SPRING 2011 SPRING
Budapest 2020 Biofuels Car of the Future EU – US innovation
Tamás Fellegi Edit Herczog, MEP Hungarian Minister for National EU Energy Roadmap 2050 Development www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu ÎðÐ d| ËÓÊÊ xgdshvwá xqjdu|
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The publishers of European Energy Innovation would like to offer their sincere thanks to all individuals and organisations who have contributed editorial images photos and Contents illustrations to the magazine. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy 5 Foreword of the content, the publishers of European 6 Innovation – a view Energy Innovation accept no responsibility from the US for errors or omissions. Country Profile – Hungary The contents of European Energy Innovation 8 Budapest – Preparing are protected by copyright. for 2020 12 Interview with Tamás All rights reserved. Fellegi, Hungarian Minister for National 12 European Energy Innovation is published by: Development Prologue Media Ltd Bank Chambers 18 EU Energy Roadmap 29 High Street 2050 – Edit Herczog, EWELL Surrey KT17 1SB MEP United Kingdom 22 Expectations for Algae based biofuels Tel:+44 20 8786 3695 Sales office +44 1372 726135 28 The solar voltaic www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu economic boom Transport Brussels representative office 30 Driving the car of the 145/15 Avenue Molière future – Hydrogen B-1190 – Brussels fuelled vehicles 22 Belgium Tel: + 32 2 347 70 19 33 Driving the car of the future – A future for the To obtain additional copies please email internal combustion [email protected] engine? Technology PUBLISHER 36 ECO Architecture – A Graham Pendred detailed look at two projects in Scotland MANAGING EDITOR and Germany Philip Hunt 41 Towards better- COMMISSIONING EDITOR informed energy 30 Michael Edmund consumption. Interview with Dr Howard Porter, DESIGN & PRODUCTION MD at ESMIG RayHeathDesign.com 43 Sunshine in the fuel tank! – Another nail Website design in the coffin for fossil pulseart.co.uk fuels? 44 Smart Metering – the PRINT future Stones the Printers Limited Unit 10 48 Solar photovoltaic on Acre Estate the brink of economic Wates Way breakthrough Banbury OX16 3ES 49 News 43 www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
European Energy Innovation FOREWORD 5 Foreword
s Europe emerges blinking into the welcome sunlight of spring, there are signs of growing tensions among the various stakeholders involved in energy innovation. Hungary holds the current Presidency of the European Union, and as the interview with the Minister for National ADevelopment Tamás Fellegi makes clear, the country is taking seriously its commitment to increase the ratio of renewable energy sources to 13% by 2020.
And as the piece by Hungarian MEP Edit Herczog (who is also a member of the European Parliament ITRE Committee) stresses, maintaining investment in the energy sector is vital. These investments need to be promoted now, she believes, even with the handicap of the present economic crisis, if Europe is to come close to achieving its 2020 targets.
Some are looking further ahead. The reputable Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales maintains that for the UK, a 100% reduction in carbon emissions is feasible by 2030. While its report “Zero Carbon Britain 2030” focuses on one country only, the organisation’s point that a common sense of purpose is necessary if such challenging targets are to be met, is valid for most societies around the world.
Many think that the commitments made by EU member states to reach such targets should be binding. Chris Davies MEP for example, spokesman for the ALDE group in the European Parliament, commented on recent European Commission proposals on energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by saying, “With fuel prices rising and set to stay high, energy efficiency targets should be made legally binding now. Not to insist upon this amounts to a betrayal of Europe’s interests.”
Others see certain EU targets as unrealistic and beyond the bounds of possibility. Research from the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), as outlined in another article in this issue, suggests that there is simply not enough biomass available in Europe to make EU biofuel targets achievable.
Yet industry seems mostly to be happy with the European Commission’s roadmap to greater energy efficiency. Latest announcements from major energy producers at time of going to press indicate that they are on the whole satisfied with current proposals, and ready to advance to a 25% target by 2020 should the emissions-trading scheme and support for renewables continue to be favourable.
Elsewhere in this issue, US Ambassador to the European Union William E Kennard asks whether it is top- down policies from government or bottom-up actions from the stakeholders themselves that drive successful innovation. He stresses the importance of the “innovation ecosystem”, where government policy works hand-in-hand with the private sector to promote a holistic approach to innovation.
The topic of smart metering is dealt with in some detail in two separate articles, and in a quick look at the automotive sector, we outline how the much-criticised internal-combustion engine has kept pace over the years with tightening regulatory requirements, and the major hydrogen-fuel trial being undertaken by one global auto manufacturer in California.
Philip Hunt Managing Editor
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 6 INNOVATION
Key factors in successful innovation – a view from the US
What drives successful innovation? Top-down policies from government or bottom-up actions that involve the inventors and stakeholders themselves? William E Kennard, US Ambassador to the European Union, gives a view.
epresenting roughly 50 for growth and long-term percent of global GDP job creation, says William E and worth a total of 14 Kennard, US Ambassador to the R million jobs in Europe European Union. But too often and the Americas, the trans- innovation policy is seen only Atlantic economy is a key as government investment in economic relationship. Yet research and development. while the EU and the US often This ignores other government seem economic rivals, when actions that create the acting together on key issues conditions in which innovation they can do much to address and private-sector investment imbalances in the global can thrive. economy and build economic recovery at the same time. A number of factors interact to produce the ideal conditions Which is why eliminating trade for innovation, he believes, barriers and coordinating using the example of the regulatory actions, especially internet to illustrate his theme. in emerging technologies, A combination of factors were the top priorities for lay behind the phenomenal the US/EU Trans-Atlantic growth of the internet in the Economic Council (TEC) in 1990s, including California’s Washington in December networked universities and 2010. The participants sought research institutions, a culture of to identify policies that risk-taking that fuelled venture- would spark innovation and capital investment in start-up underpin recovery. Their companies, research funding objective? To develop a from the US government’s consistent and predictable Advanced Research Projects common environment for agency, a light-touch regulatory business that would encourage environment, favourable the development of new personal and corporate tax technologies, generate jobs for structures, and an intellectual workers and growth for both property-rights system that economies. allowed entrepreneurs to profit William E Kennard is the US Ambassador to the from their inventions. Finally, European Union. PRIME DRIVER FOR GROWTH he notes, from 1995 to 2005, Innovation is a prime driver over half of Silicon Valley’s
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation INNOVATION 7
engineering and technology EU plan includes a streamlined Trans-Atlantic Economic Council launches start-ups had one or more European Research Area and innovation action plan immigrants as key founders. an EU-wide venture-capital regime designed to remove The US/EU Trans-Atlantic Economic Council Collectively, he notes, these bottlenecks which stop ideas (TEC) launched on 17th December 2010 the factors created an ‘innovation from reaching the market.” inaugural Innovation Action Partnership (IAP) ecosystem’ that nurtured the workplan, which will, for the first time, provide Internet’s incredible expansion. By working together, he high level direction to joint EU/US efforts Similar innovation clusters believes, the US and the EU can to strengthen innovation and promote the produced Scandinavia’s launch a new trans-Atlantic era commercialisation of emerging technologies amazing wireless revolution, of innovation. But how is this to and sectors. Spain’s burgeoning renewable- be done? energy industry, and the The IAP’s three main areas of focus are, remarkable biotech cluster “First, we should coordinate 1) develop innovation policies that outside Boston. regulatory policies and encourage productive, growth-enhancing standards for new products activities, 2) assure adequate access to BOTH TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM-UP and conduct joint research and critical raw materials through cooperation “What all these ‘innovation development. We have done in the area of trade policy and on revolutions’ had in common this before. By coordinating collaborative research, including on was an integrated, well- standards for online privacy recycling and substitution, and 3) promote functioning innovation in the late 1990s we helped the development and use of bio-based, ecosystem, where government accelerate the growth of global eco-friendly products. policy worked hand-in-hand e-commerce.” with the private sector. The lesson is that innovation is a Also, he notes, “Emerging holistic process that cannot technologies – renewable be supported by top-down energy, smart grids, health IT, government policies alone; it electric cars – offer promising must also be driven from the areas for cooperation. In bottom up with businesses and regulation and standard- communities leading the way.” setting for new technology platforms like smart grids or The good news, he says, health IT, we can connect our is that both the present markets through more unified US administration and the rules, creating greater scale European Union recognise this. for innovation. We can create “President Obama’s ‘Strategy and connect trans-Atlantic for American Innovation’ and innovation clusters.” the European Commission’s ‘Innovation Union’ are “These are the discussions our comprehensive strategies to leaders had in Lisbon, and encourage innovation,” he these are the areas primed for says. progress, including at the Trans- Atlantic Economic Council “The US strategy combines meeting [17 December 2010]. government investments If we get it right, we will give in education, infrastructure a boost to the trans-Atlantic modernisation and R&D, economy, generating new with private-sector incentives jobs in sectors poised to lead such as research and our economies in the coming experimentation tax credits. The decades.” O www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 8 COUNTRY PROFILE
Budapest – preparing for 2020
udapest, Hungary’s up to 80% of total energy Improving the efficiency of capital, is involved in resources. heating-energy and electricity- two European energy- generating plants is made B efficiency actions; it In Budapest, the city possible with the help both of is an EU Energy City and a administration sees an open-market investments and signatory of the Covenant efficiently organised energy those from public institutions, of Mayors. These initiatives system as a fundamental basis which have the additional commit the participants to for energy security. Decreasing advantage of being able to going beyond EU energy- the energy dependency of mobilise governmental and EU policy objectives, to further the capital is a key target, and funds. reduce CO2 emissions through the city is focusing on energy enhanced energy efficiency investments which support Budapest’s own municipal and cleaner energy production Hungary’s specific energy- energy agency manages the and use. generation policy, which is to city’s approach to reducing support separate, self-sufficient energy consumption, applying Members of the Covenant of heat and electricity supply a standardised energy- Mayors for example commit to among the city districts. utilisation concept across the
reducing CO2 emissions in their capital. It is assisted by selected territories by more than 20% by ENCOURAGING INVESTMENT energy consultancies which 2020 – thereby going beyond CRITICAL help in the development of the targets set out in the EU’s With budget restrictions consumer-friendly energy Energy and Climate Package. limiting the capital’s ability practices. Local authorities have a key role to accomplish large-scale in mitigating climate change; renewable-energy projects The city is striving to make over half of greenhouse gas on its own, such projects tend its heat-energy supply more emissions are created in and by to be carried out with the aid environmentally friendly, cities, which are generally home of central liquid assets gained making use of resources such as to around 80% of the population from tenders realised within joint power generation, waste in Europe, and which consume the new Széchenyi plan. management, and distance-
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heating using renewable energy resources.
