GENERA’ 09 PRESENTS THE PROJECTS SELECTED FOR ITS INNOVATION GALLERY
. Energy efficiency, the impact of technological innovation on the markets, optimised processes and improved performance were among the criteria applied by a panel of expert judges when choosing the 18 projects to include in this exclusive exhibition.
18 projects have been selected for the INNOVATION GALLERY at the Energy and Environment International Trade Fair, GENERA 09, which is organised by IFEMA and due to take place at the Feria de Madrid from 12 to 14 May. The judges, all renowned experts in the Spanish energy sector, based their decisions on the innovative nature of the proposals presented, their impact on energy efficiency and the performance of the various technologies.
This is the second INNOVATION GALLERY to be organised within the scope of the Trade Fair. It has already proven to be an ideal platform for communicating the results of research conducted within the field of renewable energy both in the public and private sectors. The main difference this year is that the event is open and free for any company or institution presenting an innovative project that can be effectively applied and is market orientated. This initiative clearly demonstrates the role of GENERA as a driving force for the development of renewable energy within the Spanish market. The Trade Fair uses practical examples to communicate its innovative character and its contribution to the environment and technological progress.
COMPANIES AND PROJECTS SELECTED
Photovoltaic technology
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INTEGRABUS SYSTEM
AN INDEPENDENT MODULAR MULTIPLE-INPUT DEVICE FOR USE IN CONTINUOUS MODE FOR ENERGY CONVERSION
SWIVEL SUN (SWS SYSTEM)
SOLUTION FOR LOCATIONS WHERE THERE IS DIFFICULTY ACCESSING THE ELECTRICITY NETWORK
KUBERTOR
DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) MODULES WITH A “PV BUILDING ELEMENT” AND ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTION |
Energy efficiency
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ALEXANDRA BUILDING |
ELECTRO KINETIC ROAD RAMP |
Biomass
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PROCESO GRAU PROJECT |
ELECTROTERM. |
Wind power
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A NEW BLADE CONCEPT FOR HORIZONTAL-AXIS WIND TURBINES |
WINDSPIRE |
WINDSPOT |
Cogeneration
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PLANT FOR THE RECOVERY OF ENERGY FROM LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS APPLIED TO DISTRIBUTED COGENERATION.. |
| TITAN 250 AND THAT OF THE REGENERATIVE CYCLE, MERCURY 50 |
Wave power generation
Other technologies
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PROCESS FOR THE APPLICATION OF BIOCATALYSED ELECTROLYSIS (BE) TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT |
JUMBOSOLAR |
COMPANIES AND PROJECTS SELECTED
PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY
BP Solar
The INTEGRABUS system, designed and patented by BP Solar, integrates by-pass diodes into a lightweight printed circuit that is laminated and encapsulated within a photovoltaic module, protecting it from adverse weather conditions. This optimised interconnection system dissipates heat better, therefore preventing the cells from overheating, and decreases the temperature of the diodes when they are in operation. This increases the module’s useful life while retaining all the advantages of a conventional diode system.
The technology also increases the reliability of the photovoltaic module since the interconnection system is fixed mechanically and soldered for maximum security. This therefore avoids problems that can arise in modules that are only mechanically fixed, since these can become loose due to vibrations or sudden movements during transportation or handling, or those which are fixed by soldering only, since electrical resistance can increase if this is not done accurately.
GreenPowerMonitor
GreenPowerMonitor has presented the INNOVATION GALLERY with an independent modular multiple-input device for use in continuous mode for energy conversion. The main innovation is the master-slave technology between inputs. The centralised control and the special configuration of the inputs’ switching elements permit the joining of the input currents, offering a wide range of possibilities. With this system there are always repose conversion units available, with which each one of the conversion units comprising the modular inverter device can make conversions, either at the associated continuous input or at the inverter’s other inputs. This represents great advantages in performance, availability and equipment life usefulness compared to the traditional configuration. For example, photovoltaic installations will increase their energy generation capacity by more than 0.5%.
Efener Enginyeria
This company will present a single axis solar tracker (azimuth movement) for roofs, called SWIVEL SUN (SWS system). The system has an aluminium structure and a modular surface of 25.6 m2.
The SWS system optimises energy efficiency in roof-installed photovoltaic plants by between 25% and 30% compared to conventional static fixing structures. The system is innovative for its mechanical design and control system. The greatest difficulty has been in obtaining a product that is robust enough to work outdoors, without interruption, for 25 years, while keeping manufacturing, assembly and maintenance costs down.
