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The LIFE ZAESS project comes to an end and presents its final results

By admin05 October, 2017News, Progress

After 40 months of intense activity the LIFE ZAESS project has been successfully completed. The second video, “Progress and results of the project“, is now available on the ZAESS website. It includes the results of the technical-economic, environmental and regulatory studies realized for the technology of zinc-air flow batteries are presented. These activities and results have also been published on the web through the “Layman’s report” in a short and visual format.

The LIFE ZAESS project has focused on the development of innovative technology for energy storage, such as zinc-air flow batteries. This solution is aimed at the integration of renewable energies of an intermittent nature. The ZAESS project has been funded by the European LIFE program and developed by the consortium formed by CENER and TÉCNICAS REUNIDAS as coordinator. The project has had a budget of 1.2 M € for a duration of 40 months, ending in October 2017.

FINAL WORKSHOP OF LIFE ZAESS PROJECT IN PAMPLONA

By admin06 July, 2017News

One of the conclusions of the conference was that, to make the leap from demonstration to commercial projects, the storage sector must overcome the current regulatory and legal barriers as well as continue a path of cost reduction.

A group of experts related to the energy storage sector met in Pamplona last Wednesday June 14, where the final Workshop of the European project LIFE ZAESS was held. The organizers were the project partners: Técnicas Reunidas (Coordinator) and CENER (National Centre of Renewable Energy).

During the first part of the morning, as well as reflecting on the suitability of storage systems to integrate renewable energy sources, the main results of the project were presented. The speakers were: Manuel Pérez and Miguel Sierra from Técnicas Reunidas, Mónica Aguado, Gabriel García and Raquel Garde, from CENER. One of the main conclusions of the project LIFE ZAESS outlined was that zinc-air flow battery technology must improve technically and economically to be competitive.

In the second part of the morning, the projects and the practical experiences of some of the major players in the national electric sector in the area of energy storage were explained, as well as the ability of energy storage to provide services to the network such as voltage or frequency regulation. The speakers were: Luis Manuel Santos Moro (Head of R&D from EDP), Pablo Fontela Martínez (Project Manager R&D from ENDESA), Unai Búrdalo García (R&D Dept. from REE-Red Eléctrica de España) and Eugenio Guelbenzu (Director of Innovation and Technology from Acciona Energía).

The cases presented confirmed the validity of the storage as a solution to different needs demanded by the grid nowadays, especially in regions with high penetration of renewables and/or weak networks. One of the conclusions of the conference was that, to make the leap from demonstration projects to commercial projects, the storage sector must have an appropriate legal and regulatory framework, also continuing in a line of cost reduction. Before the break of noon an interesting debate was held, analysing the issues raised among the conference attendees and speakers.

To end the day, attendees moved to CENER facilities in Sangüesa (Navarra) to visit the Microgrid ATENEA, geared to an industrial application, as well as the activities of the Renewable Energy Grid Integration Department (IRE) in the field of microgrids.

LIFE ZAESS presented at MaBIC Congress 2017

By admin16 June, 2017News

Tecnicas Reunidas attended for the third year running the Metal-Air Battery International Congress (MaBIC) organized by Albufera Energy Storage in Huesca from the 4th to the 7th of June 2017. TR presented the results and conclusions of the LIFE ZAESS pilot plant operation.

TR explained the potential of zinc-air flow battery technology to increase renewable energy penetration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The results of other relevant projects in the field of zinc-air and lithium-air batteries were presented at the congress.

Further information: http://www.mabiccongress.com/
Presentation: Tecnicas-Reunidas-LIFE-ZAESS-MaBIC-17.pdf

LIFE ZAESS Project presented in Prague

By admin09 June, 2017News

The results of the LIFE ZAESS were presented at the 11th European Symposium on Electrochemical Engineering held in Prague, Czech Republic, on June 4-8, 2017. More than 110 contributions covered the latest developments in electrochemical science and technology, including energy storage and conversion applications. Almost one third of participants come from outside Europe.