KEY BUDAPEST ENERGY RESOURCES In Budapest, production of joint electricity and heating power is mostly maintained by a system of distance-heating. Some 85% of this distance heating is gained from natural-gas based joint-energy production plants (natural gas being the city’s most important energy resource). contracting and procurement The objective is to achieve policies of the city’s biggest perceptible savings in energy- An extended network of public utilities (the BKV Zrt., utilisation together with a heat- distance-heating plants delivers FKF Zrt., taxis, etc.) and other insulation strategy (measure, around 37% of the total energy transport services (city logistics analyse, and potentially used for heating in the city. or sightseeing buses), where enhance), and to introduce However in addition the city areas such as environmental utilization of renewable gains both heat energy (waste- protection and energy use can energy in the process. Key heat) and electricity from the take on greater significance. elements of the programme waste-management plant in Approaches being examined include switching the capital’s Rákospalota. include procurement of more institutions to energy-saving modern and less polluting lighting, and developing a Two key developments for the vehicles, but also ideas such comprehensive green-roof and future are a pair of biomass as more pedestrianisation green-court programme. power plants that are being for down-town areas and developed by FŃtáv Zrt. These congestion charging. Budapest also aims to introduce two plants will play a significant multiple reforms within its most role in producing more heating In procurement policies for important energy management energy for the city from public-utility vehicle fleets institutions and tasks (e.g. renewable resources. (e.g. BKV bus tender), the procurement of energy, energy city is developing methods of agency activities, energy IMPROVING AIR QUALITY promoting more modern drive- consultancies). It intends to Following a decision of the solutions and/or minimising the manage its whole approach city’s General Assembly in energy intensity of different to energy generation and use October 2010, Budapest is systems, in an effort to reduce in a new and more centralised planning a major restructuring environmental harm and cut way, including procurement of its city transport systems. The costs. of electricity and natural gas, eventual goal is to have more supervising building efficiency, efficient and standardized DEVELOPING AN ENERGY- defining necessary investments, transport systems that are also SECURITY STRATEGY identifying financial resources, more frugal in energy use. These A key concern for the city developing tender materials, plans are at present under authorities is to develop an etc. The overall objective development. energy-security strategy for is to improve the energy- Budapest. To this end they are efficiency of the municipality, With the establishment of preparing “energy-cadastre” and optimise institutional the BKK Zrt, changes are and energy-strategy reports for expenditure on energy as well under consideration for the each of the capital’s institutions. as that of the districts. O www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu 10 COMMUNICATION
Inventing the future together
Central Hungarian Innovation Centre and ValDeal Innovations supporting students’ solar energy project
The Solar Decathlon BME Team
HUNGARIAN TEAM AT the usage of solar energy in an innovative solar building. SOLAR DECATHLON EUROPE architectural solutions and The 20 participating teams’ INNOVATION CONTEST to call into being the social performance will be juried on The Solar Decathlon and market support of green the basis of comprehensive Competition is an international technologies. criteria, like architectural, innovation contest of sustainability, energy-efficiency, universities all around the A group of university students construction, aesthetic and world, organised by the U.S. from Hungary submitted a awareness. The jury also takes Department of Energy and successful tender to the contest, into consideration how the the Spanish Government since for this it can take part in the building can cope with the 2002. Its goal is to popularise 2012 Madrid event, creating market needs.
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu COMMUNICATION 11
COOPERATION PARTNERS FROM THE MARKET The Central Hungarian Innovation Centre Nonprofit Company (CHIC) is Hungary’s most experienced organisation creating a talent platform and network for inventors and innovative SMEs. CHIC is a recognised brand both in Hungary and abroad in renewable energy issues. It organises joint projects and consortia for the examination and dissemination of the usage of renewable energy sources, and aims to increase energy efficiency. Besides the use of solar energy CHIC deals with other sectors of the renewable energy market, having an important role in the coordination of the work of the Hungarian Hydrogen and The Model of the Hungarian Solar Building Fuel Cell National Technology Platform. BME, a student team, that are looking for further sponsors ValDeal Innovations is Hungary’s will represent Hungary and willing to promote the project first business incubator and the Budapest University of by securing construction innovation management Technology and Economics materials. For more information company, dealing with the (BME) at the Solar Decathlon on the Odooproject and Solar commercialisation of Hungarian Europe Competition 2012. Decathlon Europe, please visit inventions. It considers the The team is composed by www.odooproject.com O Hungarian project of the Solar architects, mechanical Decathlon Competition a great engineers, electrical engineers, opportunity for the presentation designers, environmental of the best Hungarian engineers and economists. inventions and technologies on Their aim is the construction international markets. CHIC and of a solar-energy-powered ValDeal Innovations supports the house conforming to the needs sole Hungarian team and their of Hungary’s environmental project named Odooproject and social climate and also Contact details: of Solar Decathlon Europe competitive on the market. In Central Hungarian Innovation Centre NpC. Competition, in cooperation order to keep environmental 2., Gyár u. Budaörs, Hungary with the Budapest University of damage at a minimum, Phone:+36.23.887.500 Technology and Economics the team tries to work with Fax: +36.23.887.501 (BME). material readily available E-mail: [email protected] locally (such as wood or Website: www.chic.hu THE ODOOPROJECT paper), and also applies a Contact person: Odooproject is named the number of energy-efficient, Mrs. Ildikó Polgár-Májer, Executive Director project of Solar Decathlon innovative technologies. They www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 12 COUNTRY PROFILE
Tamás Fellegi, Minister for National Development, Hungary
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation COUNTRY PROFILE 13
EUROPE 2020 Interview with Hungarian Minister for National Development Tamás Fellegi
Hungary’s Presidency of the European Union has come at a time of radical change in energy markets across Europe. As part of its commitment to the Europe 2020 plan, Hungary is expected to increase the ratio of renewable energy sources to 13% by 2020. Minister for National Development Tamás Fellegi explains how his government is going about it.
Q What is the progress on the become a breakthrough point plans. EU REAP (Renewable for the Hungarian economy. Energy Action Plan) for The calculations within the Hungary? The Action Plan marks out all Plan were made in line with the grant programmes and the Green-X model and co- A The Hungarian financial incentives that may ordinated by the Hungarian government considers this facilitate projects conducive to Energy Office. The energy action plan as an opportunity. renewable energy utilisation. utilisation trajectory was During the finalisation of the It includes an outline of the developed by the Economy National Action Plan for regulatory incentives and Research Institute with Renewable Energy, the administrative methods for reliance - amongst others government restructured promoting the spread of - on the transport-related priorities in compliance with alternative energy sources, predictions of the Institute of national interests in order to and other measures (including Transport Sciences, a non-profit give momentum to solutions education and awareness company. which have a higher local job raising) are set out that will creation potential. change social conditions to this Before its submission to the end. European Commission, the In addition to promoting government held both public the realisation of energy The Plan itself benefited from and professional consultations and climate change policy the support of a consortium on the contents, giving industrial objectives, these measures established by the European participants, civil, scientific and will serve Hungary’s economic Bank for Reconstruction and professional organisations the development, job creation and Development (EBRD), with opportunity to comment on sustainable rural development. members who have abundant the draft. As a first step, seven In effect, we hope that by experience in the analysis of professional forums were held, boosting the green economy, renewable energy utilisation, each with the participation of the application and spread of policy building and the 35-40 organisations, to suggest renewable energy resources will preparation of national action content for the preliminary www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 14 COUNTRY PROFILE
may even bring production possibilities relying on Hungarian R&D, which could create thousands of new jobs.
The country has excellent agro-ecological features for manufacturing biomass in a competitive way that is sustainable over the long term. In rural areas, biomass is one of the most easily accessible and cheap energy sources. Thus its use for power generation goes beyond energy policy objectives and may even become a significant additional resource in agriculture and rural development.
Biomass could contribute to power-engineering objectives based on agricultural by- Testing samples for likely energy content. products, at the same time as allowing the replacement of fossil fuels and offering compilation of the draft. In and what kind of percentages considerable job-creation the second step, specialists will they be of the total? potential. In terms of volume, at the Ministry of National up to 2020 the largest increase Development discussed the A Due to its geographic and in renewable-energy utilisation key contents with some 26 geophysical situation, will be seen in the use of solid non-profit and social partners. Hungary primarily expects to biomass for power generation. The procedure closed with a promote the opportunities consultation involving the wider inherent in geothermic energy Regarding geothermic energy, public. sources and biomass. Similarly, the Hungarian geothermic we expect an increase in the average is nearly 1.5 times Similarly to the majority of use of solar energy, primarily in the global norm, thus making EU member states, Hungary the area of heat generation thermal energy one of the has set a more ambitious (e.g. solar collectors). country’s most significant target (14.65%) than the 13% resources. The widest possible undertaking as an attainable While electricity generation is utilisation of these opportunities ratio of renewable sources. a significant aspect of using will play a key role in achieving The Hungarian government renewable energies, it will Hungary’s renewable energy approved the final Action Plan have only a supplementary objectives. on 22 December 2010, and the role in the plan. However document was then submitted in heat generation we can Geothermic energy for heat to the European Commission. expect a major breakthrough supply can include for example in the use of renewable energy heating buildings, homes, spas Which energy resources sources, primarily based on and greenhouses, and the Q will be most significant for using biomass and geothermic supply of hot and cold water. Hungary in achieving the target, energy. These developments Making use of such resources
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to heat buildings is a priority biofuel production plants with very strict requirements have to task. The water yield and heat a capacity of 5-10 thousand be applied as a condition of output of natural hot springs metric tons per annum, granting support; namely, the makes possible the supply of operated with raw materials need to prove an actually both major building complexes deriving from local resources existing heat market. Previously, and district heating at many within easy reach, i.e. not plants suitable for heat and smaller communities. In the exceeding 40 km in distance. electricity generation were often period to come, we must focus built without this requirement. primarily on the economical use On the use of biofuels – current Consequently, such plants could of these existing thermal energy technology limitations restrict sell electricity at a higher price capacities. the wider take-up of biofuels in and operate as a paying transport. We need to promote venture even if heat energy was As shown above the planned the use of vehicles more suited released to the air. use of geothermic energy to using high-biofuel content in serves primarily the purpose of engine fuels, especially in mass In order to achieve genuine thermal energy (district-heating, transport. To this end, in the efficiency, we want the heating public institutions, years to come the infrastructure investment to be repaid by residential buildings in local facilitating the spread of green selling heat energy to local government ownership, market mass transport, including communities at lower prices. gardens, etc.). While widely manufacturing and innovative Since the primary goal is not used already, the exploitation capacities, must be improved. electricity but heat generation, of geothermic energy for this means that the government heating could more than treble Q Will cogeneration of heat is not thinking in terms of large by 2020. and power remain an power plants, rather it wishes to important part of the energy support local solutions in the first Q Do you also plan any generation mix, and how does place. For these power plants, innovative energy this work in practice? e.g. which the use of biomass and biofuels approaches in the area of new fuel sources are best suited for as well as terrestrial and thermal fuels? For example in reducing cogeneration approaches? heat are being encouraged. greenhouse gas emissions? A The role and benefit of Q Will meeting the targets A Similarly to solid biomass, cogenerating plants is require the construction of Hungary’s outstanding inevitable in Hungary’s power new power stations? And if so, agro-ecological features have system. Now however, new and of what type? a high biofuel manufacturing potential – both for first- generation and even more for Hungary's renewable-energy resources as part of total energy consumption, second-generation biofuels. 2010 and 2020 Over the next decade, Hungary Energy carrier 2010 (PJ) 2020 (PJ) 2010 (%) 2020 (%) will endeavour to use raw Water power 0.66 PJ 0.86 PJ 1.07% 0.71% materials, especially in the field Geothermic 4.50 PJ 16.48 PJ 7.30% 13.67% of liquid biofuels, that do not compete with food production. Heat pump 0.16 PJ 6.00 PJ 0.26% 4.98% Priority will be assigned to Solar energy 0.25 PJ 3.29 PJ 0.41% 2.73% production systems utilising Wind power 2.45 PJ 5.57 PJ 3.97% 4.62% cellulose and lignocellulose. Biomass 42.60 PJ 61.18 PJ 69.10% 50.75% Biogas 2.03 PJ 4.78 PJ 3.29% 3.97% In agriculture, and specifically Transport 9.00 PJ 22.4 14.60% 18.58% animal husbandry, the Hungarian model includes Total (excluding transport) 52.65 PJ 98.15 PJ 100.00% 100.00% the promotion of small-size Total (including transport) 61.65 PJ 120.55 PJ 100.00% 100.00% www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 16 COUNTRY PROFILE
use local renewable sources?
