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BAXI INNOTECH
Founded in 1999, the Hamburg-based company BAXI INNOTECH GmbH is now part of the BDR Thermea Group, the third biggest manufacturer of heating equipment in Europe. BDR Thermea is active in a variety of different markets with well-known brands such as BRÖTJE Heating, BAXI, DeDietrich and Remeha. The strategy of the Group is focused on a strong commitment to combined heat and power (CHP). With the Schweinfurt-based company Senertec and the DACHS – their mini combined heat and power unit – as well as the Group’s commitment to the ECOGEN and EVITA heating units from Stirling, BDR Thermea is now market leader in the segment of environmentally friendly CHP. BAXI INNOTECH is the centre of excellence for fuel cell technology and consequently plays a very special role in the BDR Thermea Group as the company which develops fuel cell heating units as well as being the brain pool for innovative product development based on CHP technology. A major focus of their activity lies in the product development of the highly-efficient PEM fuel cell heating unit for single family homes. The company has also started with the evaluation and development of fuel cells based on the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Depending on customer requirements, the application of both technologies is anticipated in the future heating market.
Bosch Thermotechnik
Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH represents the Thermotechnology Division of the Bosch Group. Together with its subsidiaries, the company is a leading supplier of heating products and hot water solutions in Europe. In fiscal 2011, the company generated sales of 3.1 billion euros (68 percent outside Germany) and employed approx. 13,900 people. Bosch Thermotechnik has strong international and regional brands and manufactures a diversified product range in 23 plants in 13 European, American and Asian countries. Bosch Thermotechnik can draw on many decades of experience as a manufacturer of heating products and hot water solutions – with an uncompromising priority on quality, customer benefits and innovation. Bosch Thermotechnik has a broad portfolio of products for the residential, commercial and industrial segment. It comprises floor-standing and wall-mounted boilers, water heaters, solar systems, heat pumps, control systems, CHP plants and waste heat recovery systems. Bosch Thermotechnik is a future manufacturer of SOFCs and will demonstrate its units in this field trial. In addition to manufacturing, the company will focus on certification, support for installation, field test organisation, training, service and data monitoring.
British Gas
British Gas is a leading UK company in residential energy services, installation and maintenance. British Gas is the UK’s largest residential energy supplier and also the largest installer of heating systems through their Home Services division. British Gas installs over 100,000 heating systems per annum. It brings expertise to the consortium in the areas of customer, installation and service requirements. It also enables the consortium to monitor and influence the legislative agenda where this will have an impact on project success (e.g. Smart Meters, Feed-in-Tariff). British Gas will be installing, servicing and repairing the fuel cell products and managing the relationship with the trial customers.
COGEN Europe
COGEN Europe is the European association for the promotion of cogeneration. Its principal goal is to work towards the wider use of cogeneration in Europe for a sustainable energy future. Cogeneration or Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is the most efficient way to deliver heating, cooling and electricity. It is based on the simultaneous production of electricity and thermal energy, both of which are used. The central and most fundamental principle of cogeneration is that, in order to maximise the many benefits that arise from it, systems should be based according to the heat demand of the application. COGEN Europe is promoting the widespread development of cogeneration in Europe and world-wide. To achieve this goal, COGEN Europe is working at the EU level and with Member States to develop sustainable energy policies and remove unnecessary barriers to its implementation.
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a self-governing university that covers most engineering disciplines and educates engineers at the Bachelor, Master and PhD levels. The university has approximately 5000 employees, more than half are researchers, including 1300 Ph.D. students, and in addition 7600 bachelor and master students. The research at DTU Risø Campus has since the 1980’s been focused on sustainable energy. Department of Energy Conversion and Storage is situated mainly on DTU Risø Campus and is widely acknowledged as one of the world leaders within R&D and testing of solid oxide fuel cells. The department has approximately 240 employees of which more than half are mainly working on fuel cells and electrolysis. In 2010, the division launched a commercial test center, FCH Test Center, which supports industry with testing, training and consultancy within fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. DTU facilities include a pilot production line for fuel cells and a test laboratory of more than 500 m2. DTU will lead WP3 Analysis involving support arrangements, barriers analyses and the utility working group.
