Project description
Harnessing excess heat for a greener future
Excess heat from energy and transport systems is a major untapped resource in the EU. It contributes to significant energy loss and greenhouse gas emissions, which are critical barriers to achieving net zero targets. Efficiently converting this wasted heat into electricity could transform sectors like heating, cooling, renewables and electric vehicles. Better thermal energy management can also improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. In this context, the EU-funded THERMINATOR project is developing a cutting-edge energy conversion ‘skin’ to address this issue. This innovative layer reduces energy loss, generates electricity and enhances efficiency. Suitable for use in buildings, pipes, solar cells and vehicles, it integrates advanced technologies for sustainable and high-performance energy solutions.
Objective
Energy and transport are the highest emitters of greenhouse gases in the EU at 25% and 21% respectively of total emissions. Efficient management, conversion and distribution of thermal energy as well as converting excess or wasted heat into electricity presents a major opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net zero by 2050 in the energy and transport sectors and beyond e.g. heating and cooling distribution in buildings and districts, improved efficiency in renewables and more efficient, longer range electric vehicles.
THERMINATOR will develop a new energy conversion technology in the form of an efficient low profile energy conversion “skin” that can be integrated into the fabric of a building or the wall of a pipe to reduce energy loss through active insulation or to provide temperature conversion in heat networks. It could be applied as a backing to improve efficiency of solar cells or integrated into the structure of a vehicle to support passenger comfort or improved efficiency of structural batteries.
This novel technology integrates thermoacoustic and electrocaloric stages and operates at high frequency to achieve high power density (100W/cm2). Model-based smart controls and energy management will provide high efficiency and digital control for optimum performance and reliability and integration into digital networks. A focus on sustainability, circularity and socio-economic factors will ensure products with high environmental and social benefit.
Developments will be validated to TRL4 by testing in use cases in thermal networks, solar generation and electric vehicle applications.
THERMINATOR disruptive technology will support European companies in developing new high performance sustainable products through consortium members in thermal networks and solar power sectors alongside world-leading expertise in electrocaloric, thermoacoustic and ultrasonic technologies and skills in reliability, environmental assessment and exploitation planning.
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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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-CL5-2024-D2-01
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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.
92130 ISSY LES MOULINEAUX
France
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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.