• Energy Research
• 2021-2025close
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• 2023 close

Bioenergy is the main source of renewable energy today and it is expected to continue playing a key role in the decarbonisation of the European energy and transport sectors, a prerequisite to achieve the long-term targets of the EU, the Paris Agreement and sustainable development goals. The Implementation Plan of Action 8, Bioenergy and Renewable Fuels for Sustainable Transport (IP8) set detailed targets for the development, demonstration and scale-up of the sector. In order to achieve a step-change, six complementary stakeholders engaged in bioenergy and renewable fuels, joined forces to enable successful implementation within SET4BIO. The overall objective of SET4BIO is to support the full execution of the IP8, i.e. both for research and innovation lines and large-scale projects, acting as competence centre and complementary resource for the Implementation Working Group (IWG8). Industry, academia, institutes, EU Member States and Associated Countries as well as the European Institutions and functions play a key role for successful implementation of IP8. SET4BIO will propose solutions and pathways to overcome essential barriers identified in the IP8 and will engage and coordinate key stakeholders through a participatory approach. The project will identify and promote best practices for development, demonstration and scale-up through a competition-based innovation approach, monitor development, develop a financing roadmap as well as provide policy recommendations and disseminate results. A wide-ranging network must strive towards the same goal and SET4BIO will facilitate the coordination. Several beneficiaries are involved in the IWG8 set up by the European Commission. Commitment and understanding of SET-Plan ambitions on Industry and Member State/Associated Country level will be crucial to the successful implementation. SET4BIO will take an active role in supporting IWG8 and be a catalyst to facilitate the implementation of the actions which are set out in the IP8.

Thermal end-uses (space heating, hot tap water, cooling) represent a major part of electricity consumption in Europe and cause consumption peaks, often when electricity is expensive. Hot tap water is the only thermal end-use provided as a base load over a year and that is stored. Space heating and air conditioning are seasonal thermal end-uses with a high residential electricity consumption. They are not stored at the buildings scale to allow peak shaving of the residential electricity consumption. These statements show the interest to develop appropriate thermal energy storages, suitable for buildings, to reduce the electricity bill of end-users. ComBioTES will thus develop a modular compact thermal energy storage (TES) solution for heating, hot tap water and cooling fully adapted for electricity load shifting. A first modular TES will be able to store hot tap water to be converted into ice storage during summer (cooling needs). A second compact latent TES, using high performances (ΔH≈260kJ/kg) bio-based non-aggressive PCM, will store high heating energy amount, for space heating or hot tap water demands. As thermal end-uses in buildings are different regarding seasonal needs, this concept combines the advantage of a modular TES (high utilization rate) with the high volumetric energy density of a latent TES using a bio-based PCM (high compactness: ≥ 100kWh/m3 ΔT=50°C). The ComBioTES consortium and associated External Advisory Board (Idex, Danfoss and Passive House) involve all relevant key players in energy storage and management: RTOs for development and testing infrastructure and SMEs for manufacturing & commercialization of the technology, and representative of potential customers and end users (building owners &operators). In line with IC7, two partners from CHINA (The Institute of Electrical Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and The Henan Province GuoanHeating Equipment Co., LTD) will promote the ComBioTES concept in this country.

The Sun-to-X project will contribute to European Commission targets for clean energy for all and circular economy by developing a system for the conversion of solar energy into storable chemical fuel. While the concept of solar-to-chemical fuels has been around for decades, the technology has been limited by the economic viability and scalability of the technology. The Sun-to-X project focuses on using solar energy to produce a carbon-free, non-toxic, energy-dense, liquid fuel - Hydrosil, with very good long-term stability, which is applicable in the transport and energy sectors. We will firstly produce hydrogen as chemical intermediate through a photoelectrochemical device. This will then be converted to Hydrosil through a thermochemical reaction. The novelty of our proposal lies in the following three key aspects: 1. Overcoming the known practical challenges of high-performance photoelectrochemical fuel production by using membrane photoelectrode assemblies which can operate with solar energy using only ambient humidity as the water supply 2. Developing reactors for and demonstrating the renewable production of Hydrosil for the first time, using a thermochemical process (using concentrated solar light) 3. Demonstrating a completely decarbonised energy cycle with liquid fuels In addition, we will demonstrate the applicability of Hydrosil towards the transition to a circular economy, by using it for the valorisation of waste plastics.

