Project description
Revolutionary alternative for cooling and power management
Around 20 % of global energy is used for cooling, with 1.6 billion AC units in operation. Consequently, there is a need for more sustainable and energy-efficient cooling alternatives. With this in mind, the EU-funded THERMOCOOL project aims to develop thermoelectric coolers (TE), which could reduce CO2 emissions per person by up to 38 % and save up to 1795 kWh per year compared to current options. To achieve this, the project will optimise production costs and sustainability, enhance energy conversion efficiency, and demonstrate these improvements. TE will also be beneficial for high-power computing and battery systems that require advanced cooling equipment. Additionally, the project aims to cut maintenance costs by optimising digital information flows.
Objective
THERMOCOOL addresses critical global challenges - energy transition and digitalization. With 20% of global energy used for cooling, and 1.6 billion AC units in use, energy-efficient alternatives are vital. Thermoelectric coolers (TE) offer a solution, saving 1795 kWh/y and reducing CO2 emissions by 38% per person compared to standard AC.
Additionally, TE has applications in high-power computing and batteries where conventional cooling falls short. The project leverages novel thermoelectric materials to drive advancements.
In parallel,THERMOCOOL contributes to digitalization. The Internet of Everything (IoE) necessitates trillions of connected devices. To power them sustainably, thermal energy harvesters are explored, tapping into heat sources like the human body, buildings, and the sun. This approach reduces maintenance costs and indirectly cuts CO2 emissions by optimizing information flows.
THERMOCOOL focuses on three key objectives:
1.Enhancing the efficiency of energy conversion devices, including thermoelectric generators and pyroelectric generators for electricity generation, and thermoelectric coolers and electrocaloric coolers for cooling.
2.Prioritizing low-cost, sustainable materials with minimal reliance on critical raw materials and emphasizing recyclability.
3.Demonstrating the effectiveness of these technologies in challenging environments where conventional systems are less efficient.
Collaborative research will elevate these technologies from TRL3 to TRL5, involving researchers with complementary expertise in thermoelectric and ferroelectric materials.
These solid-state devices share key advantages: zero maintenance costs, compactness, lightweight, silence, and environmental friendliness. They have the potential to revolutionize energy conversion and cooling, addressing pressing global challenges.
THERMOCOOL offers efficient, low-cost, and eco-friendly solutions that will benefit society, the environment, and the economy, heralding a promising future.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology materials engineering amorphous solids amorphous semiconductors
- natural sciences computer and information sciences internet
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electrical engineering power engineering electric power generation
- engineering and technology environmental engineering mining and mineral processing
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels energy conversion
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.5 - Climate, Energy and Mobility
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.5.3 - Energy Systems and Grids
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-03
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
92190 MEUDON
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.