A The 2030 energy-policy concept currently under finalisation relies heavily on local energy-generation capacities. According to the plans, energy sources required for local electricity plants and heat generators will be from resources produced within the region. These resources can come from forestry and agricultural by-products, the product of energy plants and biogas. The point is that energy will be generated and used within the same region.
For this reason, we expect to see the presentation of complete product paths in the tender applications. In our experience, such systems can secure a living for 50-60 people in a micro-region. A further “Hungarian geothermic energy is nearly1.5 economic benefit is the fact times the global norm, making thermal energy that these employees will spend one of the country’s most significant resources.” their income locally, and thus the local community will profit from them. A According to expert generation capacity will be forecasts, Hungary’s required between 2009 and Q Can you indicate what electricity consumption may 2025. Roughly one third of the level of resources are increase by 1.5% per annum on requirement may be covered earmarked for supporting average up to 2025, initially by newly built nuclear-power investments in the renewable slowly but probably gathering capacity. The rest must be energy sector under the pace later on. The total amount provided from other sources, National Development Plan? of additional requirement primarily from renewable calculated up to 2025 is not energy resources, or perhaps A The Government intends likely to significantly exceed through combined plants to finance the use of 1500 MW, which could be connected to natural gas if the renewable energy sources from covered if the current 9000 MW local provision requirements various funds, and the tenders capacity is gradually increased. can be met. announced in the New Széchenyi Plan - based on funds However in the next few years, Q What are the advantages granted by the European Union out-of-date power plants of decentralised energy - provide only a part of these. producing roughly 4000 MW generation, rather than large This grant form will support will need to be put out of centralised facilities? Is there a investment projects by service. For this reason at least place still for smaller power approximately HUF 40 billion 6000 MW of new electricity stations that are optimised to (approx. EUR 150 million). O
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu COMMUNICATION 17 Budapest University of Technology and Economics the residence of R+D+I
BME has been awarded with for education and research the career growth of talented the “Research University” title form four groups: youth. in 2010 and parallel to the TÁMOP grant a comprehensive RESEARCH KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER development programme has Current BME energy researches Information exchange plays a been launched to refurbish the lay out the fundamentals for vital role in the co-operation professionalism of the University the successful completion of between the university and its in five major research areas as the strategic objectives. The industrial partners (multinational follows: research fields and aims are the companies or SMEs). In relation • Sustainable energy following: to research, it is worthwhile to • Vehicle technology, transport exploit the opportunities offered and logistics Competitiveness: Contribution by the knowledge transfer • Biotechnology, health and to a cost effective energy infrastructure of the university environment protection supply that reinforces and also to actively participate • Nanophysics, sustainable development; in further improving this system. nanotechnology and increasing energy efficiency; Besides, the continuous materials science developing a knowledge base development of cooperation • Intelligent environment and for energy policy. among research facilities within e-technologies the university is our priority. Environment and climate The research programme protection: Decreasing global COOPERATION strengthens the university being and local pollutant emissions; We enlarge the cooperation recognized as an outstanding carbon-free and carbon with new partners and institution of innovation in neutral electricity production improve it among BME, other Hungary and become a and its system level support; domestic and foreign research European level upper-class cogeneration; increasing facilities (universities, research university. and complex utilization of institutes) as well as national renewable energy sources and international energy and BME’s mission is to contribute energy policy organisations. to energy challenges with Supply security: Safe nuclear effective solutions through its energy; limitation of natural While achieving strategic goals, research programmes. The gas use; increased use of BME is aspired to maintain most crucial is to secure the domestic fuels. its leader role as well as to sustainability of energy supply – strengthen cooperation with its competitiveness, its security EDUCATION industry partners on RDI projects of supply, environmental and Research findings and and to join the new Széchenyi climate protection – in balance experiences are constantly Development Plan. O with the financial pressure built in the education. MSc imposed on society. and PhD students progressively participate in university Contact details: Innovation – Laszlo Vajta, Dean, Faculty of Electrical IMPLICATIONS AND researches. Jointly with our Engineering and Informatics, [email protected] SUGGESTIONS industrial partners, we set- Based on the goals of the up and run a motivation Energy Research – Gyula Grof, Head, Department of research strategy the key issues programme in order to support Energy Engineering, [email protected]
Development of quality oriented and harmonized R+D+I strategy and functional model at BME TÅMOP-4.2.1/B-09/11/KMR-2010-002 Budapest University or Technology and Economics www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 18 COUNTRY PROFILE
Competitiveness and energy efficiency go hand in hand
Edit Herczog, MEP The coming EU Energy Roadmap 2050 aims to decrease greenhouse emissions by 80%, and at the same time, increase energy efficiency by 20%. In spite of strong political commitment, a significant question has to be raised, namely, how will the community finance all this? My argument is that beyond the environmental aspects, the economic need to increase competitiveness is also pointing towards greater energy efficiency.
nergy efficiency has cost savings, only a quarter of More and more people now undoubtedly begun to them actually seek professional emphasise the significance of find a place in the minds advice. efficiency improvements, not E and communications only on the consumer side, but of EU decision makers. During It is alarming that the share in technology development for discussions on green energy of those seeking advice on production and transportation. and the low-carbon economy, energy efficiency reaches The replacement of outdated the issue of increasing 40-50% in Germany, Austria power plants, pipelines and efficiency on both the or Belgium, while the the development of intelligent consumers’ and the producers’ figure remains at only 15% networks are the most urgent side is now a common one. among central-European tasks. The last one alone entrepreneurs. The same could result in a decrease Yet Europe today still shows a applies for households. of consumption by 9-10% in rather diverse picture in this Europe; it is enough to take field. It is not uncommon for The EU has realised that into consideration the impact a Hungarian confectioner to households and public of intelligent metering. produce ice cream using three buildings account for 40% times as much energy as his of the continent’s energy And this is where we face Austrian competitor. And while consumption and 36% of the problem; nearly 1,000 nine out of ten entrepreneurs in its emissions. Tightened billion euro are necessary for Europe believe that an energy regulations in this area are, it improving energy systems, due-diligence would result in seems, unavoidable. of which the modernisation
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation COUNTRY PROFILE 19
of networks alone accounts transport infrastructure for 200 billion. Even including between 2011 and 2020 could potential private sector result in the creation of 800,000 investments, at least 100 billion jobs and increase the total in public investment is missing. GDP by 19 billion euro by 2020.
Yet the room to manoeuvre in However, it is not only the decision-making is shrinking. capital needed to take With the restructuring of these urgent steps that is the global economy, we missing in Europe. Rare-earth increasingly have to face elements, necessary for the the fact that economic digital revolution and clean competition has become the technology are exclusively competition of large regions. to be found in China; and, In this respect the EU is lagging according to the latest news, behind. While Asia and the the Asian superpower uses its USA seem to be getting out raw material wealth to serve its of the crisis, the EU is not. Due own economic interests. to its political structure, the EU remains much engaged As if this is not enough, then we with its own internal problems, can also touch upon the lack of a factor that not only forms engineers, which has a multiple an obstruction to dynamic effect on Europe. This issue is not development, but also hinders just about the technology-skills a series of (energy) strategy gap between Europe’s ageing decisions. population and the younger population of the emerging To indicate the fierceness of regions. Take a close look at the competition faced, the the world’s innovation map, EU’s SET Plan has earmarked and besides Silicon Valley and 73 billion dollars for the the Asian Tigers, you will find development of clean energy hardly any significant European technologies. This figure may innovation hub. But the world’s seem huge at first, but it soon technology-patent centres comes to seem like Gulliver are able to provide attractive arriving in the land of the conditions, careers and high Giants. According to a recent salaries to masses of talented report, the Asian clean-energy young engineers. tigers are spending over 500 billion dollars on research So we can see that apart between 2009 and 2013, from declaring energy-policy compared to the US 170 billion objectives, several real (which includes investments diplomatic, education and that have already begun). science-policy aspects have to be taken into consideration We must not forget that by if we are to achieve real investing in the energy sector progress in the field of energy we create huge economic efficiency. What we need is potential. The implementation speed – remember that the of all the projects needed single non-renewable resource Edit Herczog, MEP in the field of transfer and is TIME. O www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu 20 COMMUNICATION
Europe’s cities – crucial in the climate race and looking for a winning strategy
As 75% of the EU’s population carbon reduction target of potentially irreversible decisions. live in towns and cities with 80%-95% by 2050 into targets This is why sufficient support for more than 5,000 inhabitants, for different sectors. urban policy and planning is so climate action is expected to • The target for the built important. be concentrated in Europe’s environment is a 90% cities. Here is the background: reduction. This is reflected in The IEE project group POLIS • The global policy goal is the Energy Performance of (www.polis-solar.eu) assessed formulated as follows: “to Buildings Directive (EPBD), the solar energy capabilities keep the increase in global requiring nearly-zero energy, of various European cities’ average temperature below i.e. all new buildings in Europe structures. This project brings 2°C above pre-industrial should be virtually carbon- together Lyon and Paris levels” (Cancun Agreement). neutral by the end of 2020 at (France), Munich (Germany), • The aim of energy policy is to the latest. Vitoria-Gasteiz (Portugal, plus transform Europe into a highly expertise from Spain) and competitive, energy-efficient, In its 2011 Energy Efficiency Malmö (Sweden), each of low-carbon economy, while Plan the EU Commission puts which has a different context securing the supply and buildings and cities in the and experiences and is in affordability of energy. spotlight. Ongoing programmes a different stage of urban • An EU Commission draft “A such as Intelligent Energy for development. Representatives roadmap for moving to a Europe (IEE), the Covenant share knowledge on urban low-carbon economy in of Mayors and the new Smart solar planning and encourage 2050” splits the overall EU Cities Initiative together further activities within a showcase innovative cost- network of experts. Key efficient approaches to activities are identifying solar achieving the low-carbon potentials based on an urban cities of the future and offer fabric analysis, realising these attractive incentives for potentials, implementing frontrunners. concrete urban planning measures, as well as improving However, there are big financial and legislative differences between the measures. Interim results include approaches. While some cities draft solar action plans and have already implemented pilot actions in the cities. The sophisticated climate concepts, aim of POLIS is to optimize others have only just put the the implementation of solar topic on their agendas. The systems in urban structures. extent of the challenge and An integrated interdisciplinary the long timescale for climate planning process will boost action creates a high risk solar development in the Todayminus 80 to 95% Future Source: Ecofys of insufficiently thought out, participating cities. POLIS’ pool
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of successful examples, strategies targets. Recommendations include (GIS) were used in an innovative and instruments will soon be optimising energy efficiency in way. GIS allows the structuring and available for other cities. buildings through renovation, a merging of large amounts of data, long-term approach to developing creates transparency and credible An award-winning climate concept urban low-carbon districts, the use results, and visualizes these results on for Norderstedt (Germany), which is of renewable sources of energy the town map, e.g. the location of supported by the German Ministry and district heating, target-group different types of urban area, energy of Environment, is used to guide the tailored campaigns and the supply structures and heat demand city’s decision makers on strategies, participation of both target groups in buildings. As a result, policy makers measures and related costs and and investors. can make informed decisions on benefits in order to achieve their policy priorities and priority areas in ambitious 2030 carbon reduction Geographical Information Systems their locality. O
infrastructure heating demand solar potential
GIS based visualisation of different urban sustainability aspects Source: Ecofys
Dr. Andreas Hermelink Ecofys Built Environment Tel: 0049 – 30 2977357950 [email protected] The Energy Report is available at www.ecofys.com/energyreport.
