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6. RP Aquaterra - Understanding river-sediment-soil-groundwater interactions for support of management of waterbodies (river basin & catchment areas) (AQUATERRA)

Objective: Changes in climatic conditions, land use practices and soil and sediment pollution have large-scale adverse impacts on water quantity and quality. The current knowledge base in river basin management is not adequate to deal with these impacts. Austere is both integrating and developing knowledge to resolve this and disseminating it to stakeholders. In the water cycle, soil is a key element affecting groundwater recharge and the chemical composition of both subsurface and surface waters (the latter is additionally affected by sediments). The proper functioning of the river-sediment-soil-groundwater system is linked to key biogeochemical processes determining the filter, buffer and transformation capacity of soils and sediments. Austere aims at a better understanding of the system as a whole by identifying relevant processes, quantifying the associated parameters and developing numerical models of the groundwater-soil-sediment-river system to identify adverse trends in soil functioning, water quantity and quality. The modelling addresses all relevant scales starting from micro-scale water/solid interactions, the transport of dissolved species, pollutants as well as suspended matter in soil and groundwater systems at the catchments scale, and finally the regional scale, with case studies located in major river basins in Europe. With this integrated modelling system, Austere provides the basis for improved river basin management, enhanced soil and groundwater monitoring programs and the early identification and forecasting of impacts on water quantity and quality during this century. Austere is committed to the dissemination and exploitation of project results through structured workshops, dedicated short courses, and the active participation of consortium partners in national and international conferences. A peer review panel supervises the quality and direction of the project.

Sustainable energy management systems (SEMS)

Objective: The aim of this project is to turn 4 core communities (Germany, Austria, Luxemburg, Poland) with clearly defined system borders and 14 - 20.000 inhabitants each into CONCERTO communities. A mix of different EE and RES demonstrations (including refurbishment of old buildings, eco-buildings and polygeneration, all underpinned with complete business plans) will allow to avoid about 300 GWh/yr end energy from fossil sources, thus avoiding 94.000 tons CO2/yr, and saving 22.9 mio Euro/yr of disbursements for extra-communal electricity and heat deliveries. The application of the Decentralised Energy Management System (DEMS) will allow for local and inter-communal operation, monitoring and control of energy consumption, storage and generation units and grids, including DSM and LCP, thereby exploring a EE potential of at least 5Prozent. The target in RES coverage for 2010 is of resp. 39 to 62Prozent of the then remaining electricity and heat demand. EnerMAS, a low-threshold version of the European environmental management system.

Integrated small scale solar heating and cooling systems for a sustainable air-conditioning of buildings (SOLERA)

Objective: The project aims to develop highly integrated solar heating and cooling systems for small and medium capacity applications which are easily installed and economically and socially sustainable. The envisioned applications are residential houses, small office buildings and hotels. The goal is to use the excess solar heat in summer to power a thermally driven cooling process in order to provide cooling for air-conditioning. In the heating season the solar system is used to provide direct heating. The proposed project therefore aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility, reliability and cost effectiveness of these systems, specially conceived as integrated systems to be offered on the market as complete packages which will make better use of the available solar radiation as present systems.

Network of DER laboratories and pre-standardisation (DER-LAB)

Objective: The main objective of the proposed Network of Excellence (NoE) DER-Lab is to support the sustainable integration of renewable energy sources (RES) and distributed energy resources (DER) in the electricity supply by developing common requirements, quality criteria, as well as proposing test and certification procedures concerning connection, safety, operation and communication of DER-components and systems. DER-Lab intends to strengthen the EC domestic market and to protect European interests on the international standardisation level. A major objective is to establish a durable European DER-Lab Network that will be a world player in this field. The NoE will bring together a group of organisations for the development of certification procedures for DER- components for electricity grids. The NoE will act as a platform to exchange the current state of knowledge between the different European institutes and other groups. The scattered, but high quality research and test facilities will be combined with great benefit for the European research infrastructure DER-Lab will contribute by developing new concepts for control and supervision of electricity supply and distribution and will bundle at European level specific aspects concerning the integration of RES technologies. The absence of European and international standards for the quality and certification of components and systems for DER is a hindrance to the growth of the European market and for European penetration of the world market. It is within the aims of the proposed NoE to reduce these barriers and to work towards common certification procedures for DER components that will be accepted throughout Europe and the world. Obviously this work cannot be done on a national basis. The results of the project and afterwards the output of the network will be a significant contribution to the European standardisation activities and will contribute to the harmonisation of the different national standards.

