The actual scenarios on world energy demand open a series of questions related to the more affordable energy generation systems, the more reliable technologies, the better regulatory framework between micro and macro multi generation of energy, both under a social, an economical and an environmental point of view.

FBK-REET unit is applying on a series of pilot projects on the specific sector of distributed multi-generation of electrical, thermal power for heating and cooling and biofuels. REET unit has developed a full ENERGY VISION for a fully integrated system. The final objective is the realization of a +energy building, able to produce thermal power for heating, cooling and hot water, electrical power and biofuels from domestic wastes, plus energy storage for thermal and electrical energy, in order to buffer the exchange of energy with the grid and allowing the energy auto consumption at local level in an off-grid system.

The FBK – REET energy vision is a proposed roadmap for the development of a full integration of technologies for the provision of energy in a domestic dwelling. The pilot projects and the different phases constitutes the different milestones. The integration of different renewable sources and system may take to the strengthen of different contribution from various point of view such as the energy cost, the exploitation on the market, but furthermore the realization of the final objective of a positive energy building able to interact in a community together with centralized energy production systems.

FBK – REET is indeed investigating into different technologies and directions. Within the same plan two new projects on direct methanol fuel cell and a m-CHP system based on gasification process combined with an Organic Rankine Cycle has been achieved, together with important international cooperation on a full sustainable building with MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). The development of a full retrofittable system on the side of energy cogeneration in buildings can provide an adaptive system able to generate electrical and thermal power, both for heating, cooling and generating hot sanitary water at local level. The systems themselves will be able to generate the required energy to match at best the auto consumption at high overall efficiencies. The Information and Communication Technologies can provide support on the side of retrofittable solutions and from the end user interfaces. Active projects are running on the implementation of such technologies in real buildings and appliances. It’s an evidence that the energy problem can’t be solved at building level, but indeed the proposed solution may provide an essential contribution in resizing the energy society of the next future.

Further information on active projects can be find here.

SOLAR THERMAL and THERMODYNAMIC ENERGY

Solar thermal and thermodynamic is one of the main sectors of activity of REET unit. The research is focused on new technologies for the efficient (co)generation of energy at distributed scale. REET is working specifically on the combination between CSP (Concentrated solar power) and m-CHP (micro - coupled heat and power) generation, in the European Funded project DiGesPo.

REET has developed patents on new proposed technologies for solar thermal innovative EST (Evacuated Solar Tubes),  particularly indicated for efficient cooling cycles in combination with microporous zeolite - like materials.

In solar thermodynamic, REET is developing specific technologies based on Stirling engines and ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) systems in the range of 2 - 5 kW (electrical power) and over 60% of overall efficeincy (electrical + thermal).

THERMAL ENERGY STORAGES and SOLAR COOLING

REET has a wide experience on thermal energy storages (zeolite - like materials) and on related adsorption / desorption cycles applied to heating and cooling.

REET has developed and realized a prototype of solar cooling machine, based on a patented technology, taylored for domestic applications. The prototype has been tested and is under further development.

REET has activated a cooperation with a Laboratory of the US Department of Energy (PNNL) to research new technologies using new materials for very high density energy storage systems.

m-CHP TECHNOLOGIES FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES and WASTE HEAT

REET is working in cooperation with international experts on Stirling engine technologies and thermodynamic engines for m-CHP generation from waste heats and combustion processes.

REET is realizing a new integrated technology, combining a pellet burner and a customized version of the mRT-1k engine, designed by Allan J. Organ. Such technology will be able to genereate 1 - 3 kW of electrical power and 18 - 19 kW thermal power for hot sanitary waater and domestic heating at an overall efficiency of about 90%.

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

REET unit has developed an internal research on new design for ground source exchangers and probes, using multiphysic modelling and coupling of fluid dynamic, heat transfer and structural mechanic models.

REET is applying on local projects on low enthalpy geothermal based on ground source heat pumps.

REET is cooperating with an International Institute for the development of a new m-CHP system from low temperature sources using innovative materials

BIOMASSES and BIOFUELS

REET has activities and projects on the optimal use of organic materials and solid fuels for energy production. This relates both to direct conversion processes (optimized combustion) and to conversion processes (gasification, fast pyrolisis, catalithic depolymerization at low temperatures) for the production of high grade biofuels.

An important resource under investigation is the agro - forestry residues for optimal energy conversion and environmental profile.

FUEL CELLS

REET unit is starting a series of new activites in the sector of FUEL CELLS, mainly from the system integration point of view. Specifically REET is applying on the Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC) and on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) applyed to Sodium Borohydride regenerative processes.