DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY CONVERSION TECHNOLOGIES FOR HYBRID NETWORKS

A1.3_CISE

OBJECTIVES
The main objective of this activity is to develop and analyse renewable energy conversion technologies suitable for hybrid energy networks, i.e., energy systems capable of exploiting and optimising the utilisation of multiple energy vectors (such as electrical, thermal and gas). It is also intended to study the complex interactions that take place in hybrid energy networks, where multiple energy vectors interact and co-exist. Finally, it is aimed to exchange knowledge and experience about hybrid renewable energy conversion technologies, their operation principles and control strategies.

DEVELOPMENTS
This activity involves the participation of CISE-UBI and Université Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier. In the framework of the activity, the role of CISE-UBI is to provide input to UT3 regarding hybrid renewable energy conversion technologies and to develop and implement management strategies suitable for hybrid energy networks. The participation of UT3 in the activity aims at deploying a hybrid energy network at its campus, complemented by the development and implementation of management strategies suitable for hybrid energy networks.

Cooperation between the two partners involved in the activity aims to profit from their complementary consolidated knowledge about subjects of relevance for the domain of hybrid energy networks, namely systems modelling, control, weather data analysis, etc.. Such cooperation is embodied through exchange of know-how between partners.

The activities carried out at each demonstrator comprised the installation, instrumentation, and testing of solutions for the three building blocks of any energy system – energy sources, energy storage and loads.

At CISE-UBI, vertical shaft wind turbine, photovoltaic-thermal collectors, fuel cell, and heat pump have been adopted as energy sources. Energy storage capability was integrated resorting to batteries and supercapacitors, whereas the adsorption chiller acts as load.

At UT3, combined photovoltaic and thermal devices act as sources. Energy storage is assured by batteries, whereas the chiller absorbs the energy provided by the energy sources.

EXPECTED RESULTS
The completion of the activity shall lead to the successful implementation of living labs/pilot plants dedicated to the demonstration of hybrid energy networks as a compelling alternative to conventional energy networks operating in a decoupled fashion.