The public defense of Ioan-Robert Istrate’s doctoral thesis, developed at IMDEA Energía’s Systems Analysis Unit and directed by Javier Dufour and José Luis Gálvez, will take place on September 5th at 11:30 am.
It will be publicly defended in the Departmental Building II of the Rey Juan Carlos University (Móstoles campus). Those interested in following the presentation online should connect to the following link.
Once again this year, IMDEA Energía is participating in the European Researchers’ Night, with a series of activities aimed at families and children between 5 and 10 years old, which will take place on September 30 from 18:00 hours.
After having carried out the workshops in online format in the last two years due to the pandemic by COVID, the meeting is resumed in person, with a set of activities aimed at families and children between 5 and 10 years under the title ‘Moving towards a circular economy’.
The aim is to raise awareness among children about the importance of the efficient use of resources to build a circular and sustainable world, to try to explain how energy and the different ways in which we use it can change the world and its habitability. To this end, participants will be guided on a journey through various interactive workshops, in a fun and educational event, in which almost fifty researchers from the center will participate.
The following are the four workshops planned:
1. Pedal-powered races
Push the pedals hard to win the race! Using dynamos, participants will pedal bicycles to generate the electrical energy needed to drive several racing cars around a circuit.
2. Sustainability, life cycle and CO2
Do you dare to ‘capture’ CO2 and enclose it in soap bubbles?
Take our interactive quiz and puzzle solving to learn about concepts such as life cycle and new product research as an action to improve the environment.
3. Magic seems, yeasts and pores are
Did you know that everyday materials that can be found in our kitchens can generate enough energy to inflate one or more balloons?
Participants will carry out a “mini-fermentation” by mixing fresh yeast with hot water and sugar.
In addition, several samples of yeast and microalgae will be available for viewing under a microscope.
4. Solar heat, chocolate and conductive materials
The concept of “concentration of sunlight” will be demonstrated by melting chocolate, using solar concentrators designed by researchers and manufactured with a 3D printer. We will have different designs to analyze how geometries and colors favor more or less the concentration and the absorption and reflection of light.
In addition, in this workshop participants will discover how conductive materials work, such as a paper clip or pencil graphite, and will understand what electrochemical conductivity is by using salt to operate various electrical circuits, such as cars, boats and/or windmills.
At the end, an ‘energizing snack’ will be served for all participants.
We look forward to seeing you!
Practical information: (From all the activities of the institution)
Title of the activity: ‘On the way to a circular economy’
Venue: Avda. Ramón de la Sagra, 3, Parque Tecnológico de Móstoles, 28935, Móstoles, Madrid
Time: from 18:00 to 20:00h
Reservation required: Yes
How to book: Through the registration form that will be enabled in September.
On September 29th, the IMDEA Energy Auditorium will host the workshop ‘Urban grids and microgrids’, a day in which the main challenges of the development of urban electricity grids and the decarbonization of railway networks, the opportunities that the integration of renewables brings to the energy markets and the development of technical solutions such as power electronics converters, storage systems and management algorithms will be discussed.
The workshop is aimed at grid operators, energy companies, technology companies in the renewable and power electronics sector, companies in the railway sector and researchers and students in the field of renewable integration.
The event is free of charge, but registration is required before September 26 by following this link.
The conference will start at 9 am and will be presented by Félix Marín, from IMDEA Energía. Francisco Javier Rodríguez, from the University of Alcalá (UAH), will then present the PROMINT-CM project.
Enrique García, from Iberdrola, will present the challenges in the development of urban electric grids and José Conrado, from ADIF, will do the same on the decarbonization of railway networks.
Enrique Doheijo, from Deloitte, will speak on the new opportunities brought by the integration of renewables into the energy markets.
A representative from Huawei, to be confirmed, will give a talk on power electronics converters for power grids, followed by Enrique Serrano from B5tec on the integration of batteries in power grids.
Milan Prodanovic, from IMDEA Energía, will dedicate his speech to the demonstration of real-time management algorithms. Prodanovic, together with Francisco Javier Rodriguez, from UAH, is expected to close the day.