Dantherm Power
Dantherm Power is a joint venture between Ballard Power Systems Inc., Danfoss A/S and Dantherm A/S. The partners bring extensive expertise in fuel cells and other clean energy solutions that will accelerate development of fuel cell markets across Europe. Dantherm Power is a system integrator that develops clean energy backup power systems, utilizing Ballard Power Systems’ hydrogen fuel cell technology in telecommunications for telecom suppliers including Motorola and Ericsson. Dantherm Power also develops combined heat and power systems based on different fuel cell technologies: PEM and SOFC. Fuel cell stacks are supplied from different venders. Dantherm Power is an international enabler when it comes to the commercial application of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Our fuel cell based power solutions are found inside IT and telecom network base stations all over the world and combined heat and power systems are now introduced to early adapters. In 2005 Dantherm Power introduced its first backup power units driven by fuel cells, offering a commercially and environmentally viable alternative to diesel generators and battery backup units. In the ene.field project Dantherm Power will be system integrator for both PEM and SOFC based systems. For the PEM systems stacks will be supplied from Ballard Power Systems. For the SOFC systems integrated stack modules with reformer will be supplied as PowerCores from Topsoe Fuel Cell and as HoTbox from SOFC Power/HT Ceramix. System integration will be done by Dantherm Power. Dantherm Power will supply the units to utility companies and support the installation and service at the end users.
DBI – Gastechnologisches Institut
DBI – Gastechnologisches Institut GmbH Freiberg (DBI-GTI) is one of the leading German gas institutes. Since 1956 DBI has experience and outstanding knowledge in gas technologies, research and development, innovative engineering and gas strategic problems (policies, regulation, legislation, standards and certification). The main activity fields are: Oil / gas production and storage, gas grids and gas systems, gas utilization, gas chemistry and gas measurement, renewable energies with the main focus on biogas, independent test center for gas and energy engineering, center for education and further training of energy industry employees – the entire value chain from gas production via gas transportation to gas usage. For the ene.field project DBI brings in long term experience in fuel cell demonstration and scientific monitoring of CHP-installations of all kind and size covering the whole process from data acquisition with modern field data collection equipment to scientific analysis of the energy system and the facility around.
DCHT
DCHT institute unites five companies, two research institutes and a universitiy faculty of mechanical engineering in a bid to boost research, development and demonstration projects in the field of hydrogen and fuel cells in Slovenia. The main goal of the Centre is to pool industry and institute-based knowledge capacities. Other goals include providing conditions for the transfer of expertise, stimulating lasting cooperation between research and the business sector, influencing state development politics, organising expert meetings on hydrogen technologies and increasing competitiveness of Slovenian companies and institutes in the long-term.
Dolomiti Energia
The Gruppo Dolomiti Energia (Dolomite Energy Group) was created in 2009 with merge of Dolomiti Energia SpA and Tren-tino Servizi SpA. As a result, Dolomiti Energia Group became Italy’s sixth largest multi-utility provider. Dolomiti Energia Group, already the leading provider in the Tren-tino region for the distribution and sale of electrical and gas, is active in the development of renewable energy, integrated water services, district heating and waste management. The Dolomiti Energia group’s hydroelectric and thermo-electric power stations generate around 394 GWh a year. Gas distribution is ensured by 24 gas pumping and 215 final reduction plants. Dolomiti Energia operates a distribution network in the province of Trento and Bolzano, serving 74 municipalities. The total length of the network is 1,620 kilometres.