About Ecofys - www.ecofys.com Ecofys is a leading knowledge and innovation company that operates in the field of renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change. We deliver research and service solutions from product development to implementation management. Our clients are energy companies, financial institutions and corporate businesses, governments and local authorities, international institutions, project developers, housing associations, building companies and energy consumers around the world.
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 22 BIOFUELS Expectations for algae based biofuel production
Tredici M.R. Microalgae have been identified as a possible alternative source for biofuel production and in recent years the interest in these photosynthetic microorganisms has exploded. The main reasons for such recognition are that microalgae are considered far more productive than traditional crops used for the feedstock production, do not compete for fertile soils, require no pesticides and can be produced in seawater or using agricultural, industrial or domestic wastewaters. In addition, algal cultures consume large amounts of CO2 (about two kilograms of CO2 per kg of algal biomass) while producing feedstocks suitable for both biodiesel and bioethanol production, high quality proteins for the food, cosmetic, chemical or nutraceutical industries as well as treated water.
In spite of the inherent potential of microalgae as a renewable fuel source, no company seems to possess yet a mature technology able to compete with fossil fuels. The higher capital and operating costs of microalgae farming compared to conventional agriculture, and unverified positive energy balance and sustainability still prevent the development of the technology to commercial scale. Yet, it is clear that the industry is growing and full commercialisation is a question of when not if.
The most important barriers that • Do not require herbicide or within the “Biofuels from algae” must be cleared are: pesticide applications call, aim to demonstrate the • Production of selected strains • Can fix efficiently CO2 from feasibility of algae biofuel at the large scale required for different sources, including production at the 10-ha scale. biofuel production (hundreds industrial exhaust gases However in the US, signs of of hectares) must be proven. • Can use nutrients contained a rethinking start to appear. • The Net Energy Return for in wastewaters for their For example in February 2011 algae based biofuels must at growth Shell quit its algae biodiesel least compete with current • Can accumulate sugars, research project because a alternatives. which can be fermented to commercial future was not • Fully loaded production costs produce bioethanol seen, or the recommendation of algae biomass should be • Can synthesize many (strongly opposed by the Algal less than Á0.5 per kg. valuable co-products such as Biomass Organization) of the proteins, vitamins, hormones RAND Corporation’s January However, like crude oil, algae and polyunsaturated 2011 report, “Alternative Fuels production also generates fatty acids that can be for Military Applications,” that by-products such as protein, commercialized to integrate the military should abandon its carbon credits/related products foods and feed efforts focused on utilizing fuels and treated water that also • Can be cultivated on land derived from biomass, including need to be considered, as oil unsuitable for agriculture algal biomass . may be a minor component in using saline or brackish the biomass. waters. On one hand, we must accept that mass algae cultivation ADVANTAGES AND CURRENT These benefits have drawn is a complex not yet well- STATUS significant interest from understood process, on the Microalgae present several companies and investors in other it is to say that many advantages over plants as recent years. In Europe at least companies in the US did an source of biofuels. 20 large projects related to early (and too enthusiastic) • Have less dependency on algae biomass and biofuels start based on the fact (untrue) seasonal variations and have been launched within the that algae can provide 100 require less freshwater than Seventh Framework Programme times as much biofuel per conventional agriculture of the European Community. hectare than traditional • Cultivation in arid regions is Three of these, BIOFAT, ALL- crops. This has complicated possible GAS and InteSusAl, approved the market development,
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation BIOFUELS 23
but at the heart of algae • May achieve a higher solution will be in combined development is the question of efficiency of solar energy systems: photobioreactors for production on a commercial conversion compared to inocula production followed by scale. open systems. open ponds for bulk cultivation. • Limits the risk of This combination of production PRODUCTION PROCESS contamination. approaches is fundamental for World commercial production • Allow more species to be algae based biofuels. O of microalgae amounts to cultivated. less than 10,000 tons per year, • Achieve a higher cell mainly marketed as high-value concentration with significant Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Agrarie, human nutritional supplements, savings in harvesting and Università degli Studi di Firenze, Piazzale specialty animal feeds and medium preparation and delle Cascine 24, 50144 Firenze, Italy pharmaceutical products . Most handling. of the production is from open References ponds or lagoons rather than Unfortunately these 1. Darzins A, Pienkos P, Edye L (2010) Current closed photobioreactors (PBR) advantages rarely translate status and potential for algal biofuels and this is due to cost. At the into a significantly higher areal production. BioIndustry Partnes & NREL, large scale, photobioreactors productivity and compensate Bioenergy Task 39-Report T39-T2 (6 August are more expensive to build for the higher cost of PBR, 2010) pp.131. and operate than raceways although new designs are 2. Rodolfi L, Chini Zittelli G, Bassi N, ponds, and this element emerging all the time, such as Padovani G, Biondi N, Bonini G, Tredici is critical for commercial the GWP-II (commercialized by MR (2009) Microalgae for oil: strain production. Fotosintetica & Microbiologica selection, induction of lipid synthesis and Srl, Italy) that shows construction outdoor mass cultivation in a low-cost Most of the start-ups in the costs similar to or lower than photobioreactor. Biotechnol Bioeng 102: algae biofuel sector, both in those of lined ponds. 100−112. the US and Europe, focus on 3. Tredici MR (2010) Photobiology of PBR as cultivation systems, Although open ponds are microalgae mass cultures: understanding but few designs have been much cheaper to build the tools for the next green revolution. tested at pilot-scale and none and operate than PBR, Future Science - Biofuels 1: 143−162. developed at the (large) scale they are strongly limited by 4. Tredici MR, Chini Zittelli G, Rodolfi L necessary for a complete contamination (by other (2010) Photobioreactors In: Flickinger evaluation. algae, grazers, bacteria) MC, Anderson S (eds.) Encyclopaedia and local climatic conditions of Industrial Biotechnology: Bioprocess, The benefits of photobioreactor (for example the difficulty of Bioseparation, and Cell Technology. John technology are mainly: maintaining open algal cultures Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, USA. Vol 6 • It provides a close more during the tropical rainy pp. 3821–3838. controllable environment. season). Many believe that the www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu 24 COMMUNICATION
Biogas, where fuel versatility meets renewable utility
t is now apparent that the world needs an urgent rethink of its dependence I upon fossil fuels, in favour of developing renewable energy sources. A great deal of progress has been made with many technologies, including wind power, photovoltaic electricity and the use of biomass, but perhaps it is also time to take a closer look at one fuel that may have been overlooked: Biogas.
Biogas is a fuel similar to natural gas, and consists mainly of methane. It is produced by the anaerobic decomposition by microorganisms, of food waste, manure or energy plant crops; some is also produced in sewage plants and landfill sites. The most common use for biogas is in combined heat and power plants (CHPs).
Wherever it has been used in Europe, biogas has shown itself to be an extremely versatile energy source. Not only does it provide electricity and heat, but it can also be used as a transport fuel, or even fed into the conventional national gas grid. But biogas has another major advantage: aside from within the gas grid, it can be easily stored in suitable storage tanks. This means that biogas can be held on tap and used to balance the natural variations in the output of other
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu COMMUNICATION 25
renewable technologies, as well to 50mbar and capacities up as boosting electricity supply at to 10.000m³, while the tank- times of peak demand. mounted versions may be placed on concrete or steel Sattler AG is a family business, tanks for use in the agricultural now into its fifth generation. setting. With thousands of its installations in use worldwide, it has been Sattler AG believes that biogas the leading force in the storage merits greater consideration in Contact details: of biogas for thirty years. any future renewable energy SATTLER AG This is principally because it portfolio planning. But it would Sattlerstraße 45, 8041 Graz, Austria believes that the storage of a also argue that, with an T +43(0)316-4104-0 versatile fuel requires a versatile extensive installation base in [email protected] approach. The external versions Germany and a great deal of www.sattler-ag.com of Sattler’s threequarter- accumulated experience, there CENO TEC GmbH spherical, double membrane is already a sound platform for Am Eggenkamp 14, 48268 Greven, Germany gas storage tanks have producing more sustainable T +49 (2571) 969-0 become the industry standard energy from this fuel. Biogas - [email protected] for gas storage at pressures up the renewable all rounder. O www.ceno-tec.de www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu 26 COMMUNICATION
DEBCO Project
DEBCO PARTNERS: 1. Enel Engineering and Innovation (coordinator) (Demonstration of 2. Electrabel Large Scale Biomass 3. PPC 4. Tractebel Co-Firing and Supply 5. Matuz 2, 4, 7 9 6, 12, 15 Chain Integration) 6. University of Stuttgart (IFK) 14 project is a 7. Laborelec 8. RSE 1, 8, 11, 13 16, 17 collaborative project 9. ECN in the framework of 10. CERTH 11. Agriconsulting 5 FP7 program, that 12. VGB PowerTech involves 17 partners. 13. IFRF 14. Doosan Babcock 3, 10 Enel Engineering 15. Alstom Power and Innovation is 16. Wroclaw University of Technology the coordinator. The 17. PCC Rokita project started in January 2008 and will last four years.
The DEBCO project responds investigation and evaluation to the need for further of the advanced co-firing operational experience in high techniques with particular share biomass co-firing using attention being paid to different type of fuels. The the critical plant areas, i.e. project aims to demonstrate fuel handling and injection, and assess, on a long term combustion and boiler basis, the advanced and performance, boiler integrity innovative co-firing techniques (slagging and fouling, that are capable of achieving corrosion), performance of higher shares of biomass up flue gas cleaning devices, to 50% more on a thermal overall electricity net efficiency basis. These objectives will and the utilisation of the solid be achieved through a residues. programme of research activities and large-scale The three demo plants under demonstrations. investigation are:
Three demo plants have been 1. Rodenhuize power plant selected for the long-term – GDF Suez (Belgium): the monitoring and assessment of main issue of the Rodenhuize the most relevant applications demo activity is the such as: different fuel supply demonstration of large- chain scenarios, fuel qualities scale biomass co-firing at (agriculture residues, energy increasing share up to 50% crops, wood pellets, RDF of thermal input and the – Refused Derived Fuel), basic design of pc-boiler
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Figure 1: Scheme of activities organization of DEBCO project.
