Six new projects launched in the framework of the Energy transition fund
Six projects submitted by EnergyVille for the Energy Transition Fund were recently approved by the Federal Council of Ministers. This is an important starting point for new and innovative research within a wide range of energy topics. The six approved projects on which EnergyVille’s research partners KU Leuven, VITO, imec and UHasselt will work are T-REX, MarineSPOTS, DISCRETE, BE-HyFE, ALEXANDER and TRILATE. The duration of these projects varies between 2 and 5 years.
In July 2021, six new energy transition projects were launched within EnergyVille. The purpose of the Energy Transition Fund is to encourage and support research, development and innovation in the field of energy within the federal energy competences. EnergyVille is involved as project leader or partner in six projects with a total budget of EUR 8.7 million for its research.
The projects:
T-REX: the transition to more renewable energy in power-to-X applications
- T-REX focuses on Power-to-X, the use of electricity to produce other fuels and raw materials. The project focuses on the conversion of CO2 into renewable materials via electrified routes. By making direct use of solar energy or connecting to a green grid, this project aims to increase the share of renewable energy in Belgium as much as possible. The detailed analysis of the catalysts, their stability and efficiency is central to the project and is supported by reaction modelling and techno-economic and life cycle analysis.
- Partners: EnergyVille (VITO, imec, UHasselt), UAntwerpen, UMons
- Duration: 5 years
MarineSPOTS: Study on potential and technology for solar energy at sea
- MarineSPOTS provides a fundamental scientific basis for the roll-out of solar energy installations in the North Sea and their potential for energy generation. This is done by modelling specific conditions such as waves and storms and conducting research into adapted solar panels, floating structures and suitable electrical systems such as power electronic converters. Attention is also paid to reliability and the impact on marine ecology.
- Partners: EnergyVille (KU Leuven, imec, UHasselt) Koninklijk Belgisch Instituut voor Natuurwetenschappen (KBIN)
- Duration: 2 years
DISCRETE: data-driven optimisation models for safe real-time operation of renewable-dominated energy systems
- The operation of the transmission grid is becoming increasingly complex due to the growing share of renewable energy in the grid on the one hand, and the integration of the European electricity market on the other. DISCRETE performs fundamental research into data-driven optimisation models and models the uncertainty in the transmission grid in order to maximise the OPEX and CO2 emissions related to transmission system operations. Innovative concepts for future decision support software tools for transmission grid operators are developed, which is an important step towards reliable and low-carbon operation of the electricity grid.
- Partners: EnergyVille (KU Leuven), UMons
- Duration: 4,5 years
BE-HyFE: Belgian expertise in hydrogen
- BE-HyFE aims to create a Belgian hotspot of academic hydrogen expertise by establishing a core group of 16 broadly trained researchers who, together with their wider academic network, can support the Belgian industry in finding technological & societal solutions to key hydrogen challenges.
- Partners: UGgent, UCLouvain, ULBruxelles, Uantwerpen, UMons, EnergyVille (KU Leuven, VITO, imec, UHasselt), UlLiège, VUB, IVon Karman Institute, WaterstofNet, TWEED
- Duration: 4,5 years
ALEXANDER: accelerating low-voltage flexibility in a grid-safe manner
- The transition to a system with a high share of renewable energy sources requires fundamental innovations to ensure security of supply and system stability. To maximise and accelerate flexibility in the low-voltage grid, ALEXANDER wants to develop solutions to overcome technical, operational, social and market barriers. An in-depth study of consumer behaviour will form the basis for new concepts for adequacy modelling and flexibility provision.
- Partners: EnergyVille (KU Leuven, VITO, UHasselt), UAntwerpen, UMons , ULBruxelles
- Duration: 4 years
TRILATE: TRILateral research on optimal investments in adequate cross-border energy infrastructure
- In the Belgian, Dutch and German industrial regions, the energy demand is very high while the spatial potential for the deployment of renewable energy technologies is limited. Therefore, an analysis of the required energy transport infrastructure for industrial clusters is crucial. TRILATE focuses on the development of scientific models at the level of processes, industrial plants and energy systems, linked to an integrated energy infrastructure analysis.
- Partners: EnergyVille (KULeuven, VITO) Fluxys Belgium, Elia Transmission Belgium, UGent, ULiège
- Duration: 4 years & 4 months
Major step towards a low-carbon energy future in Belgium
Through these six projects, EnergyVille continues to focus on innovative research within the energy transition. Gerrit Jan Schaeffer, General Manager of EnergyVille: “We are pleased that we have again received the confidence of the federal government. These six new projects represent significant added value for the energy transition and aim to provide answers to specific problems. By putting this into practice, we make a difference and we take an important step towards a low-carbon energy future in Belgium”.