Objective
The aim of the project REMINEL (Rural system for Every MINute ELectricity) is the development of an efficient solar-thermal electricity generating system for stand-alone non-grid-connected power generation in the range of 10 kilowatt with an investment of 1.500 ECU/kW and negligible maintenance and running costs.
The deliverables will be :
1. Feasibility study : Technical evaluation of the REMINEL-project 2. Technical note : Hydride selection and evaluation for the REMINEL-project In order to offer a consumer-friendly electricity production system based on renewable energy, the problem arises of matching the incoming renewable energy with the power demand pattern of the consumer.
In the Solar-Hydrogen concepts photovoltaics, windturbines, electrolytes, batteries and fuel cells are the major components.
Not only the technical state-of-the-art and cost of these components but also their interfacing problems, reliability and maintenance have led up to now only to a few demonstration projects with big budgets involved, but no commercial output has been achieved.
The members of this proposal are convinced that with what will be described as the REMINEL-project a concept is introduced which opens commercial applications.
The Dish-Stirling system consisting of a parabolic concentrator and a Stirling engine is accepted as being the most efficient technology among the solar-thermal electricity generating systems for converting solar radiation into electric current.
In order to develop a system which enables to produce electricity on demand, even when solar radiation is not available, the Dish-Stirling system is enlarged with a hydrogen storage system.
The storage system based on metal hydrides is efficient, highly reliable, low-investment cost with no operational cost.
The basic principle of REMINEL is to produce electricity directly with a Stirling engine and store the surplus when solar radiation is available and, when solar radiation is not available, to release heat from the metal-hydride and use the Stirling engine to produce electricity.
When in operation, the Dish-Stirling system has to track the sun in two axes. The principal criteria governing the choice of the tracking system and drives are :
* low power consumption ( < 1 % )
* simple and reliable control system
* use of low-cost series-produced components
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcontrol systems
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesmeteorologysolar radiation
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfuel cells
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysolar energyphotovoltaic
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
3800 Sint-Truiden
Belgium