The scientific targets of the EUROSUNMED project are the development of new technologies in three energy field areas, namely photovoltaics (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP) and grid integration (GI), in strong collaboration with research institutes, universities and SMEs from Europe in the north side of the Mediterranean sea and from Morocco and Egypt from the south of the sea. The focus in PV will be on thin film (Si, CZTS) based solar cells and modules while the goal in CSP field is to design and test new heliostats as well as novel solutions for energy storage compatible with these technologies. The project aims at producing components that will be tested under specific conditions of MPC (Mediterranean Partners countries): hot climate, absence of water, etc.. Such investigations are complemented with studies on grid integration of energy sources from PV and CSP in Morocco and Egypt context. Additionally, the consortium envisages training PhD students and post-docs in these interdisciplinary fields (chemistry, physics, and materials science) in a close and fruitful collaboration between academic institutions and industry from EU and MPCs. The consortium is well placed around leading academic groups in materials science and engineering devices and equipments for the development of PV and CSP, and also in the promotion of the renewable energies in general. Moreover, technology transfer and research infrastructure development in the targeted areas will be provided. Disseminating the results of the projects will be done through the organization of summer schools, workshops and conferences towards large public from universities, engineering schools and stakeholders involved in the 3 selected energy area and beyond. Another outreach of the project will be the proposal for a roadmap on the technological aspects (research, industry, implementation) of the PV, CSP and grid area as well as on the best practice for the continuation of strong collaboration between the EU and MPCS partners and beyond for mutual interest.
Main Objectives:
- Developing new technologies in 3 energy field areas, namely photovoltaics, concentrated solar power and grid integration, at the EU research centres, EU or national agencies and SMSs in strong collaboration with universities, research organizations and SMSs/industries from Morocco and Egypt;
- Testing innovative components (PV cells/modules, heliostats…) under specific conditions of MPCs (irradiation, hot climate, dust…).
- Establishing a strong network between EU and MPCs through exchange of students, senior researchers/engineers who will be the vehicles for transferring knowledge and technologies.
- Disseminating the results of the projects through the organization of summer schools, workshops and conferences towards large public from universities, engineering schools and stakeholders involved in the 3 selected energy areas and beyond
The project is divided into eight WorkPackages (WPs):
The overall objectives of each workpackage are summarized below:
Workpackage (WP) and type of activity | Short description of WP | Overall objectives of WP |
WP1 Photovoltaics (RTD) | Synthesis and processing of thin film materials (a-Si, pc-Si, c-Si, CZTS) and solar cells/module fabrication | Development of thin film (Si, CZTS) based solar cells and modules with efficiencies approaching 12% |
WP2 Concentrated Solar Power (RTD) | Development of a new generation of Solar Tower power plants and an efficient thermal storage system
| Design of advanced/improved heliostats and identification of an optimized decoupled combined cycle scheme based on innovative integrated storage systems |
WP3 Grid Integration (RTD) | Analysis of grid integration issues relevant for MPCs with an emphasis on future large-scale grid integration of renewable energies | Conducting studies on grid integration of energy sources from PV and CSP in Morocco and Egypt , developing strategies for power balancing for Grids |
WP4 Training (OTHER) | Training of students and exchange of in field of renewable energies | Training PhD students and Post-Docs in PV, CSP and Grid in close collaboration between academic institutions and industry from EU and MPCs, developing joint research and obtaining joint results, products, patents and publications |
WP5 Testing and Demonstration (DEM) | Testing the different components developed in WP1 and WP2 | Testing the different prototypes developed for PV and CSP under the specific conditions of the MPC (hot climate, absence of water, etc.) |
WP6 Networking and Dissemination (OTHER) | Communicating and delivering information about the project results and achievements
| Disseminating the results of the project through the organization of summer schools, workshops and conferences towards large public, managing IPR and exploitation related issues |
WP7 Roadmap (OTHER) | Creating a long-standing cooperation between the involved partners both from EU and MPC | Developing a proposal for a roadmap (identifying R&D needs in the selected technology areas, quantifying related financial needs, recommending adequate instruments for funding and facilitating the identification of industrial projects), creating an Associated International Lab between EU/MPCs involved and launching an EU-Med Master Degree on renewable energies |
WP8 Management (MGT) | Organisation of the project management work | Organizing the daily management work, management meetings, supporting the Supervisory Board, implementing the consortium agreement and maintaining the integrity of the project |
Download the EUROSUNMED brochure here: http://www.eurosunmed.eu/sites/default/files/press/eurosunmed_brochure_rev_oct2014.pdf
Further details about the project are available on the CORDIS website at: http://cordis.europa.eu/projects/rcn/109592_en.html.