Eurener
This company presented a solution for locations where there is difficulty accessing the electricity network. The solution consists of an autonomous solar lighting system, which may be adapted to urban and naval environments. The system includes a lighting subsystem and electrical power supply subsystem in one single unit. The lighting subsystem incorporates an LED-based mechanism, which may be adapted as necessary to its surroundings, while the electrical power supply subsystem comprises an autonomous photovoltaic solar power mechanism (modules, regulator, batteries and inverter).
Eurner uses lead-free solder materials and high efficiency monocrystalline and polycrystalline cells in the modules (15.0% and 16.8%). It also incorporates Schottky by-pass diodes, Multi-Contact connectors and 4 mm thick extra-clear, high transparency tempered glass.
Procesos y Soluciones Solares
KUBERTOR is an automatic protection system for thermal and photovoltaic solar collectors designed by Procesos y Soluciones Solares. The system is integrated into collection systems and is activated and deactivated using system temperature sensors depending on the temperature range indicated. As well as preventing problems such as overheating it extends the efficiency of the solar systems over time and prevents breakages caused by hail. Depending on the model, it can provide additional protection for areas in which snow is common so that the collectors can be operated before the snow melts.
The system comprises two lateral guides along which slats travel. These are pulled by a steel cable that goes inside the guides. This supports a bar linking the two guides and pulls the geotextile which covers the plates.
Vidursolar
The Vidursolar company presented its design solutions for the integration of photovoltaic (PV) modules with a “PV building element” and architectural solution. They present two options: the manufacture of translucent PV modules and integration of PV cells with decorative screen-printing on glass, thus offering the architect a wide range of possibilities for modern, ecological and sustainable architecture.
The Vidursolar PV module is formed by two sheets of tempered glass with photovoltaic solar cells encapsulated between them, thus allowing the light to enter depending on the distance between each of the cells. Vidursolar PV modules may be installed on any conventional front, roof or architectural integration either by fixing them along the four edges or at certain points in point-fixed systems. The electrical connections may be via rear connection boxes or side terminals. In all cases, the by-pass diodes required to protect the cells against local overheating will be incorporated.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Abac Enginyers
This engineering company, commissioned by Vimusa (Municipal Housing in Sabadell) and working in collaboration with ICAEN (Catalan Energy Institute) and the Sabadell Town Council, has certified the EDIFICIO ALEXANDRA (Alexandra building) Project, which is currently being built in this Catalan town. This is a 14,500 m2 complex where 168 homes will be built on public land.
The building incorporates constructional and functional solutions, simulated using the LIDER and CALENER tools, which have resulted in the project obtaining the highest energy classification, ‘A’. The solutions include passive systems (orientation, ventilated fronts and roofs or adjustable shades) and active energy systems: centralised management system, climate-control within the homes based on under floor radiant heating working at low temperatures; climate control in the service centre and library using air-water equipment, the lay-out of which depends on the function and service hours; performance of dynamic studies on energy demand and management of overlaps to minimise the total installed capacity and energy consumption; photovoltaic solar installation on roof with a capacity of 28 kWp and forecast production of 33,457 kWh a year; lighting of public spaces using sensors that detect and determine the level of external lighting; installation of energy saving bulbs in internal spaces and LEDs for external spaces; construction of its own transformer station to buy medium voltage electrical power and thermal production centralised via highly efficient geothermal heat pumps.
The judges of the second edition of the INNOVATION GALLERY particularly appreciated the replicability of the project (other proposals with these solutions are currently in the study phase, such as La Serra 5/6 and Can Llong 4) and the high energy efficiency levels.
Eco-Raec
 This Navarre-based company is presenting a device known as the ELECTRO KINETIC ROAD RAMP at the second edition of the INNOVATION GALLERY. This was designed to generate electrical power using the kinetic and potential energy of vehicles driving over this ramp.
The electricity generated varies depending on the number of devices installed, the number of vehicles driving over the ramp, their weight and frequency. On driving over the device, which is installed on the road surface, the vehicles move plates that transfer energy to generators, without emitting any polluting waste.
Electro Kinetic Road Ramp may be installed anywhere where there is a high flow of traffic to cover the electricity supply for street lighting, road signs and traffic lights, etc. The device is three metres wide, 50 cm high and the length varies depending on the project. The plates, which stick out 2 cm from the road surface, do not obstruct driving.