Developing solar technologies for producing carbon-neutral aviation fuels has become a global energy challenge, but their readiness level has largely been limited to laboratory-scale studies. Here we report on the experimental demonstration of a fully-integrated thermochemical production chain from H2O and CO2 to kerosene using concentrated solar energy in a solar tower configuration. The co-splitting of H2O and CO2 was performed via a ceria-based thermochemical redox cycle to produce a tailored mixture of H2 and CO (syngas) with full selectivity, which was further processed to kerosene. The 50 kW solar reactor consisted of a cavity-receiver containing a reticulated porous structure directly exposed to a mean solar flux concentration of 2,500 suns. A solar-to-syngas energy conversion efficiency of 4.1% was achieved without applying heat recovery. This solar tower fuel plant was operated with a setup relevant to industrial implementation, setting a technological milestone towards the production of sustainable aviation fuels.
Developing solar technologies for producing carbon-neutral aviation fuels has become a global energy challenge, but their readiness level has largely been limited to laboratory-scale studies. Here we report on the experimental demonstration of a fully-integrated thermochemical production chain from H2O and CO2 to kerosene using concentrated solar energy in a solar tower configuration. The co-splitting of H2O and CO2 was performed via a ceria-based thermochemical redox cycle to produce a tailored mixture of H2 and CO (syngas) with full selectivity, which was further processed to kerosene. The 50 kW solar reactor consisted of a cavity-receiver containing a reticulated porous structure directly exposed to a mean solar flux concentration of 2,500 suns. A solar-to-syngas energy conversion efficiency of 4.1% was achieved without applying heat recovery. This solar tower fuel plant was operated with a setup relevant to industrial implementation, setting a technological milestone towards the production of sustainable aviation fuels.
Context, Scale, and Significance:
The aviation sector, which strongly relies on fossil-derived kerosene, is responsible for vast amounts of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. To avoid these emissions, solar energy can be leveraged to efficiently produce sustainable drop-in fuels (e.g. kerosene). Solar-made kerosene can replace fossil-derived kerosene and further make use of the existing global jet fuel infrastructures for its storage, distribution, and end-use in jet engines, which are particularly critical for the long-haul aviation sector.
For the first time, the thermochemical production of kerosene using solar energy, water, and CO2 is demonstrated in a fully-integrated solar tower fuel plant. This work, realized within the framework of the EU Horizon 2020 project SUN-to-LIQUID, advances the technological readiness level of solar fuels production by demonstrating the technical feasibility of the entire sun-to-liquid fuel process chain. We have evaluated the performance of the solar reactor − the cornerstone technology − based on five primary metrics (namely: reaction selectivity, syngas quality, fuel purity, energy efficiency, and material stability) and experimentally validate its stable operation and full integration in the solar tower fuel plant. This pioneer technological demonstration, performed at a pilot scale relevant to industrial implementation, represents a critical milestone on the path towards the production of sustainable aviation fuels.
The aviation sector, which strongly relies on fossil-derived kerosene, is responsible for vast amounts of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. To avoid these emissions, solar energy can be leveraged to efficiently produce sustainable drop-in fuels (e.g. kerosene). Solar-made kerosene can replace fossil-derived kerosene and further make use of the existing global jet fuel infrastructures for its storage, distribution, and end-use in jet engines, which are particularly critical for the long-haul aviation sector.
For the first time, the thermochemical production of kerosene using solar energy, water, and CO2 is demonstrated in a fully-integrated solar tower fuel plant. This work, realized within the framework of the EU Horizon 2020 project SUN-to-LIQUID, advances the technological readiness level of solar fuels production by demonstrating the technical feasibility of the entire sun-to-liquid fuel process chain. We have evaluated the performance of the solar reactor − the cornerstone technology − based on five primary metrics (namely: reaction selectivity, syngas quality, fuel purity, energy efficiency, and material stability) and experimentally validate its stable operation and full integration in the solar tower fuel plant. This pioneer technological demonstration, performed at a pilot scale relevant to industrial implementation, represents a critical milestone on the path towards the production of sustainable aviation fuels.
Alongside IMDEA Energy, the SUN-to-LIQUID consortium includes other research centres and companies involved in the thermochemical production of solar fuels, such as Bauhaus Luftfahrt e.V., ETH Zurich, DLR, Abengoa, ARTTIC and HyGear.