DONG Energy Power
DONG Energy A.S engages in procuring, producing, distributing, and trading in energy and related products in northern Europe. It supplies electricity and gas to approximately 1.2 million customers. The company has been involved in development work for fuel cells the last two decades. DONG Energy’s primary role in this project will be contribution to WP 3 and to test micro CHP units fed by green gases. Initially this will be biogas and biomethane. DONG Energy intends to support the demonstration of a minor number of these units on “Green Gas”. The “Green gas” might as an example be raw biogas, either partly or fully upgraded biogas.
Elcore
Elcore GmbH is a German corporation and a 100% subsidiary of elcomax GmbH. elcomax GmbH has a proprietary technology to manufacture extremely low-cost MEAs, the core component of a fuel cell, and Elcore GmbH has a unique system technology based on HTPEM fuel cell technology. Together the companies have the entire value chain – from basic chemicals to full systems – in hand. This is a unique situation in the fuel cell industry and a great advantage regarding cost, quality and time to market. The companies are solidly financed by renowned Silicon Valley venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufiled & Byers. The companies currently have 90 employees and plan to grow to about 120 employees by the end of 2013. Elcore’s CHP products use the innovative HTPEM technology, which is a very cost efficient technology and operates at an optimal temperature level of 160–180°C. HTPEM technology is very similar to the PAFC technology which already demonstrated lifetimes of >80.000 operating hours but has also significant improvements over the PAFC, especially that the electrolyte is chemically bound in a polymer membrane. HTPEM fuel cells tolerate significant impurities (>4% CO and >10ppm sulfur) which leads in comparison to NTPEM systems to significantly reduced system complexity. In comparison with SOFC technology the materials used in HTPEM are much simpler. Elcore’s HTPEM CHP systems integrate seamlessly into the existing power and heat infrastructure. Elcore’s systems can be combined with the majority of the existing heat systems and storage tanks and can be integrated with all typical power grids. As the system provides the base load for power and heat the system always works in combination with the “normal” power grid and with a heating system for peak heat demands. Based on the technology described above and the existing supply chain for all core components Elcore can demonstrate its ability to realize and supply low-cost and low-maintenance CHP units to volume and mass markets in Europe. Elcore will deploy 135 FC micro-CHP systems as part of ene.field.
Element Energy
Element Energy is one of the UK’s leading low carbon energy consultancies, providing a combination of strategic advice and techo-economic analysis. Element Energy’s work spans the built environment, transport and power generation sectors. Our understanding of the issues and challenges across these sectors means we bring unique insights to every project. Element Energy has been involved in the fuel cell sector for over ten years and is a partner in many UK and European hydrogen fuel cell (FC) activities. Element Energy has been central in initiating some of the largest European hydrogen FC projects, securing over €100m of funding in recent years.
Environment Park
Environment Park is the company managing the Turin technology park which aims to promote the development of applied energy and environmental-related research, facilitates innovation processes through a strong collaboration with industry and research institutions. Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are one of the strongest technology domains where Environment Parks is operating, together with energy efficiency in buildings and bioenergies. Since many years, Environment Park operates the FC-related laboratory HYSYLab, fully active in the following activities: FC and system Test, H2 Production and storage.
European Institute for Energy Research (EIFER)
EIFER (European Institute for Energy Research) is a research institute founded in 2001 by EDF and the KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), with the ambition (a) to be the center of excellence on “Sustainable Cities” and “Distributed energy” for EDF R&D, (b) to develop partnerships with research institutes in Germany and in Europe and (c) to intensify the link between the research networks and industry. EIFER is employing about 110 researchers, with a wide range of scientific competencies. In the ene.field project, EIFER’s role concerns its competences regarding the development of fuel cells and the evaluation of environmental impacts.
