• Energy Research
• 2016 close
• 2017 close

In this Proof-of-Concept project we will create a completely new kind of integrated energy solution platform based on thermoelectric (TE) heat energy harvesting materials that are capable of converting various types of heat flows directly into electricity. The strong basis for the project is the new oxide-based thermoelectric inorganic-organic hybrid materials discovered in the PI's ERC Advanced Grant Project “Molecular-Layer-Engineered Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Materials (LAYERENG-HYBMAT)”. These hybrid thin-film materials are fabricated by the combined atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) technique which uniquely allows for fabrication of highly conformal thin-film coatings on various flexible, sensitive, functional and/or nanostructured surfaces. Within this PoC project we will (1) design and construct a few prototype devices based on the flexible inorganic-organic thin-film thermoelectrics and (2) integrate the devices with novel material platforms (textiles, polymers, coatings). The novel integrated TE energy solutions will enable heat-based energy harvesting for usage scenarios that are not possible with the existing bulky and fragile TE materials/generators. In addition, (3) the market for flexible thermoelectric generators will be analysed and the commercialisation and the IPR strategies will be created for TE generation solutions.

Wind energy will play a full part in decarbonisation of the future energy mix - if the costs can be reduced. This project develops a technological concept that helps achieve that cost reduction, by utilising data in a way which directly supports quick and reliable decision making in the everyday operation of a wind farm, either on- or offshore. The volume of data available from wind turbine assets is staggering - from component temperature traces, to weather forecasts, to sea conditions. But ultimately that data needs to be used by a control room engineer to change a decision in order to be useful. This innovative project develops a decision-making system that combines advanced visualisation methods and component health systems developed by UK SMEs with decision-theory from academia, and brings this together in a way that a wind farm operator can utilise to drive down the cost of operating a wind farm.

Extreme weather conditions (i.e. strong and unsteady winds, icing, etc.) - that countries such as Iceland and the other four Nordics (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland), the UK, Ireland, Canada´s Prairies, Northern US, Russia, and Nigeria along with high altitude sites face - make traditional wind turbines (horizontal-axis) to spin out of control resulting in catastrophic system failure in the first year of operation. As a result, these locations needed a different kind of wind technology capable of working over a wide production range (whether it’s in the stormy afternoon, in hurricanes or on calm and icy winter nights in the range of -10 to -30 °C) with virtually no need of maintenance. Thus, IceWind has created a rugged, standalone, and cost-effective vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) of unique and fabulous blade design, great durability and nearly maintenance-free for off-grid applications that require a continuous (no cut-outs) source of power (electricity and heating). The excellent match of aerodynamics and materials give our NJORD turbines unique features such as optimal structural stability, strength, and hence durability to withstand the most extreme wind conditions. Our VAWT can produce electricity at very low wind speeds as well as for high speed of strong winds spinning elegantly, non-stop, and noiseless. As for our commercial strategy, we plan to respond: 1) directly to individual end-users of isolated areas for residential applications (i.e. cabins, homes, and small farms) mainly in Iceland and other EU countries (i.e. the other four Nordics, the UK, Ireland, etc.), 2) telecommunication operators for telecom towers worldwide, and 3) developing countries such as Nigeria, all demanding a reliable and sustainable source of power generation. Expected profit after deducting costs of purchase, manufacture and distribution fees amounts to a cumulative 20M€ turnover market opportunity for the 2020-2024 period.

This project will develop a novel wind turbine blade structural health monitoring system based on digital cameras and image processing using an array of optical markers installed inside the blade. An optical system will be designed, and a digital image correlation technique will be used to track the markers which will characterise the dynamics of the blade during operation for both onshore and offshore wind turbines. The output data will be used to characterise the blade structural condition by monitoring changes in properties in real time in all weather and all operational conditions. For the feasibility study the layout of camera, illumination and markers will be optimised for a real blade using the design geometry and structural properties and proven in a state-of-the-art 7MW wind turbine