Descrizione del progetto
Tecnologia dirompente per sfruttare l’energia del mare
In teoria, l’energia delle onde è più affidabile e potente di altre fonti rinnovabili, ma è la meno sviluppata. Le sfide legate alla progettazione, alla durata e al posizionamento dei dispositivi ne hanno ostacolato lo sviluppo, per non parlare delle preoccupazioni ambientali per la vita marina. Il progetto IMAGINE, finanziato dall’UE, intende progettare, fabbricare e dimostrare un prototipo di generatore elettromeccanico (EMG) per le applicazioni dell’energia del moto ondoso, in grado di convertire in elettricità il movimento lineare alternato a bassa velocità. L’architettura del generatore elettromeccanico migliorerà in modo significativo l’efficienza (70-85 %), l’affidabilità (20 anni di tempo medio tra i guasti) e l’economicità (riduzione del 50 % delle spese in conto capitale). Dopo i test su un banco di prova hardware-in-the-loop, i rischi tecnologici saranno ridotti e sarà sviluppato un piano aziendale.
Obiettivo
The IMAGINE “Innovative Method for Affordable Generation IN ocean Energy” project aims at developing the Electro-Mechanical Generator (EMG), an innovative Power-Take Off (PTO) concept for wave energy applications able to convert slow speed, reciprocating linear motion into electricity. The EMG is based on the integration of a recirculating ballscrew and a permanent magnet generator, an architecture that dramatically improves average efficiency (70-85% also when working outside design conditions), reliability (20 years MTBF) and affordability (CAPEX reduction by over 50%) compared to state-of-the-art PTOs. During the IMAGINE project, the EMG technology will be demonstrated through the fabrication of a 250 kW prototype and its testing on a HardWare-In-the-Loop (HWIL) bench. This will allow progressing its TRL from 3 to 5. A range of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) will be emulated on the HWIL bench and the performance of the EMG, under the action of a robust control system, will be measured and extensively assessed. Furthermore, a FMECA analysis and a subsequent accelerated life test will prove the reliability of the system. HWIL tests will allow reducing technological risk in power rating increase, providing an intermediate step between tank tests and sea trials that represents a critical transition for wave energy development. Finally, a techno-economical assessment of the EMG and a complete Business Plan for commercialization will be developed. Such activities will be carried out by an international consortium with multi-disciplinary skills in marine energy, led by a leading-manufacturing company as Umbra Cuscinetti S.p.A.
The IMAGINE project is related to the topic “Developing the next generation technologies of renewable electricity and heating/cooling”, under the category “Ocean Energy: Development of advanced ocean energy subsystems: innovative power take-off systems and control strategies.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcontrol systems
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energyhydroelectricitymarine energywave power
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollution
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologystroke
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Invito a presentare proposte
Vedi altri progetti per questo bandoBando secondario
H2020-LCE-2017-RES-RIA-TwoStage
Meccanismo di finanziamento
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinatore
06034 Foligno Pg
Italia