conversion to 100% biomass possibility to use biomass or The experience of DEBCO combustion. Now the even other secondary fuels project will be relevant for refurbishment of the power characteristic of the Greek future co-firing projects plant to 100% biomass is on- region for large co-firing including both the retrofit of going. application with local lignite. existing plants and greenfield advanced coal-fired power 2. Fusina power plant – Enel The demonstration activities are plants. This will assist the (Italy): the demonstration supported by the R&D activities ongoing efforts in most activity aims to assess and and the required engineering European countries to increase extend the operational activities to implement the portion of electricity experience of co-firing necessary adaptations. A supplied from renewable biomass with specific scheme of project organization sources. O focus on the use of is shown in figure 1. Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) containing large share of The practical experience and biodegradable fraction. technical know-how developed Since 2004 RDF co-firing within the DEBCO project has been performed will be reported in a series of DEBCO project: www.debco.eu continuously on two 320 guidebooks and dissemination Ms. Silvia Lattanzi MWel coal-fired boilers, with of relevant information and Enel Engineering and Innovation – Technical Area a share of 5% of thermal results to technical and non- Research input on each unit. technical audiences. The Via Andrea Pisano 120, Pisa – ITALY overall objective is to enhance Email: [email protected] 3. Kardia power plant – PPC the future use of biomass and (Greece): the aim of the to facilitate the creation of Acknowledgements: the preparation of this article has Kardia demonstration a sustainable energy market received funding from Seventh Framework Programme project is to investigate the across Europe. under Grant Agreement n°TREN/FP7EN/218968 “DEBCO”. www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 28 SOLAR Solar air-conditioning in residential sector: the potential of parabolic trough collectors Maurizio De Lucia, Davide Fissi, Christian Paolo Mengoni, Stefano Toccafondi, University of Florence, [email protected]
he energy demand has the last years research activities are still other sectors in which been increasing in the last have been focused to the the use of solar energy systems decades due especially to development of Concentrated would be very interesting: an Tthe continuous economic Solar Power Plants (CSP) based ESTIF study (European Solar growth of emerging countries: on the use of parabolic trough Thermal Industry Federation) in 2008, EU and Member States collectors (PTC) with large made on 2009 highlighted that signed a commitment for the aperture and high-concentration there is a very important market 20% reduction of the CO2 ratio, which are able to produce in the industrial process heat and emission, the 20% increase of the electric power by converting in the heating&cooling sectors energy efficiency and of the use the sun’s energy into high- (Figure 1). of renewable energy sources, in temperature heat (about 450°C). respect of 2005 levels, but, there Many CSP plants have been In 2006, the final energy demand is still a long way to run for the already installed all over the in the EU-27 countries was 13,609 achievement of targets in 2011. world, especially in the USA, TWh: industry was accounted Spain and Italy, and first results for 28%, the transport sector for However, very important results have been highlighting the large 31%, the households sector for have been achieved for what potential in the energy market, 26% and the service sector for relates to the spreading of especially in Europe. 15% of the overall final energy renewable sources, in particular demand. Besides the transport for solar energy systems, both The CSP is a big portion of the sector all the other sectors show photovoltaic and thermal. In global energy market but there considerable heat demand
Figure 1 Final energy consumption by sectors in Figure 2 Final energy consumption in EU 27 : EU 27 in 2006 share of heat in 2006 [Total : 4640 TWh] [Total : 13609 TWh]
n Service 15% n High temperature heat >250˚C 15% n Households 26% n Low temperature heat <250˚C 34% n Industry 28% n Electricity and transport 51% n Transport 31%
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation SOLAR 29
and therefore a potential for ranges higher than 100°C (up of energy efficiency and costs. solar thermal energy use: the to 250°C) and they are able to total heat demand in the EU-27 provide direct steam generation In last decade, many research was 6,668 TWh (49%) and the project have been financed low temperature heat was The PTC is a system that by the EU in the 6th and 7th accounted for 4,640 TWh, which tracks constantly the sun and Framework programs (FP6, was 34% of the total final energy concentrates the sunlight onto FP7), mainly focused on the consumption (Figure 2). a central stainless-steel tube development of small scaled receiver with a selective coating energy systems that would Those results demonstrate that, that transfers the heat to a exploit the solar energy for the if solar thermal will contribute thermo-vector fluid. combined production of heat significantly to the overall and cooling energy (SHC plants). heating demand in the EU-27 PTC collectors for CSP system countries then the main focus already demonstrated their In FP6 projects like the REACt must be on the industrial and economic feasibility with (co-ordinated by the University residential sector. the electric energy market, of Florence in co-operation with but they still have limits at DLR, SOLITEM, CDER, NERC and The European market is very lower temperature which are ALMEE) it had been possible diversified and sophisticated, connected especially to the to evaluate and solve all the in fact, it includes not only technologies used for the problems connected with the small-sized systems for the DHW construction of the system and design of the plant and to assess production, for the space related costs. In fact, large-PTC the potentialities of a SHC plant heating for the residential and collectors are optimized for based on the coupling of small commercial sectors, but also operating at about 400-450°C, PTC collectors with commercial large-sized for the district heating, and at that temperature the the air-conditioning through vacuum-chamber receiver Figure 3 Final energy consumption for heating solar heating&cooling (SHC) tube and the very accurate and cooling in EU 27 in 2006 applications and, finally, for the tracking system are expensive. [Total : 4640 TWh] production of industrial process Large PTC solar system has not heat (Figure 3Errore. L’origine yet entered the residential air- riferimento non è stata trovata.). conditioning and the industrial process heat market at low-to- If the focus remains on small- medium temperature (in a range scaled solar thermal systems from 100°C to 250°C) due to solely then the contribution to the technical and economic reasons renewable energy goal of 20% especially connected with the of the total final energy demand very high target price cost of will be limited collector derived from CSP plants and the low efficiency at lower Actually, energy collectors most temperatures (below 100°C) used in the solar thermal sector due to the use of only the direct are the flat plate collectors (FPC) component of the solar radiation or the evatuated tube ones (ETC) (instead of the global as the ETC but those solution have very and FPC) important weak-points in respect of the PTC collectors especially Nevertheless, many research in terms of costs and energy activities have been carried n Industrial heat – Low temperature 19.5% efficiency at temperature above out in order to develop n Air-conditioning service 1.9% 100°C: PTC collectors provide smaller PTC collectors feasible n Space heating service 17.3% higher energy efficiencies than with applications at lower n Water heating residential 10.2% the FPC and ETC in temperature temperatures (T<250°C) in terms n Space heating residential 51.0% www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 30 SOLAR
Above-mentioned demonstrative projects highlighted the feasibility of PTC Figure 4 PTC collectors for SHC and Industrial process heat installed at the UNIFI’s collector for SHC applications test facilities for residential and commercial sector, in addition, an ESTIF study (2009) forecasted that in 2020 absorption chiller appropriately on 2 different solar collector the contribution of solar thermal modified for the purposes. Results types (PTC vs. ETC) and chiller to the low temperature heat of the REACt, as for other FP6 technologies (Ammonia-Water demand of the EU-27 will be project, have been used as vs. Lithium Chloride-Water). between 0.8% and 3.6% and the knowledge backgrounds in FP7 corresponding annual solar yields projects for the monitoring and Moreover, the University of would be within 38 TWh and 155 evaluation of SHC plants based Florence have been involved TWh. The specific collector area on the coupling of different solar in research project for the the needed to reach these goals collectors (FPC, ETC, PTC) with development, optimization would be between 0.2 m² and different chiller technologies. and manufacturing of 0.8 m² per inhabitant and the Some of them are still in progress, small-PTC collectors for SHC resulting total collector area will like the FP7-ALONE, co-ordinated and industrial process heat be between 97million m² and 388 by the University of Florence applications, that have been million m². in co-operation with EURAC, tested in the last years and that DLR, SOLITEM, CLIMATEWELL are going to be industrialized In a long-term view, In 2050, the and RIELLO, that foresees the and proposed to the solar potential of solar thermal to the installation of 2 SHC plant based thermal market (Figure 4). low temperature heat demand of the European Union (EU-27) Figure 5 Solar Thermal Potential in EU 27 based on three different could reach an order of 30-40% scenarios [ESTIF, Potential of Solar Thermal in 2010] and the corresponding annual 600 solar yields would be in the order of 1000 TWh. The specific collector area needed to reach these goals will be between 3 m² 500 and 5m² (RDP) per inhabitants and the resulting total collector area will be between 1.5-2.5 400 billion square metres (Figure 5. ESTIF, Potential of Solar Thermal in 2010) 300
Those data are underestimated, since there is a significant share 200 of the energy demand located into the industrial process heat sector: European Union recently 100 published a call for proposal in the 7th Framework Program that foresee an investment of 0 about 20 millions of euro in the 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 development of low/medium n Business as usual temperature solar thermal n Advanced market development energy system for industrial n Full R&D and policy scenario process heat production. l
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu COMMUNICATION 31 Small scale Renewable Energies Projects in Diputación of Huelva
Several European projects for implementation and promotion of renewable energy are being developed in Huelva (Spain) among which are projects of small wind, small hydro or biomass.
Rural-RES WICO Six partners from different mountain WICO is an experimental project and rural EU territories, ECWT(GR), belonging to Interreg IV C POWER SESO (CZ), Sun Valley (RO), Agena Programme. It involves partners from (IT) and Energikontor Sydost (SE),led UK(Marine South East), Italy(Province by Diputación of Huelva(ES) together of Ravenna) and Spain (Diputación with a relevant European Association, of Huelva) and is providing interesting ESHA, have been driving this initiative information about the potential called Rural-RES part of the IEE applications of small wind turbines programme. along the coastal lines as well as identifying different drivers (technical, The main objectives of the project policies, market...) that avoid the have been to promote good deployment of small-scale wind practices on grid-connected small turbines as part of the push toward Lidingö city, Brabantse Milieu hydro power plants and off-grid and wider uptake of renewable energy Federatie and INTA and Italian regions grid-connected small wind power schemes that are essential to avert as themselves, share the ambition to installations in rural and mountain the feared climate change. The reduce carbon emissions from traffic. areas identifying and quantifying project particular focus is influence In this project the partners exchange the local potential in each of the 6 local planning rules and simplifies information and experiences on participating regions for the use of the installation of small wind systems policies and measures with special mini-hydro and mini-wind power, in coastal areas increasing the focus on innovative technologies conducting pre-feasibility studies exploitation of coastal winds through and management models for people and impact assessments and different tools as guidelines for transport. With them a Handbook achieving local agreements on politicians and municipal technicians, containing all this issues as well as a further exploring the opportunity to commitments with municipalities complete comprehensive database set up / restore mini-hydro power or coastal companies to develop including the results of previous plants and mini-wind installations in specific small wind bylaws or facilities successful projects in innovative participating regions. Project results agreements as well as public technologies is being developed. l have been disseminated through awareness campaigns. The project agreements with relevant training guidelines will be presented in Brussels and education centres whose on 14 April, 2011 within EUSEW. courses will now benefit from lessons learnt on the ground. Agreements ITACA Contact details: for new installations have also been The EU urban regions in the ITACA Manuel B. Acevedo Pérez reached to act as trailblazers in these project –Andalusia(ES), Stockholm Técnico de Proyectos Europeos fields of renewable energies. All this region(SE) , Noord Brabant(NL),Emilia Tel: 00 34 959494649 information as well as pre feasibility Romagna region , Rimini and studies, surveys and much more can Ferrara(IT)- as well as the Spanish e-mail: [email protected] be consulted and downloaded in the partner INTA ,trough their respective www.laccc.es Project Website. partners Diputación de Huelva,
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 32 TRANSPORT
Driving the future car today 1 Honda’s hydrogen fuel-cell pilot in California
Philip Hunt There are electric cars onda has invested on plugging in to charge and electric cars, heavily in the the batteries at frequent but in the choice technology with the intervals to give a worthwhile between batteries H launch of the FCX range, the FCX Clarity has a Clarity – a fuel-cell electric hydrogen fuel-cell as its power and hydrogen fuel- vehicle or FCEV with a source, giving a total reach cells as energy hydrogen fuel-cell as power of around 240 miles without source, one global source – in early 2010. refuelling. auto manufacturer has made its decision Water vapour as emissions The fuel cell in the Honda and taken a punt on The FCX Clarity, a medium- combines hydrogen from a sized four-door saloon, is storage tank at the rear of the hydrogen. classed in the US as a Zero- vehicle with oxygen from the Emission Vehicle (ZEV), i.e. air, and generates electricity the only emissions it gives off from the conversion process. are water vapour and heat. This electricity is used to charge Rather than being dependent lithium-ion batteries, which in
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to create a wide enough of a public network of fast-fill network of refuelling stations to hydrogen refuelling stations encourage the use of fuel-cell (with a five-minute fuelling electric vehicles by consumers. time) is under way. However Honda’s answer to this issue this network is limited to the was to come up with a way southern California area at of refuelling the car at home, the moment, in order to give using its own-design “Home the pilot programme the best Energy Station”. chance of a result.