More information: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2022.06.012
Oleochemicals are chemical compounds derived from lipids that can be used as feedstock and platform molecules in a wide variety of industries. In the transportation sector, for example, biodiesel produced from lipids could replace diesel fuel.
In addition to fuels, fatty acids and their derivatives have a wide range of applications and can be used as precursors for agricultural chemicals such as pesticides, compounds for nutritional and pharmaceutical purposes and other products such as flavorings, detergents, lubricants, solvents or plasticizers, etc.
Green alternatives for the chemical industry
However, the use of vegetable oils is not sufficient to meet the market’s growing demand for oleochemicals. In this context, microbial oils are presented as “green” alternatives in order to expand the availability of oleaginous sources for the chemical industry.
IMDEA Energy’s Biotechnological Processes Unit is working on the production of microbial oils using oleaginous yeasts from organic residues. Current methods to measure these lipids in yeasts are tedious and have low reproducibility, which makes the comparison of results between laboratories very difficult.
In this context, researchers from the Biotechnological Processes Unit of the institute in collaboration with researchers from the Photoactivated Processes Unit have developed a rapid and accurate fluorimetric method for the quantification of yeast lipids. The results highlight the need to use fluorescence quantum yield to estimate intracellular lipids, which is currently not the common trend in this type of studies.
The results of this research have been recently published in the journal Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts, a world reference in the field of Bioproducts and Biofuels production.
More information: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-022-02135-9
IMDEA Energy has organized in Toledo the 8th International Workshop Layered Materials, from July 10 to 13.
The present workshop will focus on the smart design of layered materials including silicates and zeolites, phosphates/phosphonates, layered double hydroxides (LDH), clays, transition metal oxides and organic-inorganic hybrids/MOFs, among others.
The conference is the 8th edition of a series of International Workshops on Layered & Nanostructured Materials conducted biannually (2006-Alessandria, Italy; 2008-Vercelli, Italy; 2010-Bochum, Germany; 2012-Campinas, Brazil; 2014-Mulhouse, France; 2016-Kutna Hora, Czech Republic; 2018-Krakov, Poland). The present workshop will focus on the smart design of layered materials including silicates and zeolites, phosphates/phosphonates, layered double hydroxides (LDH), clays, transition metal oxides and organic-inorganic hybrids/MOFs, among others.
The scientific programme is divided into 4 topical sessions:
Each session is introduced by a plenary lecture on the state-of-the art, given by internationally renowned scientists:
More information on the event page
Organizer
Sponsors
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On July 4, 2022 IMDEA Energy hosted the meeting of the “Collaboration with Companies and Technology Transfer” team of the IMDEA Institutes network (Water, Food, Energy, Materials, Nanoscience, Networks and Software) together with a representative of the Madri+d Knowledge Foundation with the aim of sharing experiences in the creation of Technology Based Companies, EBTs or spin-offs and working with them with the ultimate goal of designing and agreeing on a protocol to create Spin-offs at IMDEA that will allow to foster the transfer of research results to the market through this type of companies.
It was agreed to prepare a draft programme document for the acceleration and launching of Technology Based Companies at IMDEAs to facilitate technology scouting and fundraising, as well as to study funding opportunities for the proposed programme from the Regional Plan, European programmes, etc. An invitation was also extended to the session on the relationship between scientists and investors to be held on 19 September at IMDEA Energía.
The meeting was preceded by a technical visit to some of IMDEA Energía’s research facilities such as the photoactivated processes laboratory, the SEIL electrical grids facility, the photobioreactor, thermochemical processes and EDTL electrochemical devices pilot plants, the solar simulator and the solar field. The researchers responsible for each of these experimental facilities showed them to the attendees, making reference to the projects currently being developed in them, as well as the achievements obtained in terms of research and
On Thursday 16 June, the City of Móstoles awards ceremony, organised by the town council, was held at the El Bosque Theatre-Auditorium.
David Serrano, Director, Manuel Romero, Deputy Director and Marta Jiménez, Manager of IMDEA Energía attended the awards ceremony, in which the Institute gave special recognition to business energy efficiency.
The company that won the prize of 2,000 euros and a trophy was the Freakafé cafeteria.
IMDEA Energy has participated once again in the Energy and Environment Fair Genera 2022, held at IFEMA (Madrid).
