The goal of the GRID4EU project is to carry on demonstration pilots of Smart Grids solutions on a large scale basis. It proposes solutions that go beyond the existing limits for electricity networks through the large scale integration of distributed generation, the improvement of energy efficiency, the enabling and integration of active demand and  new electricity uses.

The GRID4EU programme brings together a consortium of 6 European distributors (ERDF, ENEL, Iberdrola, CEZ, Vattenfall and RWE). It will help to test the potential of smart grids in the field of integration with renewable energies, electric vehicle development, network automation, energy storage, energy efficiency and removal solutions.

This programme, started as part of a call for proposals from the European Commission, plans for the development of the electricity networks of the future. Financed by the European Commission to the amount of €25M, this project, the estimated cost of which is estimated at €54M, is the largest funded by the European Union in the field of smart grids.

In this framework Enel will perform a  project focused on the integration into distribution grid of energy production from renewable through advanced control systems; the budget for Enel project amounts to  8.2 million Euro. It will be carried out in the  Forlì-Cesena area, together with  other 4 partners (Energy System Research, Selta, Siemens, and Cisco). Activities in the region of Romagna will be performed in two high and medium voltage substations and the corresponding medium voltage network.

• Partners: 28, including 6 electricity distribution operators: Enel, Cez, Rwe, Erdf, Iberdrola, Vattenfall.

• solar thermodynamic
• solar photovoltaics
• Biomass and biofuels
• Solar heating at low and medium temperature
• Hydrogen, fuel cells and energy storage systems.

The structure will perform applied research on renewable and alternative energy sources. Research will focus on the most promising production technologies.

The HLab activities will focus primarily on:

• the measure of energy efficiency of different systems installed;
• the observation of how systems evolve over time;
• the influence of environmental factors;
• the identification and prevention of problems;
• the assessment of actual costs;
• the opportunity to make improvements to the current technical solutions.

Initially, the lab will have two sections: one dedicated to photovoltaics and one dedicated to hydrogen.

• Combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) plants;
• Small-medium size plants locally distributed;
• Plants with maximization of the energy recovery from the primary sources: maximum exergy efficiency of the whole system;
• Flexibility in the use of local primary sources (biogas, bio-syngas, bio-fuels);
• Easy and efficient CO2 separation from the plant exhaust

This are the criteria to pursue in order to acheive a new energy framework, based on the concepts of sustainability, energy security using local resources, maximization of the exergy efficiency of the whole system.

Among the technologies which could satisfy these criteria, a new technology is gaining more and more interest: energy systems based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) which, in the medium term, could become one of the most interesting technologies able to address the above criteria.

SOFCOM is an applied research project devoted to demonstrate the technical feasibility and the energy and environmental advantages of CCHP plants based on SOFC fed by different typologies of biogenous primary fuels (locally produced), also integrated by a process for the CO2 separation from the anode exhaust gases.

The partners are located throughout the EU.

More info here.

Aim of the project: develop, experiment and validate decontamination processes of land and water tables. Those processes will use gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen in different concentrations, applied on contaminated matrixes in different operative conditions. In such a way the project will allow to verify the effects of heavy metals mobility reduction.

Description: The project consists in the research and the experimentation of bioremediation processes, evaluating the use of gaseous mixturse containing hydrogen and nitrogen, with donation of electrones instead of using organic molecules as acids or alchools. On the base of laboratory results, the project will evaluate the opportunities and will identify the operative procedures to follow for testing in situ, providing to the design and the realization of the plants (containment systems of polluted material, systems for the distribution and the insufflation of gaseous mixtures, air sparging and storage plants, mixing, distribution and insufflation of gas in the underground).

Total investment: € 1.004.688

Financing granted: € 325.675

Duration: 24 months

Start date: 10.2011

Source: HydrogenPark

dated April 2011.

Aim of the project: The project is aimed at the production of a new generation of side loaders at low environmental impact.

