Profil Title	Development of a novel integrated system for renewable energy generation
Reference Nr.	09 GB 44O7 3EES
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Profil Type	Offer
Entry/Update	2009-08-14 / 2009-08-14

Abstract	A London-based company is developing a novel integrated system for renewable energy generation. The system will store excess generated energy to constantly match supply and demand, eliminating the need for ‘back-up’ power stations and offering profits through arbitrage. The company is looking for technology providers, power utility companies, wind farm developers and major energy users as partners to form a joint venture for development and feasibility study of the system.
Details	The UK government, recognising the issue of Climate Change, have committed to a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020. This has resulted in plans to provide substantially more electrical power from renewable sources such as wind, solar, wave and tidal resources. The problem with energy from renewables is that supply and demand are rarely matched. This presents problems for grid management and requires overcapacity in the national electricity supply system. In addition, the grid will rely on fossil fuel powered power stations to cover times when there is little wind and calm seas. Real impact on climate change can be achieved only if the need for fossil fuel powered back-up stations can be removed. A London-based company is developing an integrated system for renewable energy generation that will have the ability to provide constant base load power to the grid and respond rapidly to spikes in demand. At the heart of this system is an energy storage system that converts electrical energy generated from renewable sources into heat that can be stored in a well insulated 'Heat Core' at times of low demand. At times of peak demand, this energy can be released in the form of superheated steam which is used to drive a steam turbine to convert the energy back to electricity. Alongside the Heat Core is a conventional Bio-Fuel fired boiler; this could also be an existing coal or gas fired power station. This boiler can act as a final stage heater to the steam coming from the Heat Core if required or as a booster at peak demand. It can also act independently to the Heat Core to provide steam to the turbines. The Heat Core is split into zones which can be heated or cooled separately. The system includes a heat exchanger and heat pump which enables recovery of waste heat from the turbine exhaust which is then stored in the cooler zones in the Heat Core. The heat pump is powered by surplus energy from renewable sources or the grid - with a coefficient of performance (COP) in excess of 4 - significant power advantages can be gained even after the 50-60% losses in the steam turbines are taken into account. The whole system is managed by specialised software which measures input power against grid demand and determines the best use of the input energy within the system to meet that demand. The software also monitors energy pricing on the power market and optimises power delivery to the grid to maximise revenue through arbitrage. The company is looking for technology providers, power utility companies, wind farm developers and major energy users as partners to form a joint venture for the development of the system and for carrying out a feasibility study. Based on the results of the feasibility study, the joint venture will decide a strategy for national or global roll-out of the system. Innovative Aspects: Real impact on climate change by renewable energy generation can only be achieved if the need for fossil fuel powered back-up stations can be removed. This system will provide a constant base load power and respond quickly to spikes in energy demand, eliminating the dependence on the fossil fuel based national grid. A key aspect of this system is that all the technologies necessary are already available; they only need to be brought together in one system. This reduces risk to an easily manageable level. The cost of energy can vary from £15/MWh at low demand to £300/MWh at peak times. There is clearly much scope for arbitrage – the ability to store electricity and sell it at times of peak demand could bring significant returns, especially if the electricity is free to produce and would otherwise be wasted.
Technology sector	- Heat storage - Heat exchangers - Hydropower - Wind energy - Energy management
Market application	- Solar energy - Wind energy - Geothermal energy - Co-generation - Energy Conservation Related
Stage of development	Development phase - Laboratory tested
Patent Rights (IPR)	Others
	The joint venture is to control intellectual property on the combined system, while each partner retains IP rights on their individual part of the system.
Cooperation type	- Joint further development - Testing of new applications - Adaptation to specific needs - Joint Venture Agreement # Type of partner sought Technology providers, power utility companies, wind farm developers and major energy users # Task to be performed by the partner sought Development and feasibility study of the system, followed by commercial roll-out
Organisation type	Industry      Org. Size: < 10
Status	This profile is expired! For further details, please contact your local EEN office.