GWI – Gas- und Wärme-Institut Essen
The Gas- und Wärme-Institut Essen e.V. is a well-recognised German research institute with a reputation reaching far beyond its home region of North Rhine Westphalia. The GWI currently has 60 member companies, consisting of enterprises such as gas and energy companies, gas suppliers, manufacturers and trade associations. Well qualified and highly motivated employees, with the Institute’s powerful technology and excellent laboratory and infrastructure at their disposal, are on hand to address our customers diverse, challenging questions. The research and development work conducted at the GWI is concentrated into two departments. The first deals with appliance technology and fuel engineering, while the other focuses on industrial engineering and combustion technology. The accredited testing laboratory is one of the largest and most important in the gas industry in Germany and contact is maintained to large sections of the community of gas experts via the Academy.
GDF SUEZ
GDF SUEZ is active across the entire energy value chain, in electricity and natural gas, upstream to downstream: (i) Production, purchasing and marketing of natural gas, LNG and electricity, (ii) Transportation, distribution, management and development of major infrastructures for natural gas and electricity, (iii) Development and marketing of energy and environmental services. GDF SUEZ Research and Innovation Division, through its Research Center CRIGEN, leads R&D programs for the Group branches and Business Units. GDF SUEZ CRIGEN will install over 27 fuel cell micro-CHP units on the French market, with real customers. CRIGEN intends to collaborate with up to 3 to 4 fuel cell manufacturers within the ene.field programme. Based on this field test, GDF SUEZ will collaborate with others energy companies to study micro-CHP businesses, perform some safety and regulation studies to ease and secure the deployment of fuel cell micro-CHP systems on the French market.
HEXIS
Since the start of 2006 Hexis Ltd., located in Winterthur, Switzerland has worked as an independent company on the development of SOFC heating appliances for the environmentally sound and cost effective energy supply of single family and small multi-family homes. Hexis restarted its business with the background of more than 20 years’ experience (recent part of SULZER group) in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) ranging from materials to systems development as well as field trials. In 2007 Hexis started additionally its new business in Konstanz, Germany. In Autumn 2012 The Viessmann Group acquired a 50% share of Hexis Ltd. Hexis, as a micro-CHP manufacturer, intends to supply 100 units to ene.field and work with utilities, housing providers and municipalities to deliver these systems across 5 Member States. Hexis offers test partners a support package for the lifetime of the trials including maintenance, servicing and training as appropriate.
Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Electro-mobility in European Regions (HyER)
HyER, the European Association for Hydrogen and fuel cells and Electro-mobility in European Regions (formally HyRaMP), was established in collaboration with the EU Commission in 2008. HyER supports the deployment and uptake of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and electro-mobility in Europe to contribute positively to carbon dioxide emissions reduction, environment protection as well as economic growth and employment. HyER is representing over 35 regions and cities in Europe.
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
Imperial College London is a world class university focussed onto science, engineering and medicine. Energy research is led through the Energy Futures Lab, with around 600 full time researchers and faculty engaged in addressing the energy challenge. Two of the research networks within the Energy Futures Lab are of direct relevance to this proposal, fuel cells, and smart energy networks. Imperial will lead WP5 and be responsible for task 5.4 – analysis of the economic and environmental implications of micro-CHP deployment within Member States participating in the programme, with particular reference to its interaction and impact on electrical network systems.
POLITO, Politecnico di Torino
POLITO was founded 150 years ago and represents a leading public university, in Italy and in Europe, in technical-scientific teaching and research. There are currently 26000 students on more than 115 courses. Staff members are more than 900 (professors and researchers), plus about 1000 administrative and technical staff. Politecnico di Torino is strictly connected with the enterprise system, and has a long experience as partner in common research projects with other European and international centres. Almost 700 research project contracts in collaboration with industries and government-funded institutions provide an income of around €19 million each year. Research about Solid Oxide Fuel Cells has been carried out in the last 12 years at the Politecnico di Torino. A research group of around 20 people from different Departments share its skills, facilities and main scientific outcomes.
