Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for Renewable ... - EGEC

RenewableHeating & CoolingEuropean Technology PlatformBIO.3ObjectiveCost-effective micro-CHP systemsThere will be two distinct fields of application for micro-CHP systems: First, the use as anadvanced heating system, which produces electricity in the power range from 0.1 to 5 kW eland operates 1,500 to 2,000 hours per year (e.g. for single family houses or flats). Second,the use as a local heating plant (e.g. micro-grid) which produces electricity in the range5 - 50 kW el and for more than 4,000 hours per year.The objective of both types of applications are to:• Develop and prove integrated concepts (combustion system / heat transfer component /cogeneration technology)• Develop components• Improve component performance (heat exchangers) and component efficiencies(Stirling, thermoelectric materials)• Improve system efficiencies• Optimise control systems (e.g. communication with electrical grid)• Demonstrate long-term performance to assess reliability and techno-economicsof micro CHPs in field operation• Reduce costAs an accompanying measure, the development of a testing procedure, preferably implementedinto a European standard, for micro-CHPs is required to facilitate market uptake and to providea point of reference for technology developers as well as for customers.Technologies which may be considered are thermoelectrics 36 , Stirling engine, steamcycles, ORC and externally fired hot gas turbines for solid biomass based cogeneration.Biogas and syngas applications may also include micro gas turbine and fuel cell technology.The latter applications require above all substantial research into gas cleaning.State-of-the-artMicro-CHP means the simultaneous generation of thermal and electrical energy with amaximum capacity of less than 50 kW el as defined in Directive 2004/8/EC 37 . Micro-CHPappliances based on internal combustion (IC) engines are commercially available technologiesoperated with biodiesel or biogas. The latter is also used with micro gas turbines. Investmentcosts of state-of-the-art IC systems are 4-6 €/kW el .Externally fired micro-CHP technologies are not commercially available. Different technologicalconcepts are under development. So are small and micro scale gasification technologies.These are dealt with elsewhere.TargetsType of activityThe electric system efficiencies based on solid state technologies (i.e. thermoelectrics)should reach 2% by 2020, and for systems based on thermodynamic cycles the electricsystem efficiency should reach 7%. As to the different applications, investment costs mayvary as well from ~10 €/W for solid state cogeneration to ~3.5 €/W for thermodynamic cyclebased technologies.10% Research / 45% Development / 45% DemonstrationActivities relevant to Materials Science (thermoelectrics)3.3.2 Research and innovation priorities with impact in the Medium to Long TermAfter 2020, the development of low-cost multi-sensor fuel recognition and automaticadaptation of operation will be required in order to allow fuel flexible boilers for a wider, butdefined range of fuel qualities.The priorities for medium and long term research are:36This term refers to solid statecogeneration with thermoelectricmaterials used as heatexchangers.37EU (2004).BIO.4ObjectiveState-of-the-artDevelopment of next generation of firewood stoves (and inset appliances and cookers)Future room heating appliances must make a substantial step toward reduction of harmfulemissions, such as organic gaseous carbon (OGC) and dust. While results of existing certificationtesting procedures generally indicate good to excellent performance, real life performancereveals substantial potential for improvement and will guide technological development towardsthe expected impacts. Increased investment costs must be counter-balanced by savings in fuelcost. The objectives consequently are:• To develop advanced testing criteria that better reflect real life performance• To develop and demonstrate reliable combustion concepts and design for firewoodstoves, cookers and inset appliances• To develop and demonstrate reliable and cost effective secondary measuresfor emission control• To minimise the risk of malfunctioning due to user errors• To develop and demonstrate advanced heat storage and slow heat release concepts(materials and system design)Referring to firewood stoves only, today’s testing efficiency is 81% with a real lifeefficiency of about 72%. Under testing conditions these emit 703 mg CO/MJ, 46 mg OGC/MJand 28 mg dust/MJ, while the real life emissions are 4,463 mg CO/MJ, 664 mg OGC/MJ and 148mg dust/MJ.Investment costs range from about € 1,000 for a state-of-the-art firewood stove of 6-10 kWto several thousand €. Design elements and advanced fuel storage concepts are the majorcost items.23