BIOMASS
Enreco 2000
Enreco 2000 presented the PROCESO GRAU project to the INNOVATION GALLERY. This is an innovative system for producing gas from biomass, in which wood is cut rather than ground. Once the wood has been cut into pieces it is entered in the reactor, which enables the combination of two processes: the first is endothermic and the second is gasification.
In the first process heat is required to "dry distill" the wood, transform the wood from the biomass into pure charcoal and capture the pyroligneous acid using a condenser. The acid is then distilled and exploitable raw materials are produced via another chemical process, the non-condensable gases are channelled and transferred to the motor.
Once the pure charcoal is obtained, the second process begins without moving it from its corresponding cells. By by-pasing the collector which leads to the condenser, the carbon is transferred to the generator collector. This second process is gasification, which starts after initial ignition via a small valve. The gasification process produces a rich and clean gas, which is smoke-free, does not contain pyroligneous acids and is free from nitrogen, in comparison to the type of gas obtained using a normal gasifier. This innovative process multiplies the energy power of the biomass and reduces emissions volumes.
Eratic
 Eratic presented a trigeneration system consisting of the combined generation of heat, cold and electricity, using biomass as fuel. The Eratic system is used in ELECTROTERM plants.
It is a pioneering system comprising a thermal plant with a 3500 kWt thermal oil heater, joined to a combustion room with a Movilterm inclined travelling grate. This grate is the most suitable for burning different types of biomass, with automatic power supply and an ash extraction system.
The plant supplies a generator module to produce electric and thermal energy. Meanwhile, the hot gases produced by the thermal oil heater are recovered in a 350 kWt exchanger to produce hot water.
Taking a hospital in the South of Paris as a means of example, the total planned production is 625 kWe and 3160 kWt of hot water to meet the hospital’s heating and domestic hot water needs, as well the building’s air-conditioning via generator sets for cooling supplied with hot water.
The installation also has a particle emission reduction system, comprising a multi-cyclone scrubber and an electrostatic precipitator. The planned savings amount to three million litres of gas-oil a year and the emission of more than 4500 tons of CO2 a year will be prevented.
WIND POWER
Esdras
 The Esdras engineering company, after evaluating a new blade concept for horizontal-axis wind turbines, has designed two prototypes that they will present at the INNOVATION GALLERY at GENERA 09. One includes a sub-blade structure (SBS) and another has conventional modern blades to be used as a reference. Both types of blades support the necessary loads to operate the wind turbine in class I, according to IEC standards, and with 5 MW of nominal capacity. Their studies show that blades comprising a sub-blade structure require 41.7% less mass than the reference blades. This has a favourable impact on the cost of the rotor and the gravitational and inertial loads that have to support other elements in the wind turbines.
The operation of the wind turbines, with these blades installed, has been simulated during one full year to evaluate the differences in efficiency. The simulation concluded that even with the significant reduction in mass, the wind turbine equipped with the blades comprising a sub-blade structure generates 2.9% more energy a year than the wind turbine equipped with reference blades.
Mariah Power
The American company Mariah Power presented their WINDSPIRE solution for the INNOVATION GALLERY. This appliance is made from 95% recycled materials, has 1.2 kW of capacity, is plug-n-play and is propeller free. It has a nine metre vertical axis and a two metre radius, it uses wind power, is extremely quiet and is of solid construction and is reasonably priced.
Mariah Power technology includes a complete system: rotor, generator and an inverter to optimise the conversion of wind power into electricity. Windspire will produce approximately 2000 kW/h a year, with an average wind speed of 12 miles/hour. It also includes a ZigBee modem, which continuously transmits information on the power produced directly to a computer.
Tecain Medioambiental
The Tecain Medioambiental company presented several small three blade wind turbines called WINDSPOT, whose main innovation lies in the inclusion of a system to vary the blade pitch via a certain angular speed in the rotor, based on centrifugal force of levers supporting the blades’ torsion axis. At a certain speed, the centrifugal force is transmitted to the axis which, via a simple mechanism, is transformed into linear movement, cushioned by a spring and hydraulic piston.
The aim of the system is to maintain the angular speed corresponding to the generator’s nominal capacity, thus increasing the wind-speed fields necessary for the system’s generation and productivity.
Its application, for capacities of 1.5, 3 and 6 kW, is particularly suitable for locations where there is no connection to the electricity network or for users that do not want to depend on this network.
