Descripción del proyecto
Tecnología de energía undimotriz para aprovechar la energía marina
En teoría, la energía producida por las olas es más fiable y potente que otras renovables, pero es la menos desarrollada. Los problemas de diseño, durabilidad y colocación de los dispositivos han frenado su desarrollo, por no hablar de la preocupación medioambiental por la vida marina. El objetivo del proyecto IMAGINE, financiado con fondos europeos, es diseñar, fabricar y probar un prototipo de generador electromecánico (EMG, por sus siglas en inglés) para aplicaciones de energía undimotriz capaz de convertir un movimiento lineal alternativo de baja velocidad en electricidad. La arquitectura del EMG mejorará de manera notable la eficiencia (70-85 %), la fiabilidad (20 años de intervalo medio entre fallos) y la asequibilidad (reducción del 50 % de los gastos de capital). Después de su evaluación en un banco de pruebas de sistema físico en la realimentación, se reducirán los riesgos tecnológicos y se desarrollará un plan de negocio.
Objetivo
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.
Ámbito científico
- 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
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Convocatoria de propuestas
Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoriaConvocatoria de subcontratación
H2020-LCE-2017-RES-RIA-TwoStage
Régimen de financiación
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinador
06034 Foligno Pg
Italia