Implementation of a vertical axis micro-wind turbine capable of working at high efficiency even at a low wind speed.

Project Information

Briareo

Grant agreement ID: 652138

DOI

10.3030/652138

Project closed

EC signature date 30 September 2014

Start date 1 October 2014

End date 31 January 2015

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

ARKEN SPA
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Briareo (Implementation of a vertical axis micro-wind turbine capable of working at high efficiency even at a low wind speed.)

Reporting period: 2014-10-01 to 2015-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Briareo is an innovative micro-wind turbine intended at offering users a higher efficiency of power generation with low speed winds, thereby increasing the market entry rate of this renewable energy technology throughout the European Union and worldwide.
Briareo project has been proposed by 2 Italian SMEs, Arken SpA and Gymnotus SaS, who have strictly cooperated on the concept, design, prototype development and test of the innovative micro-wind turbine since the beginning, equally sharing the IP ownership, which will be licensed to a NewCo, Briareo Srl.
The Briareo micro-wind turbine is based on an “IKEA-like” concept: it can be purchased of-the-shelf and it is an easily self-assembled device. Briareo micro wind turbine does not produce much noise, it is small and can be installed in most places, with no need for any certification.
Considering Briareo’s target market, they are willing to develop direct sales channel (Direct Online Sales on the company website), but also strong sales channels with several categories of distributors Briareo Srl will start selling in UK and Italy for the first year and will enter Finland and France in the second year and
Norway and Germany on the third year.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During Phase 1, thanks to this new wind turbine concept, Arken and Gymnotus were able to assess and test the technical feasibility of several different blades configurations and to test the micro-wind turbine outdoors, and discovered the model that proved to be most promising in during lab experiments.
Another outcome of the technological assessment has been the understanding that the high manufacturability of Briareo allows the use of the low cost rotational moulding industrial process.
Furthermore it has been performed an in depth market analysis including: analysis of Market Barriers, Regulations, Benchmark, SWOT Analysis.
A detailed Developments and Implementation Plan has been carried out with a focus on: Operations, Employment, Risk analysis.
A full Commercialization Plan and Finalcial Plan, comprehensive of Marketing and Communication Strategy, Sales Forecast (Profit and Loss (P&L), Cash Flow, Break Even Point).
Last, an IP strategy has been devised to ensure that the BRIAREO wind turbine technology can quickly get onto the European market and it is focused on obtaining exploitable IP which supports the features which differentiate the BRIAREO wind turbine proposition now and in the future and seeks to minimise the threat to NewCo of third party IP.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

During PH1 feasibility assessment Briareo had a strong traction and approval with all the suppliers and partners. The Business sustainability has been demonstrated by detailed financial, market, industrial and legal analysis, and Arken and Gymnotus established a new company, Briareo Srl, to fully focus on Briareo micro wind turbine production and commercialization. Considering the result of the Ph1 feasibility assessment, it is worthy to follow up with the implementation of an industrialization and commercialization plan,

Briareo