Description du projet
Une technologie révolutionnaire pour exploiter l’énergie marine
Bien qu’en théorie l’énergie houlomotrice soit la plus fiable et la plus puissante des énergies renouvelables, elle reste la moins développée. Les difficultés liées à la conception, à la durabilité et à la mise en place des dispositifs ont freiné son développement, sans parler des préoccupations environnementales concernant la vie marine. Le projet IMAGINE, financé par l’UE, entend élaborer, fabriquer et démontrer un concept de prototype de générateur électromécanique (EMG pour «electromechanical generator») destiné aux applications houlomotrices, qui sera capable de convertir un mouvement linéaire alternatif à faible vitesse en électricité. L’architecture de l’EMG améliorera considérablement l’efficacité (70 à 85 %), la fiabilité (20 ans de temps moyen de bon fonctionnement entre défaillances) et la rentabilité (réduction de 50 % des dépenses d’investissement). À l’issue de tests sur un banc d’essai, les risques technologiques seront réduits et l’équipe élaborera un plan d’affaires.
Objectif
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.
Champ scientifique
- 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
Mots‑clés
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinateur
06034 Foligno Pg
Italie