SPIN-OFF-RENEWBAT
The first of August 2021, a new project has just started at the ULiège Thermodynamics Laboratory (LaboThAp). RENEWBAT (Renewable Battery) will enable the development of an innovative sustainable solution for the storage of electricity.
T
he project is being funded by the Walloon region through a First Spin-off (FSO) funding. Thanks to this funding, Dr. Olivier Dumont will keep on working on this promising project which should finalize in 2023 with the launch of a Spin-off. To reach the goal of RENEWBAT, Olivier will receive the support of Pr. Vincent Lemort and the ULiège Knowledge Transfer Office (Interface ULiège) .
Context
Renewable electricity production requires large electrical storage device. Electrochemical batteries present a short lifetime, are costly and highly polluting. RENEWBAT proposes to develop an innovative system, more sustainable, which enable to maximize the use of renewable electricity and, at the same time, its cost .
Working principle
The concept of the Carnot battery is to store electrical energy in the form of heat. A heat pump converts the excess electricity produced by renewable sources into heat, which is stored in a thermal energy storage. When the demand of electricity is high, the stored thermal energy is converted back to electricity through a power cycle.
Innovation
Respect to the equipment available on the market the device being developed at LaboThAp, has three main specific aspects:
- The technology of Carnot battery is reversible. One reversible machine replaces the two independent equipment usually used (heat pump and Rankine cycle).
- Waste heat integration. The use of waste heat (from chillers, datacenter, industry for example) allows to reach high roundtrip efficiencies.
- Compact thermal energy storage. The use of phase change material (PCM) enables a smaller thermal storage volume (4 times respect to water).
Product
The Carnot battery presents the following specifications:
- Compactness > 10 kWh/m3
- Storage duration > 72h
- Roundtrip efficiency > 90%
- Purchase cost < 500€ / kWh
- Optimized ans scalable
- Lifetime > 25 years
History
