We target a knowledge-based methodological entry to the finding of new generation electrode materials based on perovskites for reversible SOFC/SOEC technologies. The latter are archetypal complex systems: the physico-chemical processes at play involve surface electrochemical reactions, ionic diffusion, charge collection and conduction, which all occur timely within a very limited region. Hence, true in-depth understanding of the key parameters requires characterisation at the right place, at the right time frame and under the proper operating conditions. The price to pay for achieving this multiply-relevant characterisation is the involvement of non-trivial, advanced characterisation techniques. Multi-scale modelling will contribute to turn experimental datasets into a genuine scientific description and make time-saving predictions. In KNOWSKITE-X, the coupling between theoretical and experimental activities is made real by the choice of partners, who are all active in genuinely articulate theory and practice to understand active systems. To provide unifying concepts and to widen the project’s outcomes, intensive collaboration with knowledge discovery using machine-learning and deep learning methods is planned and AI-enabled tools will be used to compensate the smallness of relevant datasets. Such efforts are intended in view of building strong correlations capable of establishing robust composition-structure-activity-performance relations and hence, lead the way to knowledge-based predictions. By doing this, we also target the implementation of simplified testing protocols and tools operable by industrial stakeholders, which results can be augmented thanks to the knowledge-based pivotal correlations implemented during the project. To this end, dedicated efforts will be made in certifying the interoperability and usability of the project’s advances in the form of harmonised documentation and open science sharing.

At the core of the ongoing transformation of technology and energy systems lies the Internet of Things (IoT), a network of interconnected devices capable of collecting and exchanging data with unprecedented efficiency and precision. In this project we aim to develop two different experimental approaches to expand the knowledge gained from the P.CAP project. To develop prismatic supercapacitor cells, using our know-how on coating carbon electrodes for supercapacitors; and to develop planar capacitor cells with Relaxor Ferroelectric (RFE) materials making use of the techniques develop during P.CAP for the manufacturing of planar electrochemical cells. The project will have a strong focus on benchmarking technologies with commercial cells, market competitiveness analysis, preliminary IP landscape, unique value proposition, preliminary budget estimation for scale-up, all of which will be compiled in a business case.

Developing low-cost energy storage systems is a central pillar for a secure, affordable and environmentally friendly energy supply based on renewable energies. A hybrid energy storage system (HESS) can be capable of providing multiple system services (e.g. frequency regulation or renewable balancing) at low cost and without the use of critical resources. Within HyFlow, an optimized HESS is designed consisting of a high-power vanadium redox flow battery (HP-VRFB), a supercapacitor (SC), advanced converter topologies and a highly flexible control system that allows adaptation to a variety of system environments. The system design enables modular long-term energy storage through HP-VRFB, while the SC as a power component ensures high load demands to be handled. The flexible Energy Management System (EMS) will be designed to perform high level of control and adaptability using computational analysis and hardware development. Within HyFlow, this innovative HESS is developed and validated on demonstrator-scale (5 kW scale) including sustainability analysis. The scope is to base the HP-VRFB on recycled vanadium and thereby reduce the environmental impact as well as the costs of the HESS. The consortium will build upon lab-scale and industrial application-scale experimental data to derive models and algorithms for the EMS development and the optimization of existing VRFB and SC components. An industry-scale demonstrator (300 kW scale) provides the possibility to test even the fastest grid-services like virtual inertia. Outputs of the project support the whole value-chain and life cycle of HESS by developing new materials and components and adding them together with an innovative EMS. The development of the above described HESS especially through the flexible EMS allows a plethora usage potentials to be assessed. This will lead to the grid integration of the HESS where the full potential of the flexibility can thoroughly be qualified and optimized for market requirements.

The Heavy Transport Industry is subject to intense pressure both from fierce competition and from increasing fuel costs and stringent regulations on air pollution, traffic management and carbon emissions. At the same time the industry is relying more and more on truck and bus batteries to crank and start engines as well as to run an increasing number of electrical loads. This stress imposed on batteries is one of the major causes of engine start failure with consequent delays on delivery and additional maintenance costs. C2C was founded in 2014 to solve this problem by bringing a new Electric Double Layer Capacitor (supercapacitor) to the energy storage market, the C2C-NewCap. This technology holds a large range of applications from Heavy Truck engine cranking and hybrid traction passenger vehicles to wind turbine pitch control or even utility grid peak shaving. After the initial 200K€ research project started in 2011 funded by public sources, we have raised 210K€ through Venture Capital from Caixa Capital and Innoenergy. This investment allowed us to develop our technology from the lab scale to demonstration in real application conditions (TRL6). In what concerns heavy trucks and buses we eliminate the dead-battery risks by dedicating the starting function to our supercapacitors. We have chosen transportation as our entry market due to the big need existing in the heavy transport segment, where we have a perfect fit, relevant industrial partners and few competitors from whom we differ with a patented technology that makes ours simpler to install, safer to operate, more eco-friendly, more reliable and cheaper. The successful market application of the C2C-NewCap technology will mean more on-time deliveries, less fuel consumption, carbon emissions and air pollution and, ultimately, the end of jumper cables for trucks and buses. C2CNewCap will also expand existing batteries lifespan and reduce the use of lead-acid batteries – which are hazardous and strongly pollutant

Born out of the Instituto Superior Técnico (University of Lisbon), which is ranked among Europe’s top 11 engineering schools, C2C-NewCap has developed a unique aqueous based supercapacitor and have tested, not only in TRL7 environment with a potential customer, but also in collaboration with leading energy players and Tier 1 capacitor manufacturer. Our company’s goal is to have a high impact in the energy storage market and contribute to an efficient use of energy with lower environmental costs. Our entry application will be: Engine starting. Energy storage devices are the key enabler for a sustainable energy future in Europe. Lead-acid batteries is the most common used solution to cranking the internal combustion engine, but requires replacement every two years due to its low cycle life and low power, specially at cold temperatures. Lead-acid batteries have a relatively low acquisition price, but they reveal high ownership cost which includes road assistance upon a “no-start", downtime, excessive idling and maintenance. C2C-NewCap will bring to the market a new energy storage device - Go-Start a supercapacitor module based on a proprietary Nickel Carbon technology that uses a highly conductive water based electrolyte. Our 24V prototype has been successfully demonstrated with potential customers in full operation mode on a 12L 470 horse power diesel truck engine. Moreover in extreme low temperature our technology has demonstrated a much higher performance stability when compared with Lead-acid batteries. Our product will provide safe and reliable engine starts allowing to save 30K euros on operational costs due to battery failure during a vehicle life cycle.