A single, integrated unit that Costs an issue? fits into a user’s garage, the Honda claims that one of the manufacturer’s Home Energy reasons for the limited release of Station makes use of solar these cars is the small number power to generate hydrogen, of hydrogen-fuel stations enabling the user to refuel the available for refilling these cars. vehicle at home. Engineered They do not quote the cost of for an eight-hour, slow overnight manufacturing the FCX Clarity. refilling of a fuel-cell vehicle, Nor are they offering any of the unit is designed to replenish them for sale, which might sufficient hydrogen for a typical suggest to the more sceptical daily commute, or around among us that manufacturing 10,000 miles per year. costs may be a little too high for the market to bear. As a further inducement to turn supply the car’s electric going green, the system is Be that as it may, Honda is motors with power. also able to export electricity undoubtedly prepared to take from its solar panels to the grid on the investment risk in the Honda has launched a during the day, or whenever it interest of gaining a significant significant pilot programme is not in use refuelling a vehicle. market and engineering lead to test the concept in the Los With a “smart grid” system in in manufacturing hydrogen Angeles area of California. operation, the user is thus able fuel-cell vehicles. Since industry There, around 200 vehicles to sell electricity to the grid while experts and the European are being offered for lease remaining energy neutral. The Commission are now pointing between 2010 and 2013, at a unit employs a 48-panel, 6.0kW to the fuel-cell vehicle as one of cost of US$ 600 per month over solar array, utilising thin-film solar the two most likely technologies the three years. cells composed of copper, for development in future road indium, gallium and selenium. transport strategies, who is to Refilling with hydrogen at say that they are wrong? l home While home refuelling is A key challenge in the sales one solution, Honda has http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity strategy for the pilot was how emphasised that construction www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu 34 COMMUNICATION
Is a fully sustainable transport system feasible in forty years time?
n February 2011 WWF In terms of the transport system wishing to embrace a and Ecofys published this means: sustainable scenario also for “The Energy Report: 100% 1. Greater use of public transport? I renewable energy by 2050”, transport and a reduction in 1. To achieve vehicle in which this question was the distances people and efficiency, electrification and answered in the affirmative. goods travel compatibility with biofuels – The Energy Report did not 2. The electrification of mobility as well as sufficient biofuel however say it would be easy. wherever possible, especially production – a robust and How did the authors arrive at for short distances long-term policy is required. this conclusion and what does it 3. The use of biofuels for longer This needs to include both mean for managers and policy distances, heavy goods gradual changes, such as makers today? vehicles, shipping and increasing the percentage aviation. of biofuels to encourage The approach taken production, as well as throughout the report was to: For road transport, the viability creating an environment • Strive for ambitious energy of electrification (full-electric that is conducive to more savings vehicles & plug-in hybrids) disruptive innovations, such • Use sustainable electricity depends on the driving range as long-term pilot projects in wherever possible of a vehicle and the required electric mobility. • Meet the remaining energy power. This is shown in 2. Urban planners should demand with the limited Figure 1. Full-electric vehicles maximize the potential of biomass available have a limited range, beyond electrified urban transport which liquid or gaseous fuels and cycling infrastructure. will replace the battery or The envisaged sustainable complement it (as is the case transport system includes a with plug-in hybrids or electric significant modal shift towards vehicles with range extenders). rail and other forms of public Above a certain required transport. power/range combination, the 3. The report assumes strong internal power source is likely to growth of alternatives to remain a combustion engine. automobility, such as public transport, cycling and For all vehicles that need to teleworking. This will require a drive long distances, liquid shift in the current perception biofuels are the most suitable of both automobility and Figure 1 The use of electric vehicles and biofuels source of power. For medium travel, as well as a change in in road transport ranges, upgraded biogas could behaviour involving factors play an important role, as long such as costs, time, comfort Menno Chang (Ecofys Sustainable Transport) as it is produced at competitive and status. For it is quite Tel: +31-(0)30-662 3449 prices. possible that most of the Email: [email protected] population today, that grew The Energy Report is available at www.ecofys.com/energyreport. What does this imply for up with the current concept of managers and policy makers mobility, will live to see 2050. l
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Driving the future car today – 2 The internal-combustion engine
– not gone tomorrow Philip Hunt
Only 40 years ago, most people had only two and reliability, but safety, concerns about their car. How to make it more environmental protection and fuel efficiency. reliable and, for the enthusiast, how to give it more power. In Europe alone, the EU invested approximately 1.7 he first fuel crisis of 1972 – the approaching end to billion euro into research on was still to come, and fossil fuels as a resource, and transport, clean engines and people who worried growing concerns about the vehicle telematics between Tabout fuel consumption environment. As we look to the 1998 and 2002, while under the bought motorcycles instead of car of the future, the priorities Sixth Framework Programme for cars. Atmospheric pollution was are no longer performance Research (FP6) between 2002 a concern only for the scientists.
Since that time, the internal- combustion (IC) engine has advanced so far and so fast that many consider it the breakthrough area of technology in mechanical engineering. Commentators from science-fiction writers to politicians have damned the IC engine as inefficient, out-of-date and polluting. Yet it remains the backbone of global transport systems because of its energy efficiency, and because improvements in recent years have changed the power plants of the 1970s almost beyond recognition.
Continued investment in automotive research European innovation in automotive engine technology over the last decades has been driven by two key concerns Renault 1.5 dCi diesel engine www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 36 TRANSPORT
Vice-President of the European Commission Antonio Tajani aboard an electric car in Milan.
and 2006, the emphasis was has been driven largely by and Alfa Romeo launched cars on clean transport, safety and increasing regulatory controls, equipped with the new system. the intelligent vehicle. Over e.g. emissions, fuel quality, Common-rail quickly became this time the automotive sector consumption, etc. Europe has “the” fuel-efficient approach has benefited from a range of developed a strong preference for diesel engines. innovations in engine efficiency, for diesel engines in cars, energy use (alternative fuels), while the rest of the world has Yet petrol-engine technologies sustainable development remained predominantly petrol- were not standing still. New (cleaner vehicles), and related driven. In the commercial- approaches in particular research into intelligent vehicle sector, diesel engines around 2000 pushed the materials, production methods are the accepted standard. performance envelope for and user preferences. spark-ignition engines. Variable To spark, or to compress? valve actuation (VVA) for the Two distinct approaches to Beginning in 1997, the engine inlet valves became engine development have flexibility introduced by the practicable, as did the concept emerged in that time, the petrol breakthrough technology of “downsizing” or gaining engine and the diesel. These of “common-rail injection” greater efficiency by using two engine types, each with tipped the balance between smaller yet more highly tuned their proponents and detractors, the two engine types in favour engines. have driven diverging market of the diesel engine. Born preferences in the global within a European research With more power and greater passenger-car market. project (NOFISDI), common- engine flexibility, the future for rail injection was taken up by petrol engines is now much Development of both engine Robert Bosch in 1997, and that more assured as a competitor types over the last two decades same year both Mercedes Benz for diesel. Thanks to such
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developments, petrol remains Renault Fluenze Z.E battery-electric car the best solution for smaller vehicles where size, weight and cost are all-important considerations.
Exhaust-gas treatment systems are already fundamental to both petrol and diesel-driven vehicles in helping them meet emission-control regulations. The three-way catalyst was developed at the end of seventies for the petrol engine, while diesel-oxidation catalysts came in as early as 1989 for light-duty engines, and the diesel particulate filter in 2000.
