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The Energy Technology Group (ERGO) is a research team at the department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (DIMI) of the University of Brescia. Currently,t here are three members of the faculty: Prof. Costante Mario Invernizzi, Prof. Paolo Giulio Iora and Prof. Gioele Di Marcoberardino with a background in fluid machinery, energy systems and power generation plus one technician working in our fluid test laboratory. Moreover, the group is composed of five PhD candidates covering different research topics such as innovative closed power cycle, energy recovery from industrial process and production and application of hydrogen and e-fuels.
ERGO’s main research activities are focusing on the study, analysis, and design of components involved in all the aspects of energy conversion exploiting fossil and renewable sources. The maina ctivities of the group could be divided into four macro areas:
1. Traditional and innovative power cycle. We study thermal (operating in closed cycle) for a rational use of primary energy sources and heat (as fossil fuels, renewable energies, and industrial heat). In general,unconventional energy sources with a focus on heat recovery with production of electricity from sources heat at low/medium temperature.
2. Innovative working fluid for closed power cycle and heat pumps. We characterize innovative pure and mixture working fluids (recently, with particular attention on CO2 mixture) for power conversion systems, both with appropriate thermodynamic models and with experimental measurements. The first approach consists generally in the development of adequate Eos models,then we usually experimentally investigate the thermo-chemical stability of the fluids and their material compatibility. we also carry out two-phase equilibrium measurements for both pure fluids and fluid mixtures.
3. Green hydrogen. We carried out techno-economic analysis and system optimization for the production and utilisation of hydrogen operating with different technologies: i) membrane reactors fuelled by biofuels (biogas or bioethanol)or natural gas and ii) Low or high temperature electrolysers. Additionally, we research electric and thermal power production by low or high temperature fuelcells (i.e. PEM or SOFC) or hybrid systems.
4. Sustainable mobility. We develop models for cycle simulations driving for traditionaland heavy commercial vehicles equipped with low environmental impact engines(electric, hybrid and fuel cell propulsion) and in the "well towheel" analysis of power trains consisting of hybrid systems with hydrogenfuel cell. Moreover, techno-economic analysis of production and applications ofgreen fuels for energy transition are carried out. We consider biofuels such asbiogas from animal manure and OFMSW and its upgrading to biomethane and electrofuels or synthetic fuels from carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
The main experimental activity of the group is the determination of the thermal stability (heat resistance or the capacity to preserve all the main physical properties despite the heating) of the working fluid operating at high temperature. The thermal degradation of the working fluid occurs when high temperature breaks the molecular bonds, forming new compounds which can tamper the original fluid and system performance. We test innovative working fluids and mixtures for power generation and conditioning systems to assess their thermal stability limits.The method essentially consist (for the pure fluids) in the evaluation of the deviations in the saturation pressure curves that may occur after subjecting the fluid to thermal stress tests at increasing temperature.
Appropriate procedures have also been developed to investigate the thermochemical stability of the mixtures. In collaboration with the Metallurgy Group of the University of Brescia , we can even furthermore test the material compatibility between the fluids and the metals used for the manufacturing of the turbomachinery and heat exchangers.
The thermal stability limits the maximum operative temperature of the power cycle and therefore, according to the Carnot efficiency equation, its performance. On the other hand the fluid can affects the integrity of the manufacturing material leading to an earl aging with issues regarding both performance and safety.Moreover the metal can act as a catalysis for the fluid degradation reaction.
In the pursuit of a sustainable energy transition, it is crucial not only to invest in the installation of renewable energy sources and hydrogen utilization but also to optimize and improve the efficiency of existing energy generation systems.Through a multidisciplinary approach the engineering design of the energyc onversion system, we go beyond mere thermodynamic analysis to explore design aspects as well. Recognizing that enhancing efficiency requires a comprehensive andintegrated understanding of the energy process. A more sustainable future cannot ignore a wider and more widespread (and equitable) availability of energy, with the most efficient conversion processes possible.
Currently we are involving in three European projects (Horizon 2020) and three national one. The SCARABUES and DESOLINATION Project are project related to CSP application and our task concerns the identification of CO2 blends,thermal stability, material compatibility and cycle performance. Thanks to the works performed in the DESOLINATION we are in the process of patent the utilization of an innovative working fluid. On contrary in the MACBETH project, the group is conducting simulation for techno-economics analysis of hydrogen production with membrane reactor and biogas.
Regarding national founded projects, ERGO is a member of the TESLA project (CARIPLO Foundation) that regards the valorisation of waste plastic through pyrolysis: our task is to design the heat recovery section for cogeneration purposes. Meanwhile two Italian projects directly involved our laboratory. The aims of HICLOPS and COFFEE is the development of innovative pure fluids and mixtures for energy conversion (i.e power cycle and heat pump), the improvement of the thermal stability test and the design of new tests for the better understanding of fluids behaviour.
Additionally, our team is working with other research groups from universities with a long collaboration with the GECOS Group of Polytechnic of Milano, while we are in contact with industries from the territory of Brescia such as Turboden, AB Impianti and A2A – Life Company.
Lastly, besides joining the PhD SDC program with a scholarship from the XXXVIII cycle, we participate in the TOPCSP Doctoral network with a grant focused on supercritical CO2 cycles for the next generation of CSP plants.
In our works, we want to accomplish new breakthrough in the specific research sector while trying on the same time to achieve few of the Sustainable Development Goals proposed to the UN. As mentioned ERGO is working on energy conversion system not only related to electric production but also to chemical production (i.e.hydrogen and synthetic fuels) and that why the Goal 7 (Affordable and clean Energy) and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and communities) are the goals that perfectly suit our research area.
Website: https://ergo.unibs.it/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/energy-technology-group-unibs-078942241/