F. Sergi

Development of a SOFC Hybrid System

With new technologies emerging and the existing ones evolving, the basis for having large centralised Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants is slowly diminishing. Beside the increasing energy demand and the need to reduce CO2 emissions, the use of smaller decentralised CHP plants is becoming more interesting. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC), thanks to their fuel flexibility (hydrogen, natural gas, propane, etc), are suitable to the above mentioned aims. From a storage point of view, in order to ensure increasing penetration of technologies related to renewable energies in decentralized generation, innovative devices that permit storage of energy must be considered. The most effective solution is the combination of renewable energies and secondary batteries. The paper explores the benefit of a hybrid system which combines the SOFC technology and a high temperature battery in a first step of the development process. A proper strategy is proposed using simulation and experimental results.

Electrochemical energy storage mitigating impact of electric vehicle on the electric grid: Two Italian case studies

In the framework of the Italian R&D project i-Next two pilots plants were realized aiming at demonstrate benefits coming from the adoption of electrochemical energy storages (Lithium ion batteries and hydrogen) integrated with renewable energy sources. In the present study the preliminary results coming from the demo sites operations are reported paying attention to the impacts to the grid.

Load match and grid interaction optimization of a net zero energy building through electricity storage: An Italian case-study

The study aims at applying of Load Match and Grid Interaction indexes to a Net Zero Energy Building in order to optimize the performances of its energy systems. The case study is a modular prefabricated house that uses solar energy (photovoltaic) and natural gas (Fuel Cell) as energy sources and equipped with an Energy Management System addressing the optimal energy use.

Electric vehicles for urban logistics improvement

The use of EVs for distribution of goods and public transportation together with the legislation that allows only to the logistic vehicles and public vehicles to access in the city center will have a large positive environmental effect on both noise level and pollution. With the progress of alternative powertrains that reduce local emissions to zero, urban buses can now throw in to decarbonising road transport. Without a doubt, a number of cities are already paying attention on cleaner public transport, while many bus operators are renewing their fleet or deploying low-emission vehicles. About goods trucks, they can drive directly into centrally placed distribution hubs where the last mile delivery to the shops is made with smaller EVs driving predefined routes. This approach can potentially increase the utilization of the last-mile delivery vehicles and thereby reduce their number causing lowering distribution costs. Within the i-NEXT project (Innovation for Green Energy and eXchange in Transportation) CNR TAE Institute is involved in infrastructure, logistic and vehicle development with the aim to reduce the impact of transportation on the cities and touristic areas. The proposed project, according to the European Union action plan on urban mobility, aims to support innovation in transport, by promoting a system based on sustainable mobility and RES (Renewable Energy Sources), and by acting simultaneously on improving logistics and distribution channels. The goal of the project is to create next practice solutions, offer promising opportunities for urban logistics operations, in order to become both more efficient and more environmentally sustainable.

Modeling of a Range Extender Power Train for a City Bus

The H-BUS is a joint project of National Research Council of Italy and two supplier companies to develop a range extender Fuel Cell/Battery Hybrid Electric city bus. Within the project, CNR TAE Institute is involved in determining the optimal level of hybridization assessing all boundary conditions (mission, performances, hydrogen consuption, range, etc...). The paper reports the characterization results of the hybrid system which allowed the identification of the power and energy consumption. These data were the starting points to define the size of Batteries and Fuel Cell (FC) system and to optimize the batteries State of Charge (SoC). PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) and ZEBRA ® (Zero Emission Battery Research Activities) technologies have been selected for the fuel cell system and batteries, respectively.