Future is Hybrid-shaped Future Innovation in motive power for transport is likely to be driven by the need for increasing specialisation. Heavy-duty vehicles such as city buses or waste collection for the immediate future is the as the car slows down instead trucks for example, with their Hybrid vehicle. Combining of just wasting it as heat on the constant stop-start operations, the IC engine with electric brakes), as larger mild and full will require different engine drive enables designers to fully hybrids steadily increase their set-ups compared to the exploit the key characteristics pure electric range. passenger-car if they are to of electric motors to simplify meet tighter emission controls. IC engine design and help Yet the obstacles to any full meet fuel-consumption and replacement for the IC engine For the daily commuter, emissions targets. The EU has remain. Factors such as range, all-electric vehicles might been researching hybrid battery durability and recharge at first appear to offer the technologies for some time, time, availability of hydrogen best solution. But significant note for example the HI- and on-board storage for obstacles remain to the mass- CEPS project in FP6. In future fuel-cell vehicles all point to a market take-up of purely passenger-cars, the progressive lengthy transition phase for the electric vehicles; the most introduction of electric drives traditional IC engine. important being driving range, and power electronics will battery recharge time, lifetime play an increasingly significant The most likely scenario is steadily and cost of manufacture. For role in meeting environmental increasing integration with hybrid fuel-cell electric vehicles, the concerns. components, up to the point challenges include on-board of full electrification. Even then, hydrogen storage, distribution/ Depending on the class of a residual demand will remain fuelling networks, and again the the vehicle, more and more around the world for vehicles cost of production. partial-hybrid cars will start to with “go-anywhere” capabilities, appear, with stop/start and which almost certainly means In fact, some believe that the brake-energy recuperation (the a continuing role for the really emergent technology generation of electric energy internal-combustion engine. l www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 38 TECHNOLOGY
Eco-Architecture: When the Stick may be Greener than the Carrot Michael Edmund
n May 20th 2007, suggested that Europe’s demonstrate how far this The New York more legislative stance had thinking has come. Designed Times published contributed to a climate in by Sauerbruch Hutton, and Oan article by its which green architecture was completed in 2005, the chief architecture critic Nicolai more a part of the landscape. Umweltbundesamt Dessau is Ouroussoff, in which he sought Indeed, according to German claimed to be among the most to explain why the US lagged architect Matthias Sauerbruch, efficient buildings in the world. far behind Europe in the both the concept and the It certainly demonstrates many adoption of more ecological application of eco-architecture advanced eco-architectural architecture. At the time, have now developed far features, including district the average building in the beyond the solar panels and heating and air-to-earth U.S. used approximately one turf roofs of the 1970s. In effect, cooling systems, photovoltaic third more energy than its a generation of European electricity and a range of German counterpart, and as architects has grown up active and passive strategies he contrasted more than a having to design buildings with to reduce energy consumption decade’s worth of European sustainability in mind. and carbon dioxide production, Legislation with the lack of while the building’s sinuous Federal Regulations, Ouroussoff Two recent projects in Germany appearance has attracted
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Architekten for SMA, this training cities, measured across 30 facility includes a photovoltaic separate indicators including wall, integrated solar panels, energy, CO2 emissions and a combined heat and power the buildings themselves, while (CHP) system burning biogas, corresponding data from the and a borehole heat exchange US will not become available system which together make until later this year. The study the building self sufficient in showed that top-performing energy; it is not connected to cities like Copenhagen (with the electricity grid. an index of 87.31), Stockholm and Oslo (86.65 and 83.98, On a different scale, the respectively) are two to three evolution of the eco-village at times greener than the worst- Findhorn in Scotland illustrates performing ones, Bucharest, much of Sauerbruch’s thinking. Sofia and Kiev (indices in Findhorn began in the 1960s this study of 39.14, 36.85 and as little more than a caravan 32.33, respectively). One of park, but today many individual the individual parameters buildings incorporate a range examined was environmental of advanced technologies, governance, and Brussels, including triple glazing, super perhaps unsurprisingly, was the efficient insulation and a top-performing city in Europe. sophisticated district heating much positive comment and system. Many of these features Legislation may indeed have many visitors. But it is the choice have been retrofitted to contributed to the progress of of location for this project that is existing structures within the eco-architecture in Europe, but perhaps even more significant, eco-village, but Findhorn has the recent Dutch experience for it is on the site of a former also experimented over the with the introduction of Smart munitions factory, gasworks decades with a variety of new Metering has clearly shown and industrial complex that had construction and insulation the fundamental importance been heavily contaminated materials. of consumer demand to for decades. Rather neatly, a the adoption of any green filthy site has been cleaned The stronger presence of innovation. As Ouroussoff’s up to build an environmentally green building legislation article observed, eco-architects advanced building for a in Europe may also be a “cannot achieve anything Federal Environment Agency. contributory factor to the without willing clients.” l Another remarkable new ready availability of information building, for which a zero about green building. An Green City Information by courtesy of Siemens AG, carbon footprint is claimed, ongoing study by Siemens has Munich, Germany and Economist Intelligence Unit, London, UK has opened this year in Niestal, published the environmental Contact: Karen Stelzner, [email protected] Germany. Designed by HHS credentials of 30 European www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu 40 COMMUNICATION
Sustainable building From a Vision to Reality
he building and but throughout the life cycle of construction sector is planned and existing buildings. of highest significance Twhen addressing Therefore, innovation sustainability. The sector’s applicable to both new and relevance in terms of energy existing buildings is sought. demand and associated To be of high potential, an impact on climate change is innovation must be applicable frequently being pointed out. in a given context, support The political agenda with its the building in its functionality reduction targets for mainly and performance, and it must energy demand and carbon contribute to a development emissions defines scenarios towards the desired targets. the construction and real We offer services that assist our estate sector must relate to. clients to identify and reach Meanwhile, the volume of new targets in terms of sustainability construction is a small figure – through innovative concepts, compared to the existing management processes and building stock. Even if reducing the choice of technologies and the energy demand of new products. buildings to “near-zero”, the influence on the overall building Sustainable building goes stock will not be fast enough beyond new construction, to reach the political targets. beyond energy demand and Additional to building new beyond labelling. Sustainable sustainable buildings, the focus buildings provide qualities must be directed to operate, in terms of environmental, maintain and manage existing economic, and socio-functional buildings in an optimized aspects. As an integrated, way. Single buildings are to balanced approach that is be optimized including due reflecting the full life cycle, consideration of their context sustainable buildings provide within infrastructure and the value to all concerned parties. urban environment. Life cycle performance optimisation must In itself, sustainable building be applied not only for the life may be regarded as an cycle of planned buildings, innovation. It is seen as a highly
Buro Trinius GmbH | Wolfram Trinius | Barmbeker Str. 9a | 22303 Hamburg, Germany Mace International Ltd | Stefano Saldini | Atelier House, 64 Pratt Street, London NW1 0LF, UK Endoenergy Systems Ltd | Gurvinder Virk | 20 Victoria Road, Sheffield S10 2DL, UK Svensk Aerogel AB | Christer Sjöström | Nobelvägen 2 | 80133 Gävle, Sweden
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu COMMUNICATION 41
significant future market, it is sustainable building (2) translate declarations and building subject of one of the lead- that vision into requirements (3) labelling. market initiatives of the EU. apply the requirements in terms www.trinius.de At the same time, many of of performance indicators in the cost-efficient carbon the evaluation of innovation Svenska Aerogel AB develops abatement technologies (4) communicate the potential and markets custom designed are related to buildings. As a contribution of innovation aerogel-based materials for result, the immense demand towards the vision. highly specialized functions. to improve the construction Focus areas include high sector is to a very large extent The approach and the findings performance insulation cost efficient. A clear win-win- of the Smart-ECO project are products and molecular market. taken up by ISO standardisation filtration media for cleaning of work and by the UN-SUN air and liquids. Our services include product program and the entire project www.aerogel.se innovation project and was supported by CIB. More management consultancy information can be found on Endoenergy Systems Ltd designs as well as economic, www.smart-eco.eu thermal energy systems based environmental and technical on integrating renewable life cycle assessment. Mace advises on new and energy technologies into We integrate innovative existing buildings design, buildings and is interested in approaches into existing legislation and building developing new technologies business models for planning regulation, remediation- for realising a supply chain and management of buildings. demolition-construction based sustainable construction With our services, buildings can activities and processes, sector. be improved at their very heart. operation and occupancy. www.endoenergy.com l
Together with further partners, Mace’s full turnkey programme we have set up and conducted addresses and improves our the EU funded SSA “Smart- clients’ triple bottom line ECO”. In that project, a by reducing environmental vision for sustainable building footprint, enhancing for the next 20-year period compliance and improving has been identified, and profits. various innovations have www.macegroup.com been analysed as to their potential contribution to such Ingenieurburo Trinius performs a development. A stakeholder R&D and consultancy related panel gave credibility to the to life cycle performance approaches, findings and and sustainability of buildings recommendations set out by and building products. Our the project partners. The core core competence lies in elements of the project were economic and environmental to (1) establish a vision for life cycle assessment, product www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 42 TECHNOLOGY
Towards better-informed energy consumption An interview with Dr Howard Porter, Managing Director of ESMIG.
By Michael Edmund
ecent uncertainties to support of the EU concept of in the energy installing a Smart Meter in every markets have home across Europe. Rsharpened interest in the development of national What are the principal and supra-national Smart Grids, Q benefits of Smart while many Member States are Metering? Why does ESMIG feel adopting new smart metering that Smart Metering is assuming technologies as part of their such importance? response. Dr. Porter explains the benefits they can expect, At the EU and national and some of the problems they A level, it comes down to face. the question of stability of energy supply. By steering Good Afternoon, Dr Porter. activity towards greater Q Perhaps we may begin by availability of information across asking you to explain a little energy networks, Member about ESMIG: what it is, and in States will be better placed to which areas of policy it is recognise potential limitations currently most active. upon future energy supply; and better able to react to ESMIG, the European unforeseen political A Smart Metering Industry developments elsewhere. Smart Group, is the body that Meters, once integrated into represents manufacturers and Smart Grids, will play an suppliers right across the Smart important role. Meter supply chain. Originally 10 strong, membership has now At the customer level, Smart grown to 36, drawn from Meters offer the prospect of manufacturers of the meters using the greater availability of and their electronics information to modify behaviour themselves, through the to reduce energy consumption, businesses involved in without necessarily affecting communications and data lifestyle. transmission, right up to the very Dr Howard Porter, information networks At the Utility level, new Smart Managing Director, themselves. The organisation technology allows greater ESMIG was conceived three years ago matching of demand and
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supply, either through pricing What are your thoughts decisions or, with appropriate Q about the recent consumer agreement, control experience in Holland, where of appliances remotely. security concerns affected the rollout of Smart Meters? One particular example of the interaction between utilities The Dutch experienced and consumers is the potential A significant problems with growth in the use of electric their first attempt to make the vehicles, with consequent adoption of Smart Meters requirements for home compulsory. With due reference charging; and pricing policies. to the EU Measuring and Instruments Directive, the According to recent episode illustrates how important Q Directives, EU Member it is for such a project to proceed States must “ensure the only with the full consent of fully implementation of intelligent informed consumers. metering systems.” One of your main aims relates to the rollout Is there any other pending of Smart Metering across Q EU Smart Metering Member States: how well do legislation about which Member you feel this is progressing? States should take notice?
Putting a Smart Meter in Not specifically. Perhaps A every house in the EU A the biggest issue is the represents a huge undertaking, convergence of different types and it is perhaps not surprising of legislation, such as the that rollout is not an overnight relevance of building design phenomenon, especially when upon energy consumption and you see that the timescale for micro-generation, which of legislation at national level course will be Smart Metered as among most Member States is the technology becomes more at least six to twelve months. widely adopted.
Do you ever feel frustration What are your hopes for Q about the speed of adoption Q the forthcoming of Smart Metering across the Sustainable Energy Week? different member states? We are proud to be a In general, many member A Partner of this event in A states have national April, and would be very policies in place and rollouts pleased to welcome visitors to are occurring across the EU: our presence there. We things might be better, but they propose to publish the results of might also be much worse. a survey of 135 Smart Meter Perhaps the biggest theoretical rollouts, which promises to be Contact details: risk attached to significant very interesting for all those European Smart Metering Industry Group delays in implementatiwon is associated with the industry. Boulevard A. Reyers 80 that posed to financial backing 1030 Brussels of the newly emerging Dr. Porter, thank you for your Belgium businesses. time. l www.esmig.eu www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 44 TECHNOLOGY
Smart metering
Knowledge is Power (Francis Bacon) In a previous issue we explored smart grids, a novel development that possess a number of advantages over the traditional power transmission system.
By Michael Edmund
t the heart of the detection of unauthorized among consumers of how the smart grid is use of electricity, changing the much energy they are actually the smart meter, maximum amount of electricity consuming is likely to affect Aa unit that uses that a customer can demand their behaviour, and a typical advanced measurement and at any time; and remotely response came from a member management capabilities changing the supply tariff. of the UK pilot smart metering to record consumption in scheme, who claimed that real time or near-real time; Many benefits are thought he had reduced his power to monitor power outages to arise from the adoption consumption by 10% without and power quality (such of smart meters; the most affecting his lifestyle, simply as electrical current or gas significant of these is an through being more conscious pressure); and even to anticipated reduction in energy of his energy use. disconnect supply remotely. consumption. It is widely held Other possible features include that increased awareness Another often-quoted feature
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is that consumers will be able to buy more of their power when it is least expensive and less when it is costlier, with the effect of smoothing out demand, and therefore power generation and making the whole process more efficient. In the Republic of Ireland, one energy minister has even envisaged that smart meters would intelligently divert micro-generated renewable energy into plug-in hybrid cars, effectively making them power storage devices.