Tecnicas Reunidas explained the potential of zinc-air flow battery technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shared the results of the pilot plant operation and the environmental impact assessment.

For more information: http://www.electrochemical-engineering.eu/2017/
Presentation: Tecnicas-Reunidas-LIFE-ZAESS-ESEE-2017.pdf

zaess-laboratorio-autoconsumo-gas-natural-fenosa

GAS NATURAL FENOSA SELF-CONSUMPTION LABORATORY

By admin12 April, 2017News

Members of the LIFE ZAESS project visited Gas Natural Fenosa’s Self-Consumption Laboratory in Madrid.

The laboratory integrates a PV system, batteries, power converters and an advanced monitoring and control system to test the operation and performance of different self-consumption strategies. The advantages and disadvantages of different storage technologies and their role in increasing the consumption of renewable energy were discussed. The personnel of Gas Natural Fenosa was invited to attend the Final Workshop of the LIFE ZAESS project that will take place in Pamplona on the 14th of June, 2017.

Partners of the LIFE ZAESS project visit the fair Genera

By admin10 March, 2017News

Between 28 February and 3 March, GENERA gathered in IFEMA the proposals of 76 companies and a program of Technical Presentations in which experts and professionals analysed the main challenges and opportunities for the development of the sector.

The content of GENERA contemplated novelties in equipment and services related to the different sources of generation, as well as the proposals of energy service companies. In addition, the fair offered interesting new features in reference to self-consumption, energy monitoring, development of large-scale solar power generation projects, storage of energy resources or management of energy consumption.

The LIFE ZAESS project partners had the opportunity to approach the GENERA fair to learn about the latest developments in the energy storage sector. They also took the opportunity to invite representatives of various companies from the sector to the next LIFE ZAESS Workshop to be held in Pamplona on 14 June. In the same, a final summary of the results of the project will be made and interesting cases will be presented of real applications of large scale storage.

Perspectives of Electrical Storage Workshop

By admin26 January, 2017News

IMDEA Energía, Madrid, 20 January 2017

The research centre IMDEA Energía and the company PV Hardware organised last Friday 20th of January a seminar about energy storage. Several technological and commercial aspects were presented, focusing on experiences about emblematic projects linked to the storage of renewable energy. The event included a visit to IMDEA Energía’s laboratories and to the pilot plant of a vanadium flow battery of PV Hardware.

During the presentations, the project LIFE ZAESS were mentioned while some of the partners from the project attended the session to share their experience on the operation of the zinc-air flow battery technology.

G!E Academy on Storage

By admin23 December, 2016News

Greenovate! Europe members presented their expanding competences in the area of Storage at an academy session organised in co-operation with the Spanish National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER) on December 13. CENER’s Renewable Energy Grid Integration Department (IRE) hosted the event, showcasing the impressive depth and scope of their research and development activities in this field.

With the potential to smooth the integration of renewables, as well to increase grid reliability and reduce costs, storage is increasingly seen as a priority sector by EU industry and policy makers. In Pamplona, Greenovate! Europe members showcased the range of work they are undertaking in this area, covering both storage solutions for the energy system, as well as for industrial and residential users.

CENER presented a selection of the different storage technologies which they are working on, including: CSP solar thermal storage, cryogenic energy storage (CRYOHUB) and zinc-air energy storage (LIFE ZAESS).

Attendance at AETP2016 in Madrid

By admin04 November, 2016News

On October 20 the fourth edition of the conference “Energy Storage technologies and projects” (AETP2016) took place in Madrid.

LIFE ZAESS in the “Gallery of Innovation” of Genera

By admin05 August, 2016News

The LIFE ZAESS project was selected to participate in the Gallery of Innovation of Genera 2016 exhibition, on 15-17 June.

This initiative, now in its eighth edition, is intended to recognize and publicize innovative projects in renewable energy, energy efficiency and environment. The poster prepared for that call was exposed during the days of the International Fair of Energy and Environment in the premises of IFEMA in Madrid.

In addition, the project partners were able to visit the pavilion where the fair was held to know the latest information presented with respect to energy storage to provide services to the network.