Energy efficiency lies at the very core of policy interventions for energy security, energy poverty and climate change, while its promoted by technological innovations and investments. However, it seems that these technologies are not adopted by consumers at least to the extent that the assumption of rational behavior would predict. This energy efficiency gap, the difference between expected and realized energy consumption, costs to national economies both in terms of monetary values and emissions. Significant role in mitigating this issue is the exploration of the drivers of individual behavior. There is tremendous opportunity and need for policy-relevant research that utilizes randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental techniques to estimate the returns to energy efficiency investments and the adoption level of energy efficiency programs. EVIDENT proposes several different case studies under the framework of randomized control trials (RCTs) and surveys in order to define the main drivers of individuals’ decision making and to establish new relationships between energy consumption and other fields such as financial literacy. A large number of participants, well stratified samples, innovative design of experiments and state of-the-art econometric models that will be employed in EVIDENT and will contribute in robust estimates and subsequent policy measures for effective policy interventions.

This project will strengthen and increase REN21’s current capacity to influence and enhance the global energy debate and support the EU’s global engagement. The global transition to a renewables-based energy system is not advancing quickly enough nor at the necessary rate to meeting climate and development objectives. While there is progress, particularly in the power sector, renewable energy (RE) uptake continues to lag in the heating, cooling and transport. Regionally, RE uptake remains unequal and investment is not increasing at the necessary pace. RE’s potential remains unexploited particularly in addressing persistent energy access challenges and driving economic development. The increased use of RE in the power sector shows that the transition to RE is possible with effective policy and regulatory frameworks. But progress is hindered, in large part, by persisting myths about RE and the role they can play in the overall energy system. Scientific data and information, therefore, need to be complemented with stronger forms of communication, including communicating about the socio-economic benefits of renewables. A collective narrative, shared by all relevant players, is needed. This “renewables voice” is one that would put forward a global vision that is reflective of local, regional, and sectoral developments. REN21 proposes to create this “renewables voice”. REN21 is the only global community of RE actors from science, academia, governments, NGOs and industry. It provides up-to-date facts, figures and peer-reviewed analysis of global developments in technology, policies and markets to decision-makers. The project will build directly on the collective knowledge and strengths of REN21 members, their constituencies and the broader REN21 community, and will include the already strong engagement of EU players. The result will be a more strategic and amplified voice of the RE sector globally, regionally and locally, using knowledge and data to anchor its messages.

OCONTSOLAR aims to develop new control methods to use mobile sensors mounted on drones and unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) as an integral part of the control systems. Sensors mounted on vehicles have been used for surveillance and for gathering information, however these mobile sensors have not been used so far as an integral part of control systems. Solar power plants will be used as a case study, with the aim of optimizing their operation using spatial irradiance estimations and predictions. Many results will be applicable to other systems such as traffic control in highways and cities, energy management in buildings, micro-grids, agriculture (irrigation and plague control) and flood control. The main objectives and challenges are: 1. Methods to control mobile sensor fleets and integrate them as an essential part of the overall control systems. 2. Spatially distributed solar irradiance estimation methods using a variable fleet of sensors mounted on drones and UGVs. 3. New model predictive control (MPC) algorithms that use mobile solar sensor estimations and predictions to yield safer and more efficient operation of the plants allowing the effective integration of solar energy in systems delivering energy to grids or other systems while satisfying production commitments. OCONTSOLAR includes proofs of concepts by implementation on the Solar Platform of Almeria and on a solar air conditioning plant installed at the host institution.

RoLA–FLEX is an industry driven project which provides innovative solutions to the existing OLAE challenges associated with performance and lifetime, through: (a) the fabrication and upscaling of organic semiconductors with high charge mobilities (up to 10 cm2/Vs) and high power conversion efficiencies (16% in OPV cell and 12% in OPV module); (b) the development of metal oxides for charge carrier selective contacts and metal nanoinks for highly conductive micropatterns with increased environmental stability; (c) the seamless incorporation of high speed laser digital processing in Roll-2-Roll OPV module fabrication and photolithography based OTFT manufacturing and (d) the demonstration of two TRL5+ OLAE prototypes enabled by the developed materials and innovative processes: 1. A smart energy platform for IoT devices powered by ITO-free and flexible OPVs operating at low indoor light conditions. 2. A new generation of bezel-less and fully bendable smart watches integrating FHD, ultra-bright OLCD/OTFT displays. RoLA-FLEX will advance all the aforementioned technologies to at least TRL5 within its timeframe. RoLA-FLEX will create an opportunity for a yearly increase in revenues of almost €400 M only 6 years after its end, accompanied by hundreds of new jobs. A timely investment in the early days of these new markets can ensure significant market share for the SMEs and Industries involved and greatly boost EU’s competitiveness globally.