A smart meter for every home in Europe? According to business intelligence company Berg Insight, there were about 39 million Smart Meters in use across Europe at the end of 2008; and at least five member countries have ambitious plans for 100% conversion to smart metering. Leading the way is Italy, where, between 2000 and 2005, pledge was made in 2007 to when a property is habitually the dominant utility supplied introduce smart meters for unoccupied, which might in smart meters to its entire every home in the Republic of turn pose security issues. customer base of over 27 million Ireland within a five-year period. consumers. In December 2009, There have been other the United Kingdom announced But not unmitigated joy difficulties of a technical nature, its intention to have smart There has been a certain principally concerning the meters in all homes by 2020, at amount of controversy registering of small-scale local an estimated cost of £7/€8.3 attached to the introduction of energy production (such as by Billion. Some of this will be borne smart meters. This particularly domestic solar panels), and the by the utility companies, the rest concerns the data they impact of advances in smart by consumers. collect, and who owns it. In meter technology. the Netherlands, a policy In France a smart metering of mandatory rollout was Francis Bacon may not have pilot project involving 300,000 revised in 2009 to make been writing about electricity customers in the Indre-et-Loire uptake voluntary. This came in 1597, but it is clear that the département and the Lyon after consumer groups raised twin threats posed by climate conurbation is the precursor privacy concerns: the principal change and dwindling fossil fuel to national deployment for 35 argument was that accurate reserves are driving the need million consumers, scheduled and continuous monitoring to know more and more about to start in 2012. Elsewhere, a of power use might suggest the power we use. l www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 46 ENVIRONMENT
Zero Carbon Britain 2030 Feasible target or pie in the sky?
Philip Hunt
The Copenhagen addressing carbon emissions also deals with some of the Climate Conference, from a UK perspective. cost criticisms of small-scale despite the negative renewables and microgrids. It headlines that Powering down high- admits that while such smaller- resulted, achieved carbon living scale technologies will be For the UK, according to CAT relatively more expensive, it at least one positive Director Paul Allen, taking picks out the often-forgotten outcome – a near this kind of lead is essential if issue of transmission losses from universal consensus other countries are to agree to large central power-generating for limiting the the same. “The barrier to the facilities, and suggests that maximum rise in global agreement we urgently microgrids can go some way global average need – is that the offer from to assist in minimising such the long industrialised countries losses and helping to manage temperatures from which have created 80% of the distributed generation. pre-industrial values problem is simply not enough to no more than 2 to gain agreement from the Interestingly, in the electric degrees C. Yet in majority world.” versus hydrogen fuel-cell the UK for example, debate for powering road reaching such a target The proposals in the report vehicles, the report comes focus on “powering down” down firmly on the side of the would mean cutting high-carbon living by reducing all electric car. While it admits carbon emissions by energy demand, so easing the that hydrogen can store more almost 100% by 2030. transition to fossil-free supply. energy for less weight than Is this a feasible target, New technologies and more batteries, and can be created or pie in the sky? efficient design are evaluated from zero-carbon electricity as an essential part of the using electrolysis, the process he Centre for Alternative decarbonisation strategy. requires twice the energy of Technology, or CAT, using batteries. It therefore in Wales says that it is Offshore wind and wave suggests electricity as the Tachievable. According energy are identified as having preferred power source for cars, to its report “Zero Carbon the strongest potential in the UK while hydrogen is better suited Britain 2030”, a 90% reduction for renewable energy (the UK for transport applications where in carbon emissions is feasible holds 40% of the EU’s total wind large amounts of power are by 2030, together with a resource, but only 4.2% of total required for starting or stopping, “carbon capture” equivalent installed capacity - Lambert, i.e. buses or heavy freight. to the remaining 10 per cent. 2008), and the report suggests This heavyweight document that they could provide most But drastic policy (384 pages) gathers eminent of the fossil-fuel free energy mix interventions required climate-change scientists by 2030. The authors admit that meeting and researchers to offer an such an ambitious target will integrated route map for Zero Carbon Britain 2030 require more than just exploiting
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation ENVIRONMENT 47
A wind turbine blade on route to installation.
green technologies. Drastic as a way of strengthening our study carefully its arguments policy interventions at both receptivity to change. and its findings.” Sir John national and international Houghton, former Co-Chair of level will be required, they say, Pie in the sky? the Intergovernmental Panel on causing real pain in terms of Zero Carbon Britain 2030 has Climate Change. freedom to exploit resources. drawn criticism from some For example, a one-third sources. Yet it does have a CAT has presented Zero reduction in international large number of eminent Carbon Britain 2030 as a flights is suggested, as well as names behind it, as well as the roadshow to the Catalan a complete halt to domestic support of organisations like Institute of Engineers, hosted flights. the E3 Foundation, the Met the 2010 Schumacher Society Office, and the Universities conference on the same The report recognises therefore of East Anglia, Strathclyde, theme, and presented it at the importance of educating Wolverhampton, De Montfort the European Parliament in consumers on the need to and Edinburgh Napier. Brussels. It can be purchased change their energy use. by accessing the dedicated “In calling for a common sense website to the left. l Public education, it believes, of purpose, not just nationally is essential if such radical but internationally too, [the changes in consumer report] points out the benefits Zero Carbon Britain 2030 behaviour are to be brought for society, its health, social www.zerocarbonbritain.org about, and it recommends welfare and sustainability, that Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) policy changes and will result from the pursuit of www.cat.org.uk communication campaigns such a goal. May I urge you to www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 48 technology
Sunshine in the fuel tank? By Michael Edmund
ometime around 2,700 is the observation that ceria carbon monoxide gases into million years ago, life on gives off oxygen when it is liquid hydrocarbons – or, in Earth first performed the heated sufficiently; and that other words, into fuels. Modern Sfeat of using sunlight to this hot, oxygen-deficient ceria applications of the process power the creation of its own is able to regenerate itself as now bearing their names energy source. Now, scientists it cools by extracting oxygen (Figure 2) now permit us to at the California Institute of from a suitable source. control the nature of the fuels it Technology (Caltech) have produces, which may now be shown that it is possible to pluck The Caltech team has devised realistically thought of as stored the basic constituents of liquid a means of using focused sunlight. fuels such as gasoline out of sunlight in a two-phase cycle the air around us. Using only to provide the necessary heat. However, there remain many heat, carbon dioxide, water In the first phase, ceria was obstacles to overcome before and the peculiar properties of heated to around 1500°C to we can reliably manufacture all a compound called cerium remove its oxygen. During our fuel from nothing more than oxide (ceria), the team has the second phase, it was air, water and sunlight. Perhaps shown that it is possible to allowed to cool to around the biggest of these is the fact produce a reliable stream of 900°C and exposed to either that Caltech team achieved the gases carbon monoxide carbon dioxide gas, CO2, less than 1% efficiency for the and hydrogen. Two things or to water, H2O (again as process, principally because make this development a gas). In both cases, the the relatively small scale of the exciting: the first is that for the ceria extracted oxygen, experiment resulted in relatively last eighty years, we have had producing, respectively, carbon rapid heat loss. However, they the technology to manufacture monoxide, CO, or hydrogen, remain confident that near 20% synthetic fuels from a mixture H2. Importantly, the team were efficiency can be achieved in of these gases. The second is also able to demonstrate that an industrial scale plant. Man’s that the heat required for the stable production of these most recent research activities process comes from nothing gases over 500 cycles, offering may therefore mean that he more than focused sunlight. Not a realistic basis for a continuous will soon be able to counter from burning fossil fuels, with production technology. the twin threats of diminishing important consequences for fossil fuel reserves and climate our carbon footprint and our Fischer and Tropf, two German change - by imitating the trick effect upon the climate. scientists working in the 1920s, that has been performed by discovered how to convert plants and algae for millions of At the heart of this new process a mixture of hydrogen and years. l
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation NEWS 49 News Choose your green vehicle
The European Commission has launched a new website to help organisations and individuals choose the cleanest and most energy- efficient vehicles for their needs. The new Clean Vehicle web portal supports a European directive that requires from January 2011 all purchases of vehicles for public transport services take into account energy consumption, CO2 emissions and pollutant emissions. The most obvious attraction is to commercial fleet users, as the portal focuses on lifetime cost calculations.
More information: www.cleanvehicle.eu
NER300 – major EU investment into low-carbon technologies
The European Commission launched the EU’s ambitious climate-change Funding is aimed at demonstration in November 2010 the first call for goals. The European Investment Bank projects involving innovative proposals for the world’s largest is collaborating with the Commission renewable-energy technologies programme of investment in in the implementation of the and CCS. At least one project, and renewable energy and low carbon programme. a maximum of three, will be funded demonstration projects. The initiative, per member state. The initiative will known as NER300, will provide Climate Action Commissioner Connie fund up to 50% of the construction substantial financial support for at Hedegaard said: “The NER300 is and operating costs of the projects, least 34 projects involving innovative a good example that together, leveraging a total investment of renewable energy technologies, EU 27 can do more than we can more than €9 billion. and at least eight projects involving individually. Through using revenues carbon capture and storage (CCS) from selling of CO2 allowances, NER300 funding can be combined technologies. around €4.5 billion will be available with financing from other EU for innovative renewable energy instruments, including the Structural The aim is to drive low-carbon technologies and CCS. With project and Cohesion Funds and the economic development in sponsors and Member States European Energy Programme for Europe, creating ‘green’ jobs and contributions this will sum up to €9 Recovery (EEPR). contributing to the achievement of billion.”
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu European Energy Innovation 50 News
Public consultation on “Europe 2020 Project Bonds” to fund infrastructure
The European Commission has role in the funding of public-interest new constraints on long-term lending. launched a public consultation projects. Today public budgets are Project bonds could be a way to on the “Europe 2020 Project Bond in need of consolidation. But at the attract capital from other investors, Initiative”, which aims to boost same time, we need to promote such as pension funds and insurance funding for projects with long- sustainable growth in Europe. EU companies, and be a useful addition term revenue potential that meet budget resources must be used more to traditional financing options.” the Europe 2020 policy priorities. effectively so that such projects The initiative aims to help private attract capital market financing. This For transport alone, assessment of companies attract capital market is why we are joining forces with the member states’ investment plans funding from investors such as pension European Investment Bank in this reveals that around €21.5 billion funds and insurance companies. Project Bond Initiative.” per year is needed in the post- 2013 period to remove significant European Commissioner for European Investment Bank President bottlenecks, construct missing Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Philippe Maystadt said, “Infrastructure cross-border links, and interconnect Rehn said at the launch, “Financial finance in Europe has suffered since transport modes. The consultation instruments should play a larger the financial crisis and banks face closes on the 2nd May 2011.
Aquasun – floating solar panels
Most solar energy systems on the prototype will operate on-site for a Synergy. “There are many water market today bear several major period of nine months, during which reservoirs with energy, industrial or weaknesses: they require large areas system performance and productivity agricultural uses that are open for of land in order to be built, cooling will be assessed. The research team energy production use”. may be required for cells that get believes that by June 2012 they will be very hot, and the costs for solar-cell ready to launch the technology on fabrication and maintenance are the market. high. A new technology is set to overcome some of these challenges A key benefit of the “water cooling” – floating solar power plants. is that the photovoltaic system can make use of silicon solar cells which, This innovative solar-power although cheaper to manufacture, technology has been developed tend to experience overheating under the EU EUREKA programme, by problems in normal land applications a partnership between EDF of France and need to be cooled down. The and Solaris Synergy from Israel. water basins on which the plants Fabrication of a prototype began would be built are not natural after design finished at the end of reserves, tourists’ resorts or open sea; Something March 2010, and the team is now rather they are industrial water basins aiming to launch the implementation already in use for other purposes. phase in September 2011. Such floating solar plants should to say? therefore have a minimal impact on If you feel your news story should The tests will take place at Cadarache natural landscapes. be seen in the pages of European in the South East of France, the site Energy Innovation magazine. having a privileged position on the “It’s a win-win situation”, declares Please email the editor: French electric grid and being close to Dr Elyakim Kassel, coordinator of a local hydro-electric facility providing the AQUASUN project and business [email protected] the water surface to be used. The development manager at Solaris
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu June 8–10, 2011
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