Projects

public funded projects

H2020 DESOLINATION - DEmonstration of concentrated SOLar power coupled wIth advaNced desAlinaTion system in the gulf regION

"The main objective of DESOLINATION is to decarbonise the desalination process in arid regions (here in the Gulf) by demonstrating in a real environment the efficient coupling of a concentrated solar power plant to a forward osmosis desalination system. Based on disruptive innovations in the heat recovery, in the thermal cycle, and in the water separation methods, the DESOLINATION system will show high wasted-heat-to-freshwater conversion efficiency, and high CSP power efficiency."

Partners: Politecnico di Milano, Protarget AG, Nuovo Pignone SRL, Cobra instalaciones y servicios S.A, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Forderung Der Angewandten Forschung EV, Aalborg CSP AS, Lunds Universitet, Cranfield University, Fundacion Tekniker, Lappeenrannan-Lahden Teknillen Yliopisto Lut, Università degli studi di Brescia, Techinische Universiteit Eindhoven, Temisth SAS, Univerza V Mariboru, Lulela Tekniska Universitet, Euroquality SARL, King Saud University, University of Bahrain, Oman Educational Services LLC

MACBETH - Membranes And Catalysts Beyond Economic and Technological Hurdles

"The MACBETH consortium provides a breakthrough technology of highly efficient catalytic membrane reactor (CMR) for advanced downstream processing by combining catalytic synthesis with the corresponding separation units in a single reactor. With this disruptive technology a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and an increase in resource and energy efficiency of large volume industrial processes can be achieved. The revolutionary new reactor design will guarantee substantially smaller and safer production plants and thus reduce operational and investment costs."

Partners: Evonik Operations GmbH, Technical University of Denmark, LiqTech International, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Centro Nacional de Experimentación de Tecnologías de Hidrogeno y Pilas de Combustible Consorcio, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon GmbH, Eindhoven University of Technology, Fundación TECNALIA Research and Innovation, ICI CALDAIE S.p.A., Politecnico di Milano, Rauschert Kloster Veilsdorf GmbH, Spanish National Research Council, Engie, KT – Kinetics Technology S.p.A, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Ciaotech s.r.l. a socio unico (PNO Innovation BV), ENZYMICALS AG, ChiralVision BV, VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK N.V., Johnson Matthey PLC, SOLUTEX GC SL, MICROINNOVA ENGINEERING GMBH, Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri Anonim Sirketi

TESLA - Transformation of plastic waste in Electrocatalysts, Supported by exhausted gases recovery Layout

The work is based on valorization of waste plastic into electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction. Waste plastics will be characterized and the synthesis process will be selected to optimize the carbon characteristics. The catalysts obtained are fully studied in terms of surface chemistry and morphology through various microscopic and spectroscopic tools. TESLA is funded by "Foundation CARIPLO".

Partners: Università degli Studi Milano Bicocca, Università degli Studi di Brescia, CNR-ICCOM

HICLPOS - High Temperature Closed Power System

The aim of the HICLOPS project is the development of innovative pure fluids and mixtures for an efficient power conversion from medium-high temperature level heat sources (350–550°C). The innovative fluids will be identified through detailed modelling of the closed power cycle validated through an experimental campaign. HICPLOPS is funded by Italian government act "PRIN 2022".

Partners: Università degli Studi di Brescia and Politecnico di Milano

COFFEE - Characterization of fluids for energy transition

The COFFEE project aims at identifying and experimentally characterizing innovative working fluids, either pure or in mixtures, suitable for both direct and reverse cycles. In particular, the goal is to identify two fluids or fluid mixtures suitable for working in a power cycle powered by a renewable source at high thermal levels, exceeding 550°C. Additionally, two fluids or fluid mixtures for high-temperature heat pumps operating above 150°C will be identified. COFFEE Project is funded by Italian government act "Network 4 Energy Sustainable Transition (NEST), PE0000021 – Spoke 5 “Energy Conversion".

Partners: Università degli Studi di Brescia 

Doctoral networks

TOPCSP - Towards Competitive, Reliable, Safe and Sustainable Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Plants 

"TOPCSP focuses on concentrating Solar Power (CSP) with Thermal Energy Storage (TES), which is a key technology to support the transition to a competitive and sustainable energy system. TOPCSP project will include research activities aimed at reducing the cost of current CSP plants, increasing the temperature of the heat transfer media of the next generation of CSP plants, developing more efficient power blocks, optimising the plant design, and automatizing the design of key components, such as the receivers, using Artificial Intelligence approaches."

Partners: Virtualmech, John Cockerill, DLR, Università di Brescia, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Universidad de Sevilla, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, The Cyprus Institute, Politecnico di Milano, Rwthaachen University, Brembana & Rolle SpA, Acerinox Europa, CIEMAT-SPA, EM, Synhelion, ENEA, Solarlite, UPDV

PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate change (PhD SDC)

"The PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate Change aims to direct research towards new sustainable development models, in order to minimize the impact of humankind on the planet and to reduce inequalities. The common goal is to build a research community capable of promoting innovative solutions, which are fundamental to solve the most complex problems of our society."

PhD SDC is a network of public and private research centers fully interconnected and coordinated by IUSS PAVIA, in Italy.


COMPLETED projects

H2020 SCARABEUS - Supercritical CARbon dioxide/Alternative fluids Blends for Efficiency Upgrade of Solar power plants 

"The aim of the SCARABEUS project is to demonstrate that the application of supercritical CO2 blends to CSP plants has the potential to reduce CAPEX by 30% and OPEX by 35% with respect to state-of-the-art steam cycles, thus exceeding the reduction achievable with standard supercritical CO2 technology. This translates into a LCoE lower than 96 €/MWh, which is 30% lower than currently possible. The project will demonstrate the innovative fluid and newly developed heat exchangers at a relevant scale (300 kWth) for 300 h in a CSP-like operating environment."

Partners: Politecnico di Milano, TU-WIEN, Universidad de Sevilla, City University of London, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Kelvion, Abengoa, Quantis 

BIOMASSHUB - Biometano per una società sostenibile

BIOMASS HUB is one of the winners of "Call Hub Ricerca e Innovazione" by Regione Lombardia. The project aim to built a bio refinery for the production of bio fuels, bio methane, energy, fertilizers and bio materials. The project represents a true example of integrated technological HUB where industries and public research centers work in synergy to development  bio plant for the waste treatment and green energy.

Partners: Agromatrici S.r.l., Università degli Studi di Brescia, CREA agraria, ACQUA E SOLE S.r.l.,  AMGA Legnano S.p.A., NANO SENSOR SYSTEMS SRL, AB Impianti S.r.l., Consorzio Italbiotec