References

SME Instrument - Business Acceleration Services

SME Instrument - Phase 1

SME Instrument - Phase 2

European Research Area (ERA-NET)

EASE/EERA Energy Storage Technology Development Roadmap

Project partner: ESDA Technologie GmbH

The challenge

In the low-temperature range (approx. -20 to +100 °C), the largest amount of thermal energy is needed, e.g. for heating or air conditioning of buildings. The share of this in the total primary energy demand is about 40%. Phase change materials (PCM) are some of the key technologies in the energy revolution and thermal optimisation of technical processes. This saves the enormous energy and CO2 amounts named above. Because of this, there have been efforts to transfer PCMs (paraffins, their derivatives, salt hydrates, etc.) into an application-friendly form. To date, micro- and macro-encapsulation of PCM has turned out to be technically as well as economically unsuitable for a wide-spread application.

Our contribution:

ESDA Technologie GmbH develops the "Heatsel" PCM capsule that represents macro-encapsulation of phase change materials for use as a heat-carrier medium in gaseous and aqueous systems. EurA applies for the subsidies for this project. The project is in first place among the six subsidised projects. 108 applications have been filed in total. Our project application was given maximum points.

Project partner: Thermico GmbH & Co. KG

The challenge:

Plastics are used in nearly any industry sector due to their beneficial properties - from construction management to automotive construction to aviation. Use of recycled plastics is very important here, since machines and systems must be adjusted to these materials. Wearing of the parts and standstill of the machines when switching to recycled plastics should be avoided as far as possible.

Our contribution:

Thermico develops a cost-efficient coating technology called "nanoHPcs", which can apply carbide layers to parts. This leads to extremely wear-proof surfaces for processing of recycled plastics. Thermico charges EurA with applying for phase 2 of the EU SME-Instrument. The EU subsidises the project "nanoHPcs" with a project volume of about 2.8 million Euro. Thus, Thermico is playing in the Champions' League of EU-subsidised SME. This would have been impossible without the support of EurA.

Project partners: Fachhochschule Aachen, ematec AG, Gebr. Käufer GmbH

The challenge:

Towers and rotors of wind turbine generators (WTGs) require regular cleaning, maintenance and repair in case of damage. Such maintenance work, which arises with increasing frequency over the course of a WTG's service life, is permitted with simple tools such as cranes or industrial abseilers. Such work is expensive, time-consuming and dangerous for persons working at great heights. They often have to be delayed due to weather, which leads to extended standstills.

The university of applied sciences Aachen cooperates with its industry partners ematec AG and Gebr. Käufer GmbH to develop a climbing service platform called "SMART" (Scanning, Monitoring, Analysing, Repair and Transportation) with a closed work cabin that moves up the tower on its own all the way to the rotor blades and the nacelle of the ATG.

Project partners:

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Fraunhofer Institut für Silikatforschung,

Universität Picosun Oy (Finnland), Universität Vilnius (Litauen),

Instituto de Desenvolvimento de Novas Tecnologias (Portugal)

The challenge:

Future optoelectronic modules will require ultra-thin, chemically stable layers with insulation and barrier properties. OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is launching the "FLINGO" (FunctionaL Inorganic layers for Next Generation Optical devices) research project. The goal of the project is the concerted development of highly transparent, conductive layers for novel LED applications. Promising nanomaterials are combined with state-of-the-art coating processes to develop new processes and materials for the extreme optical, electrical and mechanical challenges in the cost-intensive, high-volume opto-electronic industry.

Project partners:

VARTA Microbattery GmbH, Uppsala Universitet (Schweden)

VARTA Storage GmbH, Commissariat à l’energie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (Frankreich), WMG, University of Warwick (UK),

MCL Materials Center Loeben Forschung GmbH (Österreich)

VARTA Micro Innovation GmbH, Uniwersytet Warszawski (Polen)

The challenge:

According to the EU Roadmap "Energy Storage Technology Development" (EASE/EERA), the topic of energy storage will become of the greatest importance in terms of European energy targets by 2030. So far, however, there are only a few technically sophisticated and economically viable battery storage technologies. The "Sintbat" cooperation network has therefore set itself the goal of developing an energy storage system based on lithium-ions that is cost-effective in production, investment and operation, energy-efficient (mass- and volume-related energy density, capacity), low-maintenance and has an availability of 20 to 25 years.