Back to Projects

IMPROVEMENT 01/02/2018

Integration of combined cooling, heating and power microgrids in zero-energy public buildings under high power quality and continuity of services requirements

DESCRIPTION:

IMPROVEMENT aims to solve the challenge of integrating renewable energy systems (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) in public buildings (EPs) in the SUDOE region, where due to their application area, the quality and continuity of supply have to be considered as fundamental aspects (Hospitals, Research Centers and Universities, Military Buildings, Transport Stations). These buildings have a high energy consumption in heating and cooling, but also in electrical appliances that are extremely sensitive to electrical power disturbances.
The project proposes the conversion of these EPs into Zero Energy Balance Buildings (nZEB) through the implementation of micro-networks for the combined generation of cold, heat and electricity with active control of the neutral and use of hybrid energy storage systems (ARM) .
The implementation of the project will bring added value to the public authorities managing the EPs, as well as the regulatory authorities and energy agencies (all represented in the consortium).
The approach is based on the development and demonstration of technologies that reduce and transform the energy consumption (CONS) of EPs into green, through joint experiences that generate parallel influence in political decision-making bodies.
The SUDOE IMPROVEMENT project (SOE3/P3/E0901) is co-financed by the Interreg SUDOE Program and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), it has a budget of 2.5 million euros (75% funded by the European Commission) and a duration of three years (until September 2022).

 


PARTNERS:

IMPROVEMENT joins partners from Portugal, Spain and France:

  • Centro Nacional del Hidrógeno (Spain)
  • Universidad de Castilla la Mancha (Spain)
  • FRANCE: École nationale supérieure de mécanique et d'aérotechnique (France)
  • Instituto Superior Técnico (Portugal)
  • Laboratorio Nacional de Energía y Geología (Portugal)
  • Secretaría General de Industria, Energía y Minas de la Junta de Andalucía (Spain)
  • Universidad de Córdoba (Spain)
  • Agencia Andaluza de la Energía (Spain)
  • Universidad de Perpignan Via Domitia (France)


Moreover, the following entities are associated partners to this project:

  • Green Power Technologies, S.L (Spain)
  • NEC RENOVABLES S.L. (Spain)
  • Área de Gestión Sanitaria Este de Málaga (Spain)
  • Irradia Ingeniería Solar (Spain)
  • Agence Régionale Énergie Climat Occitanie (France)
  • Agencia Regional de Energia e Ambiente do Algarve (Portugal)
  • Associação Plataforma Construção Sustentável (Portugal)
  • Comunidade Intermunicipal do Algarve (Portugal)

 


EXPECTED RESULTS:

IMPROVEMENT will allow to achieve the following results:

  • Improve the energy autonomy of existing public buildings through hybrid storage systems, even under extreme weather conditions
  • Increase the energy efficiency of public buildings with the integration of almost zero energy building techniques, and heating and cooling systems based on renewable energy with thermal storage
  • Development of fault-resistant micro-networks through the use of inverters with active neutral control to guarantee the quality of supply, in the presence of sensitive loads (high-tech equipment)
  • Demonstration in real (and replicable) public buildings
  • Develop regional strategies and implementation plans

In addition, as a result of the project, and with the collaboration of the associated companies, a business plan will be developed for the commercialization of the developed technology.