On 14 June, the conference ‘Solar heat generation for industrial processes’ was organised, with the participation of SolarConcentra, SEENSO Renoval, CENER Energía and the UNED University.
José González, head of the High Temperature Unit of IMDEA Energy was in charge of starting the event by introducing the speakers and mentioning the research work of the institute within the framework of the ACES 2030 project.
Sandra Cubero, from SolarConcentra, began by analysing the situation of concentrated solar power in the industry and the future prospects of the sector.
For his part, Antonio Rovira, professor at the UNED, explained to the attendees the European project Astep H2020, based on the supply of thermal energy above 150ºC, capable of supplying industrial facilities.
José Ignacio Ajona, from SEENSO Renoval, spoke about the company’s R&D strategy and the cost-efficiency balance in industrial processes, and finally, Marcelino Sánchez, from CENER Energía, opened a debate with the participants to discuss reliability and market confidence in the process heat installations sector and customer relations.
On 16 June, it was the turn of the conference ‘Challenges of grid integration of renewable sources’, together with Francisco Javier Fernández-Peitado, from UFD Distribuidora, Naturgy Group, and Juan Alberto Marrero, from Norvento Energy.
Fernández-Peitado, Head of the System Analysis and Dimensioning Unit – UFD Distribuidora, analysed the company’s perspective on the integration of renewables into the electricity distribution grid, while Marrero, Head of the Power Electronics Business Unit at Norvento, detailed the difficulties of managing electricity grids in rural areas.
Finally, Milan Prodanovic, Head of the Power Systems Unit at IMDEA Energía, presented the institute’s research work on technology and impact on the quality of electricity supply within the framework of the DRES 2 Market project.
Institute IMDEA Energía will be present next 14th and 16th of June at the International Energy and Environment Trade Fair GENERA in the pavilion FORO GENERA SOLAR 10B41.
14th June – Conference: “Solar heat generation for industrial processes”
On Tuesday 14th June the conference “Solar heat generation for industrial processes” will take place from 16:30 to 18:00.
Summary
The European Green Pact sets the objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. To this end, the European Union has proposed that at least 40% of energy should come from renewable sources by 2030, in accordance with the Climate Target Plan. On 18 May, the European Commission published the European solar energy strategy. This is an ambitious initiative aimed at reducing our dependence on fossil fuels in all economic sectors, from the residential sector to industrial processes.
Solar thermal energy is of renewed interest in industry, where heat accounts for 70% of industrial demand. Beyond administrative and financial constraints, industry is facing new opportunities that require more efficient technologies, using fewer resources (space, materials, water, etc.), with greater circularity in the use of raw materials and more sustainable in their life cycle (including their manufacture). New opportunities also arise in the use of solar thermal technologies, such as hybridisation with solar electricity and heat pumps and in the production of heat and renewable hydrogen, both aimed at their use in industrial processes.
The conference will discuss R&D support to respond to this challenge and bring together several speakers working in this field from both the business and research centre perspectives. The session will provide an overview of the R&D associated with solar heat in industrial processes and will end with a round table open to the participation of the attendees.
Speakers
Sandra Cubero
SolarConcentra, ProtermoSolar
José Ignacio Ajona
SEENSO Renoval y ASIT
José González
IMDEA Energía e ISES
Marcelino Sánchez
CENER y EERA
Antonio Rovira
UNED, ASTEP
16th June- Conference “Challenges of grid integration of renewable sources”
On Thursday 16 June, the conference “Challenges of grid integration of renewable sources” will take place from 10:30 to 11:45 am.
Summary
This conference will discuss the main challenges in the planning and operation of electricity grids arising from the planned massive deployment of renewable sources. Speakers working in this field will come together to introduce and explain the challenges from three different points of view: from a grid operator, from a technology company and from a research centre. The aim of the round table is to expose and highlight the technical solutions and the regulatory framework necessary for this process of transformation of electricity grids.
Speakers
Francisco Javier Fernández-Peiteado Fernández
Head of the System Analysis and Dimensioning Unit – UFD Distribuidora, Grupo Naturgy
Juan Alberto Marrero Sosa
Responsible for the Power Electronics Business Unit – Norvento
Milan Prodanovic
Head of the Electrical Systems Unit – IMDEA Energía