Description: The project is aimed to produce a prototype of side loader with lifting power of 6-7 tons, with electrical traction and lifting systems powered by the current generated by traditional batteries or by a battery at combustion of hydrogen. The fuel cell will reload the batteries and also will contribute, by mean of parallel connection with the batteries, to supply more energy to the electric motor, when the side loader requires high power. The fuel cell will be PEM and will be feeded with hydrogen at very high pressure, in bottles.

Total investment: € 1.082.192

Financing granted: € 442.263

Duration: 24 months

Start date: 09.2011

Source: HydrogenPark

Among the projects approved by Veneto Regional Council for access to grants for research and development of hydrogen technology (here the resolution) there is a project proposed by ENEL SpA: Development of ultra low NOx combustor for hydrogen.

Aim of the project: Develop an innovative combustion system for turbines fed by hydrogen, characterized by very low NO_x emissions. The project is aimed at the reduction of NO_x emissions to 100 mg/Nm3, without the need of inert gas injection, or with very small quantities, even when operating with pure hydrogen.

Description: The project consists in the identification and demonstration on pilot scale of technologies that can allow the hydrogen combustion in a safe and reliable way, with NO_x emissions much lower of those obtained with the technologies used in the industrial combustors. A prototype in scale of the combustor will be tested in temperature and pressure conditions similar to those of industrial machines. This project will identify the cycles for electric power generation based on gas turbines, that allow to reduce the CO₂emissions in atmosphere, as well as to identify further development lines, and also to reduce consumptions, costs and environmental impact.

Total investment: € 3.965.172

Financing granted: € 1.285.550

Duration: 24 months

Start date: 07.2011

Other partners: Padua University, CREAR, IFRE

Source: HydrogenPark

The hydrogen technologies development and application are another driving force for economic growth in Veneto Region and in particular in Porto Marghera, where an agreement between the Region and the Ministry have formed a specific specialized center (District of hydrogen in Marghera) ”. This was stated by Renato Chisso (Legge speciale per Venezia commissioner).

A competent board, established at Veneto Innovazione SpA, evaluated the four applications submitted by the deadline. Three were declared eligible and placed on the list, for a total expenditure of over 6 million and a contribution of about 2.53 million euros eligible.

Companies accepted are: Baumann srl, a temporary group of companies led by Enel Igegneria e Innovazione and Sapio hydrogen and oxygen production.

Source: Regione Veneto

In 2006 and 2007 – as expected from the project – were launched by Eni (one of the 16 project partners) two hydrogen  filling stations in Mantova (hydrogen is produced inside the station, with a natural gas reformer of 20 mc/h) and Frankfurt.

The project continues today: eni is committed to open 30 new plants for the supply of CNG by 2012. These are the terms of the agreement, signed by Regione Lombardia and eni, for sustainable mobility and development of the network of natural gas. Besides the objective of developing the use of CNG, there is also the desire to spread out the use of hydrogen in internal combustion engines. In fact, compared to pure methane, methane-hydrogen mixture provides several advantages: quicker ignition, better combustion and a net reduction of CO2 emissions and pollutants from the combustion of hydrocarbons.

As stated by eni, the distribution and use of hydro-methane doesn’t arise technical problems, unlike some issues such as tax treatment and measurement that are yet to be determined. This is why, for now, the Assago filling station operates in the experimental stage, supplying only the region’s fleet which consists of 10 hydro-methane Fiat Panda and 10 Fiat Panda bi-fuel CNG / gasoline, which has now become trifuel (their gas installation has been made compatible with hydrogen, and methane-hydrogen mixture).

In addition to the Assago filling station, the 20 Fiat Panda can also refuel at another hydro-methane station in Monza, which will soon be in operation.

MobyPost, started in february 2011 for a period of 36 months, received funding of  € 4,26 million from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH-JU) with funds from the Seventh Framework Programme. It involves 9 partners in 4 European member states (France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland), 5 industrial enterprises and 4 research organisation.

More information here.