COGENERATION
Fundación Cidaut
This foundation has developed a small plant for the recovery of energy from lignocellulosic biomass applied to distributed cogeneration.
The system is integrated into a module for the production of 100 kW of electrical energy and is based on the transformation of biomass (woodchip and waste from agro-forestry pruning) into a “lean gas” used as a fuel to supply four alternative conventional spark ignition internal combustion engines upon which constructional modifications and the necessary controls for operation with gas have been performed. Each of the motors is attached to an electric energy generator.
 The module (with dimensions of 12 x 2.5 metres) integrates the gas generation system (gasifier), gas conditioning and electric and thermal energy generation system in one single platform and interconnects these with the automatic control systems. The plant has a nominal capacity of 100 kW electrical, with the possibility to recover up to 22 kW thermal depending on the thermal level required.
Turbomach
The Turbomach company presented the Titan 250 and that of the regenerative cycle, Mercury 50, to the INNOVATION GALLERY at GENERA. Both cogeneration equipments are designed to obtain greatest energy efficiency when working at maximum capacity.
The Titan 250 is a turbogenerator developed from the Titan 130 and is designed and manufactured for a capacity of 21,750 kW, obtaining an electrical efficiency of 39.5%. The Mercury 50, with 4600 kW and a Heat Rate of 9349 kJ/kWh, has an electrical efficiency of 38.5%. Its main innovation is the incorporation of a heat exchanger in its combustion air entry system, which makes it a regenerative cycle turbine. This system reduces the fuel required in the combustion room to obtain the desired temperatures.
GENERACIÓN UNDIMOTRIZ
Wedge Global
 The WEDGE PROJECT, presented to the INNOVATION GALLERY by Wedge Global, is a linear generator for producing electric energy from waves or wave power generation. This device produces electricity from the oscillating movement of a mobile part called the translator. Energy is produced when an external force, the wave, causes the translator to move from the stator, or fixed part. This force may be associated to the differential flotation of two buoys or with pressure generated by the height of the wave, etc.
Since the Wedge generator is based on the idea of multi-translators, it eliminates the problem of scalability and allows for the possibility of high power machines, with ranges around 1500 W. Its main advantage with respect to other linear generators is the absence of magnets in its structure, which increases the reliability of the system due to its mechanical simplicity.
OTHER TECHNOLOGIES
University of Leon
The University of Leon along with the Isolux Corsan company presented a process for the application of biocatalysed electrolysis (BE) to wastewater treatment. The project involves the study, performed on a pilot plant, that, by supplying a certain amount of electricity, eliminates a significant part of the organic material from wastewater while also obtaining a gaseous fuel (hydrogen) whose combustion does not generate polluting emissions. This hydrogen production model, with 90% efficiency (10 Nm3 H2/m3 reactor/day), is obtained by reversing the normal functioning of a microbial fuel cell, a device which is capable of converting chemical energy from a wide range of organic compounds into electrical energy via catalytic action. The structure of the said device is similar to that of a conventional fuel cell. In this way, it helps reduce the external energy dependence generating a fuel that is free from polluting emissions.
In addition to this line of research, the University of Leon is also looking into the production and purification of hydrogen via the fermentation of biowaste. The hydrogen produced is called biohydrogen and is obtained via a two-stage anaerobic digestion process. In this way, hydrogen and methane are obtained as combustible gas, destined for energy recovery and stable end products which may be applied as nutritional feed and organic conditioner for soil. This has been possible based on two trials: co-fermentation of the organic fraction of solid urban waste (OFSUW) and the blood waste obtained from a poultry processing plant; and the production of hydrogen from OFSUW, evaluating the functioning of the system when agitated and static.
Grammer Solar
The second edition of the INNOVATON GALLERY will present a simple high-performance solution, called JUMBOSOLAR, destined for locations requiring increased temperature either for heating or as part of an industrial process. The main component of this project is the GLK air collectors. The air enters via the GLK F filter, is transported via the intermediary GLK M collectors and enters the building, already hot, via the last GLK E collector. The overall dimensions are 22.5 x 1.006 x 0.175 m and the total weight on the roof is 720 kg. The ventilator, installed inside, is a RR315 C ventilator which at 250 Pa moves a flow of 1240 m3/hr. From here, the air is distributed to the lower part of the location via steel pipes measuring 250 mm in diameter. The temperature control system is a Delta Sol BS Plus Controller.
The emission of a total of 3400 kg of CO2 a year is prevented using this system.
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