed under the PANTERA project which has received funding from the European Union´s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under GA No : 824389

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