RBZ – RiesaerBrennstoffzellentechnik
RiesaerBrennstoffzellentechnik GmbH (RBZ) span out of a development group and was founded in April 2005. The main shareholder of RBZ is the inhouse engineering GmbH (IHE) located in Berlin. The development of the most important components takes place at this consortium. The fuel cell stack is an own development of IHE and the steam reformer to generate the necessary hydrogen from natural gas is developed by RBZ. RBZ is also responsible for the final manufacturing, the set up into operation and the service and maintenance in cooperation with IHE. We are engaged in product development and manufacturing processes for a residential micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP) unit and have built and developed relationships with key industry partners. Until now the company has grown to around 20 staff and we are the leading company in the niche market of 5 kW electrical power in Europe. A fleet of 39 fuel cell micro-CHP devices will be deployed in a range of homes with different energy demands and usage patterns, with the aims of demonstrating and optimising performance, and exploring the consumer acceptance of the technology. RBZ will be responsible for manufacturing, support and maintenance of the systems. We will deliver and install the inhouse5000 system with our partners. RBZ will train the staff required to install and maintain the systems. In cooperation with the partners RBZ will collect and analyse the monitoring data to optimize the system and balance of plant.
SOFCpower
SOFCpower is a dynamic and rapidly progressing Italian company that develops and manufactures high temperature electroceramic devices based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) technology. SOFCpower’s fuel cells can be used to provide electricity and sometimes heat in applications as diverse as housing (hot water, space heating and electricity), remote power where no electricity grid exists. The company was created in 2006 by carving-out the SOFC activities started in 2002 within the Eurocoating – Turbocoating Group, a privately-held group active in the fields of coatings and processes for gas turbines, machinery and biotechnology. In early 2007, SOFCpower acquired 100% of HTceramix SA in Yverdon (Switzerland), a spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). The vision of the company is to be a leading supplier of SOFC-based products. SOFCpower will install 46 high-efficiency m-CHP units in the North of Italy in collaboration with DolomitiEnergia (DE) and with other utilities in Europe . The sites will be selected carefully to represent the variety of potential end-users for cogeneration appliances, including applications in high-efficiency houses, small hotels or public buildings, private villas and buildings. SOFCpower will install floor-standing micro-CHP units with an innovative system architecture which provides both high electrical and thermal efficiency.
The Energy Saving Trust
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) is the UK’s leading impartial organisation helping people save energy and reduce carbon emissions. EST do this by providing expert insight and knowledge about energy saving and renewable energy technologies, supporting people to take action, helping local authorities, communities and businesses to save energy and providing quality assurance for goods, services and installers. We work with hundreds of organisations and groups in the public and private sectors, providing insight and support that enable them to deliver energy-saving initiatives to consumers across the UK. The Energy Saving Trust is an independent, non-profit making organisation that acts as a bridge between government, consumers, trade, businesses, local authorities and the energy market with four offices across the UK in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. The Energy Saving Trust has considerable experience of working on and coordinating a portfolio of EU-funded pan-European energy projects. In 2007, The Energy Saving Trust held the Presidency of EnR (the European Energy Network) – the network of 24 Member States’ national energy agencies – and currently chairs the EnR Buildings, Transport and Labelling and Ecodesign Working Groups. The Energy Saving Trust will lead on communications to householders involved in the trials including the preparation of a householder information pack and householder survey to understand attitudes and consumer behaviour with respect to FC micro-CHP.
Vaillant
Vaillant Group is an internationally operating heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technology concern based in Remscheid, Germany. As one of the world’s market and technology leaders, the company develops and produces tailor-made products, systems and services for domestic comfort. The product portfolio ranges from efficient heating appliances based on customary fuels to system solutions for using regenerative energy sources. Vaillant Group counts among the pioneers in developing fuel cell heating appliances. For more than 10 years, Vaillant Group has successfully conducted development work in this field. In 1998 already, Vaillant Group commenced the R&D activities. Vaillant’s role in the project will be a supplier of FCHA’S and will be responsible for service and maintenance efforts during the operation of the systems.
Viessman