POLYCITY - europäische Energieforschung für Kommunen

Die Projektgebiete liegen in Deutschland, Italien und Spanien. Deutschland: Scharnhauser Park: In Ostfildern am südlichen Rand von Stuttgart entsteht auf einem ehemaligen amerikanischen Militärgelände der Stadtteil Scharnhauser Park für rund 10.000 Bewohner und mit etwa 2.500 Arbeitsplätzen. Zu rund 80 Prozent soll der Energiebedarf aus erneuerbarer Energie gedeckt werden. Kern des Energiekonzeptes für den Stadtteil ist ein Biomasse-Blockheizkraftwerk mit 1 MW elektrischer und 6 MW thermischer Leistung. Die Anlage wird optimiert, eine Ist-Analyse ist bereits erstellt worden. Mit der im Sommer ungenutzten Wärmeenergie soll künftig Kälte für die Klimatisierung von Gewerbebauten erzeugt werden. Neben der ganzjährigen Nutzung erneuerbarer Energien für die Kraft-Wärme-Kältekopplung ist auch Energiespeicherung (zentral und dezentral) und ein kommunales Energiemanagementsystem auf der Basis modernster Informationstechnologien vorgesehen. Das zafh.net liefert Know-how der simulationsgestützten Regelung von Anlagen und setzt betriebsbegleitende Simulationen ein. In Echtzeit soll aus den klimatischen Randbedingungen der optimale Betriebszustand berechnet und mit den real gemessenen Werten verglichen werden. Als Basis ist ein Geoinformationssystem entwickelt worden, mit dem die Energiedaten der Gebäude erfasst und ausgewertet werden können. Die Gebäude unterliegen einem hohen Dämmstandard (25 Prozent unter den in der Wärmeschutzverordnung 1995 geforderten Werten). Bei den im Projekt neu dazukommenden Wohn- und Gewerbebauten wird der Transmissionswärmeverlust um weitere 20-30 Prozent gesenkt. Die ersten Wohnbauten wurden im Herbst 2005 vom Siedlungswerk Stuttgart erstellt. Mit Argon gefüllte Fenster mit erhöhter Rahmendämmungund Kunststoff-Abstandhaltern erreichen einen Gesamt-Wärmedurchgangskoeffizienten von 1,1 W m-2 K-1. In diesem ersten Bauabschnitt sind reine Abluftanlagen ohne Wärmerückgewinnung installiert worden, in späteren Bauabschnitten sollen Anlagen mit Wärmerückgewinnung einer Vergleichsanalyseunterzogen werden. Die Gebäudedichtigkeit wird mit Blower-Door-Tests experimentell untersucht. Der Energiestandard wird bei allen Bauten dokumentiert. Messgeräte für die Fernauslese und Auswertung (Smartbox) sind bereits installiert. ImGewerbegebiet wird im März 2006 ein erstes Demoprojekt zur innovativen Gebäudetechnologie (Heizung, Lüftung, Klima) mit etwa 4.000 m2 Nutzfläche erstellt. In der Ausführungsplanung enthalten sind: thermische Kühlung, Erdreichwärmetauscher, Betonkernaktivierung (zur Kühlung) ein Unterflurkonvektions-Heiz- und Kühlsystem, ein Tageslicht-Lenksystem. Nicht nur das Biomassekraftwerk liefert Strom, sondern auch gebäudeintegrierte PV-Anlagen. Ziel ist eine Leistung von insgesamt 70 kWp. Zudem wird die kinetische Energie des Wassers genutzt: Das aus den Hochbehältern ins Netz abfließende Trinkwasser treibt eine 80-kW-Entspannungsturbine an.

Optimized Strategies for Risk Assessment of Chemicals based on Intelligent Testing (OSIRIS)

The proposed regulation concerning the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH) requires demonstration of the safe manufacture of chemicals and their safe use throughout the supply chain. There is therefore a strong need to strengthen and advance human and environmental risk assessment knowledge and practices with regard to chemicals, in accord with the precautionary principle. The goal of the project OSIRIS is to develop integrated testing strategies (ITS) fit for REACH that enable to significantly increase the use of non-testing information for regulatory decision making, and thus minimise the need for animal testing. To this end, operational procedures will be developed, tested and disseminated that guide a transparent and scientifically sound evaluation of chemical substances in a risk-driven, context-specific and substance-tailored (RCS) manner. The envisaged decision theory framework includes alternative methods such as chemical and biological read-across, in vitro results, in vivo information on analogues, qualitative and quantitative structure-activity relationships, thresholds of toxicological concern and exposure-based waiving, and takes into account cost-benefit analyses as well as societal risk perception. It is based on the new REACH paradigm to move away from extensive standard testing to a more intelligent, substance-tailored approach. The work will be organised in five interlinked research pillars (chemical domain, biological domain, exposure, integration strategies and tools, case studies), with a particular focus on more complex, long-term and high-cost endpoints. Case studies will demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the new ITS methodologies, and provide guidance in concrete form. To ensure optimal uptake of the results obtained in this project, end-users in industry and regulatory authorities will be closely involved in monitoring and in providing specific technical contributions to this project.

