In line with the call H2020- LCE-03-2014, ORC-PLUS focuses on increasing the technological performance of renewable energy systems, reducing costs and improving dispatchability. The aim is to develop an optimized combination of innovative Thermal Energy Storage-TES (specialized for CSP scale 1-5 MWe) and engineering solutions to improve the number of production hours of an existing small CSP plant, located in a desert area and coupled with an ORC system. With an optimized TES solution, it is possible to extend periods of energy production of a CSP plant (also during non-solar radiation), eliminating or minimizing the need to burn fossil or renewable fuels in hybrid or back-up systems. Nowadays, efforts are being devoted to R&D on TES for large-scale plants, though large potential for small/medium-scale CSP installations exists. ORC-PLUS is in the spectrum of “large scale prototype to pre-commercial scale demonstration”. The technology proposed is based on a solar field, using a thermal oil as Heat Transfer Fluid and ORC power unit coupled with an innovative TES. Experimental demonstration of two different industrial prototypes of TES systems will be performed in relevant environment (TRL 6). For each prototype, a simulation model of the pilot processes will be developed, with prototypes of TES systems. The models will be optimized on the basis of the characteristics of the site and power load, to determine conditions and relevant parameters of the real scenarios for each application and to select the TES technology best fitting the needs of the targeted sector. Final result will be an industrial pilot plant used to validate the technology in a real operational environment and to demonstrate its feasibility (TLR7). Validation includes an analysis of the techno-economic viability and environmental impact, and of the replicability of the pilot plant final design. This proposal is supported by three support letters of ESTELA, ANEST and Green Energy Park (Morocco).

The project main goal is to develop new generation batteries for battery storage with a modular technology, suitable for different applications and fulfilling the increasing need of decentralised energy production and supply for private households and industrial robotised devices.. New materials and components will be developed and optimised to achieve longer lifetime (up to 10,000 cycles depending on the material selected), lower costs (down to 0.03 €/kWh/cycle), improved safety and more efficient recycling (>50%). The expected results will strengthen EU competitiveness in advanced materials and nanotechnologies and the related battery storage value chain, preparing European industry to be competitive in these new markets. This will be achieved by using high capacity anodes coupled with cobalt free cathode and with a very safe gel polymer electrolyte separator, leveraging partners’ knowledge in advanced materials. This new technology will be developed up to a TRL 6 (large prismatic cell ESP-Cell 30Ah) at the end of the project, producing these novel high voltage high capacity batteries close to practical applications. Further, the proposed solution will allow Europe to become more independent from raw material and the feasibility of a metal recovery process will be deeply investigated and recommendations for future application will be made. To achieve the ambitious targets, the CoFBAT project covers the entire value chain, bringing together industrial experts in material development and battery science together with engineering companies and institutes and battery producers and integrators.

To date, the battery market is dominated by lithium-ion (Li-ion) chemistries, as the energy density has more than doubled and their costs have dropped by a factor of at least 10. However, conventional Li-ion batteries (LIB) are reaching their performance limits in terms of energy density and facing safety issues, is required the development and production of new battery generations, such as Solid-State Batteries (SSBs), to create a new industry value chain in Europe towards their commercialization. Consequently, high-energy-density EU-made SSBs will ensure the supply of, among others, the automotive sector. To do so, the development and deployment of new manufacturing technologies, enabling the large-scale production of SSBs, is crucial. Indeed, among the overarching themes to develop and produce sustainable batteries in the future, the BATTERY 2030+ roadmap4 considers manufacturability as a cross-cutting key area. Innovative and scalable manufacturing techniques to produce SSBs will accelerate cost reduction, energy savings, and enhanced safety. ADVAGEN will develop a new lithium metal (LiM) battery cell technology based on a safe, reliable, and high performing hybrid solid-state electrolyte (LLZO-LPS based), gaining a competitive advantage over the worldwide (mainly Asian) competition. This will sustainably strengthen the EU as a technological and manufacturing leader in batteries as specified in the ERTRAC electrification roadmap and SET-Plan Action Point-7. ADVAGEN consortium contains key EU actors in the battery sector, from industrial materials producers (SCHT, CPT, ABEE), battery manufacturer (ABEE) to R&D centers (IKE, CEA, IREC, TUB, CICe, POLITO, INEGI, UL, FEV) and the automotive industry (TME), covering the complete knowledge and value chain. By developing high-performance, affordable and safe batteries, ADVAGEN aims to re-establish European competitiveness in battery cell production.

Supercapacitors are a promising solution for fast charging and regenerative energy acquisition, with potential market applications in the near future, incl. e-vehicles and space applications. A deep analysis of the supercapacitor technology and market state of the art was undertaken by ENERCAP as a sound basis for a training network that meets academic and industrial needs. The results revealed that the lack of novel materials and electrolytes that meet the industrial requirements of higher energy densities and the lack of new industrially compatible materials, processes and prototypes are major challenges towards a successful market introduction of the supercapacitor technology. It became evident that Europe currently lags behind the USA and Asia in supercapacitor innovation and market performance due to the lack of intersectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration between academia and industry, a clear barrier for technology transfer and bringing innovation to the market. As a response to these challenges, ENERCAP gathered for the first time the most renowned academic players in the field together with driving force companies in order to create a European Network to Empower Research on the field of CAPacitors, ensuring technology transfer. Furthermore, ENERCAP aims to, by means of an innovative training network, create a critical mass of future top-class researchers able to respond to innovation challenges in the field of supercapacitors. ENERCAP is devoted to provide future researchers with the skills to produce innovative ideas that can be transferred to market applications. Through a comprehensive training programme driven by the needs of industry, ESRs will not only be provided with necessary interdisciplinary knowledge and research techniques but become entrepreneurially spirited researchers who own a broad range of transferable skills and are able to envisage the needs of markets and end-users while being at the frontier of research.

SPINMATE aims to demonstrate a scalable, sustainable, safe and cost-effective digital-driven proof-of-concept pilot line, at a TRL6 level, as a first step towards the large-scale manufacturing of generation 4b (Gen 4b) SSB cells and module, in order to support the electrification of the automotive sector. To do so, SPINMATE proposes the development and implementation of innovative and scalable manufacturing and processing solutions (notching/cutting, stacking and sealing/packaging steps, among others). Furthermore, new industry 4.0 and 5.0 concepts (Industrial Internet of Things – IIoT and Machine Learning – ML algorithms, Digital Twins, giga-factory line simulation,…) are proposed to be applied for the digitalisation of the proof-of-concept pilot line, as well as the assembly and manufacturing processes. Thus, SPINMATE will manufacture small 1 Ah and large 10 Ah SSB cells, after the development and optimisation of (i) advanced solid polymer electrolyte with high ionic conductivity and wide electrochemical stability, (ii) Li metal foil with surface treatment enabling a more stable interface as anode and (iii) Ni-rich layered oxide cathode with improved cycling stability. Regarding electrodes (i.e. anode and cathode) and electrolyte processing, innovative solvent-free extrusion routes, roll-to-roll approach and optimised solvent casting methods are suggested. SPINMATE’s Gen 4b SSB cells will create a new industry value chain in Europe towards their commercialisation. This new generation technology will ensure (i) enhanced energy densities, overcoming current LIB limitations, (ii) improved safety in both solutions and workers; (iii) increased sustainable mass production; and (iv) decreased carbon footprint and cost.