The ultimate objective of the XFLEX project is to increase hydropower potential in terms of plant efficiency, availability and provision of flexibility services to the Electric Power System (EPS). The high Renewable Energy Sources (RES) scenario of the decarbonisation process relies on a drastic change of the European Union EPS with a massive integration of non-dispatchable RES and disconnection of the so-called conventional units, as greenhouse gases emitters. These changes influence drastically the provision of the power grid balancing, and challenge the EPS operations and safety. It is of upmost importance to provide reliable solutions to support the EPS with more flexibility services. Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) already significantly supports EPS flexibility in terms of regulation capability, fast frequency control, fast start/stop, fast generating to pumping modes transition, high ramping rate, inertia emulation, fault ride through capacity, etc. XFLEX aims to demonstrate an innovative methodology for system integration of hydroelectric technology solutions, variable speed being a key component and a reference, to provide further enhanced flexibility services assessed by a crosscutting analysis of their impact on both the technology and the market aspects. Innovative solutions also target an optimize maintenance plan to decrease the outage time and increase the availability of the plant. Demonstrations are scheduled in the cases of run-of-river, storage and pumped storage HPPs and they cover cases of refurbished, uprated and especially existing HPP to be applied and scaled to any unit size. XFLEX draws the roadmap for the exploitation of its solutions to all the European HPP fleet. A strategic dissemination plan is set to promote the deployment of the demonstrated solutions to stakeholders, to the scientific community and the public and to further support the communication in workshops, conferences, scientific journals, newspapers and various social media.

This project is framed under the topic "SSH aspects of the Clean-Energy Transition" and it tries to interpret the "Challengues facing the carbon intensive regions" within a multi-contextual framework: 1) the de-carbonisation policies; 2) the ongoing processes of de-territorialisation; and 3) the territorial dimension of clean energy transition. These contextual elements are presented in the project, providing an interpretation of the main research questions of the topic.: a) The de-carbonisation of coal and carbon intensive regions risks to be a cul de sac of the energy transition process. Along with this process a set of conflicts emerge and move from local to national and European level and vice-versa. One of the main ideas of the project is analysing these conflicts and the negotiation processes related to them, as well as the political cultures and discourses behind these conflicts; b) The challenges facing coal and carbon-intensive regions are studied in the light of the ongoing process at the territorial level. Another main idea of the project is to identifying the factors of de-territorialisation in action in different coal and carbon-intensive regions and to explain their dynamics and interactions; c) The clean energy transition cannot be understood only as a technological change or as an industrial shift, and it is studied as a socio-economic-psychological process affectng the life of local communities. In this respect the project is focused on the study of the coping strategies from a wide array of perspectives: A multidimensional perspective, combining different disciplinary frameworks; a comparative perspective, developing a comprehensive set of case studies; and a multilevel perspective, involving different key players at territorial, regional, national, European and global level. Each of these strategies will be developed in a specific strand of research: Theoretical strand, Analytic strand, and Pro-active strand.

Wind is one of the leading sources of renewables contributing to EU energy mix, and its exploitation is pivotal to meet many of next environmental and energy policy goals. Europe being one of the world technological leaders, its wind energy sector has evolved into an important industry providing hundreds of thousands of jobs. Due to the limitations of available installation sites onshore, offshore wind is becoming crucial to ensure the further growth of the sector. In this scenario, exploiting the vast wind resources in deeper waters using floating wind farms and developing the required technology will enhance EU’s economy and will contribute to achieve its green energy goals. FLOATECH aims at stimulating this transition by increasing the technical maturity and the cost competitiveness of floating offshore wind energy. This will be achieved by two types of actions. On the one hand, a fully-coupled, aero-hydro-servo-elastic design and simulation environment (named QBlade-Ocean) will be developed. The more advanced modelling theories will lead to a reduction of the uncertainties in the design process and then to more efficient, reliable and cost-effective floating wind turbines. On the other hand, two innovative control techniques will be introduced, i.e. the Active Wave-based feed-forward Control and the Active Wake Mixing, which will lead to an increase of the actual energy yield of floating wind farms. Wave tank and wind tunnel experiments, as well as the application to a utility-size floating wind turbine are foreseen as validation and demonstration methods. The consortium comprises five public research institutions with relevant skills in the field of offshore floating wind energy, and three industrial partners, two of which have been involved in the most recent developments of floating wind systems. An innovation advisory board including stakeholders such as certifiers, research and business networks will support the dissemination of the project results.