Demonstration of a sustainable CHP concept using residues from olive oil production (OLIVEPOWER)

Objective: The project focuses on the demonstration of an innovative and sustainable CHP concept using residues from olive oil production (olive wastes) as fuel. A first plant based on the new concept will be realised in Greece. The main objective of the project is to demonstrate a closed cycle concept able to reduce landfill problems and emissions and to promote the use of renewable electricity production in Southern Europe. The project will be based on an approach integrating the whole chain (fuel logistics and preparation, energy production, by-product utilisation). An optimised fuel logistic concept will guarantee for a secured fuel supply over the whole year. The fuel will not only be dewatered and dried but also a marketable by-product will be produced. By this means a better fuel quality can be achieved and solid wastes as well as waste- water can be omitted. The development and design of the combustion unit focuses on a technology tailored to the special characteristics of the olive waste.

Das Energiewende-Szenario 2020 - Ausstieg aus der Atomenergie, Einstieg in Klimaschutz und nachhaltige Entwicklung, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies for Road Transport (HyTRAN)

Two innovative integrated Fuel Cell Systems for automotive application will be developed within specific Technological Platforms (TPs): TP1 POWERTRAIN: development of a system for traction power by an 80 kW direct hydrogen PEM fuel cell system implemented on a passenger car. TP2 APU: development of 5 kW Auxiliary Power Unit for both light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, including microstructured diesel oil steam reformer, clean-up reactors, an innovative reformate hydrogen stack and balance of plant components. These objectives will be reached via R&TD activities that will address the most critical technical bottlenecks which currently hamper wide market penetration of PEM fuel cell systems for road transport, while accounting some of the key market and policy drivers and barriers. Particularly, the following innovative components will be developed: A 80 kW direct hydrogen stack with strong weight and volume reduction, increased efficiency, durability and start-up time, with innovative MEAs embodying sealing layers (7-layers MEAs); A 5 kW reformate stack, including innovative electrocatalyst and MEA elements tolerant to very high CO concentrations and low-resisitivity bipolar plates; A highly efficient, clean and compact micro-structured diesel steam reformer and gas purification unit; Variable displacement compressors with reduced noise level; Innovative humidification/dehumidification apparatus; Heat exchanger and radiator customised for the different applications; Specific targets for both platforms will be achieved via a system approach leading to development and validation of the concepts (POWERTRAIN: in a passenger car; APU: dynamic test validation in bench) with high well-to-wheel efficiency (low fuel consumption), easy and optimised packaging and on-board integration.

European Assessment of the Transport Impacts on Climate Change and Ozone Depletion (ATTICA)

The ATTICA consortium offers to provide the European community with a coherent series of assessments of the impact of transport emissions on climate change and ozone depletion. Three assessments will cover the emissions of single transport sectors, viz. of aviation, shipping, and road and rail traffic. Another assessment deals with metrics that allow to describe, quantify, and compare in a fair way the effects of the transport emissions in the atmosphere. Finally, a synthesis of the foregoing assessments will be written that will provide the overview of the impacts of the emissions of all transport sectors on climate change and the ozone layer. For the first time, different modes of transport will be consistently assessed. The consistent assessment allows the interested citizen to estimate in principle their own contribution to environmental problems and to compare it to that of others. Apart from policy and decision makers, the synthesis assessment will help journalists, teachers, and others, to digest the results and to present them in public media, in schools and universities, ensuring wide spread of the results. The assessments and the synthesis report will inform the EU in developing its policy and will strengthen its position in international climate conventions and other international agreements. It will help finding emission reduction and mitigation strategies, and give advice for industry on design of future engines and vehicles, thereby strengthening the European position.

Solar-Hybrid Power and Cogeneration Plants (SOLHYCO)

Dispatchable renewable power generation is usually associated with expensive storages or additional back-up systems. Solar-hybrid systems combine solar energy and fossil fuel and thus provide power reliable and, if bio-fuels are used, also 100Prozent sustainable at zero net emissions. Systems based on gas turbines are suited for cogeneration or Combined Cycles, making them very efficient and cost effective. Main objective of SOLHYCO is to develop a highly efficient solar-hybrid microturbine (SHM) system for power and heat generation with dual solar power and fuel input. The project includes: 1. development of a prototype SHM unit based on a commercial microturbine: new combustion system for dual operation on solar power and fuel, new control system, adapted emergency modes, mechanical interfaces with solar receiver; 2. development of a tube receiver with innovative 'profiled multi-layer (PML) tube' for outlet temperatures above 800 C at reduced receiver cost: technology development for PML tubes, evaluation of thermohydraulic properties, receiver layout and manufacturing; 3. development of a new combustion system for bio-fuel for 100 percent renewable operation: component design and adaptation to more corrosive bio-fuel, integration into test system; 4. test and evaluation of the bio-fuel combustion system and the SHM prototype unit with new PML tube receiver at a solar tower test facility in Spain; 5. conceptual layout of solar-hybrid systems: extension of layout tools to cogeneration options; evaluation of SHM cogeneration configurations (heat, cooling); definition of a SHM demonstration system; 6. market assessment for solar-hybrid cogeneration systems: determination of initial niche applications; characterization of available biofuels; 7. Dissemination activities, with a special focus on the Mediteranean, Brazil and Mexico. The consortium consists of 12 partners and includes industrial members that will be future suppliers of components and systems. At the project end industry will be ready for a first cogeneration demonstration plant.

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