TALENT
Innovative and cost-effective batteries to increase the energy grid flexibility
| Business | Period | Project Coordinator | Funding Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | October 2019 - September 2022 |
FUNDACION CARTIF | H2020-EU.3.3.4. |
Challenge
Nowadays, the growing integration of renewable energy sources in the electric sector has required to increase the grid flexibility, guarantee its stability and make energy affordable for all citizens.
The integration of electric storage batteries along the different stage of the power supply chain is crucial to achieve this goal, but there are still some challenges to overcome:
- Battery related technology still needs to be improved and there is the need for specific software which properly address the data exchange as well as provide operation commands responding to power quality, energy price and environment criteria, among others.
- Costs need to be reduced through the development of competitive products that boost the energy transition
- Some regulatory aspects like the ownership and access to the market are still pending to be solved
TALENT has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 864459 to promote a wide and cost-effective integration of batteries in the grid.
In particular, TALENT will lead to an increase of the flexibility in the energy system by developing 4 innovative technologies:
- scalable and modular power electronics topologies,
- power electronics devices,
- high-voltage batteries
- interoperable software as a service for energy resources management.
In the case of power electronics, cost reduction will be mainly achieved by means of new materials, designs and architectures, while in the case of the software cost reduction will be achieved by offering it as interoperable software as a service (iSaaS). TALENT is going to test the solutions in relevant environments and to estimate the cost reduction for the end-users.
Approach
In the framework of TALENT, RINA is mainly involved in the cost assessment of the project innovation, which means evaluating the impact on the grid both from the technical and economical point of view.
Moreover, we are in charge of the environmental assessment of the new technological developments: innovative power electronics and battery value chain will be investigated to evaluate a preliminary full life cycle environmental impact of the technologies with a specific reference to end of life management and use or spare parts in power electronics, preferring not to use rare materials if possible.
We are also responsible for the definition of the exploitation strategy and of the roadmap and business models, which implies proposing a roadmap and strategy to develop the market including technical improvements, cost reduction, business models, normative gaps and standardization issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, TALENT will demonstrate an advanced, cost-effective concept for integration of batteries in the grid at 3 different scales (multi-home, district, utility) leading to an increase of flexibility in the energy system and making power electronics for battery systems, more reliable, cost-efficient and prone to higher market penetration.
Moreover, the reduction of costs in advanced, innovative power electronics and control technologies for battery systems proposed by TALENT, will allow EU industry to grow and be competitive with USA and Asia-Pacific markets.
