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Description
Monoscience Ecobuilders is involved with insulation for the construction sector, as a reseller but also in the study and design phase.
Currently, up to 84% of the total energy needed for heating and cooling of buildings comes from the use of fossil fuels. As part of the European Green Deal, the EU has set a binding target for achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The EU has raised its 2030 climate ambition, committing to cutting emissions by at least 55% by 2030. This means that steps should be taken towards energy efficiency in buildings, and for the use of renewable energy sources to heat and cool our building stock.
The project “Robotic Concentrated Solar Thermal Collector” is a R&D project with aims to develop a solution that can use solar thermal energy to cover the heating needs of buildings. The collected energy can also be used to cool a building and be applied for clean water production through desalination pasteurisation. The solar thermal collector can be used in residential or commercial buildings (e.g. hotels) and factories. The footprint of the whole system is small enough to be able to be installed in the terrace of most commercial buildings while not being visible from the ground level.
The project will result in the creation of 9 new jobs and 1 new Green Industry Innovation solution. Monoscience Ecobuilders will also increase its revenues and competitiveness.
Summary of project results
In the EU, around 40% of the total energy consumption takes place in buildings, while about a third of the energy-related greenhouse gas emissions comes from buildings. In addition, 80% of the energy used in EU homes is for heating cooling, and hot water. Currently, 85% of EU buildings were build before 2000, and amongst those, 75% has poor energy performance. (source: European Commission).
Currently, up to 84% of the total energy needed for heating and cooling of buildings comes from the use of fossil fuels. As part of the European Green Deal, the EU has set a binding target for achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The EU has raised its 2030 climate ambition, committing to cutting emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Given that buildings account for such high GHG emissions and energy needs, it is clear that steps should be taken towards energy efficiency in buildings, and for the use of renewable energy sources to heat and cool our building stock.
The project “Robotic Concentrated Solar Thermal Collector” is a R&D project that developed a concentrated solar collector that leverages solar thermal energy for use in buildings. In contrast to traditional solar applications for hot water, the "Lightheat" Solar Collector (LSC) developed, due to its high efficiency, power, and very high temperatures reached, is intended to be used for heating and cooling (cooling is achieved in conjunction with a heat pump, where thermal energy is used instead of electric energy) in buildings, particularly for commercial and industrial applications, as well as hotels. The footprint of the whole system is small enough to be able to be installed in the terrace of most commercial buildings while not being visible from the ground level. It can also be retrofitted and connected to a building''s existing heating system. The LSC can achieve savings of around 60% in the energy consumption used for heating and cooling and is expected to have a payback period of around 5 years, according to Monoscience.
In the project, Monoscience first analysed the types of roofs, where the LSC is expected to be installed, to define the specifications for the installation. The specifications of heating and cooling systems in relevant buildings and facilities were also analysed to test the integration of LSC to the building''s existing systems. The design of the Lightheat Solar Collector was also finalised, defining the number and type of lenses, insulation, interconnections, etc. to maximize efficiency and power output while minimising energy losses, the weight of the unit, as well as its cost. A solar tracking base and mechanism, as well as the relevant software, was also developed to automatically rotate and tilt the LSC based on the sun''s position, tracking its movement and making sure that the solar irradiance is exploited to the maximum. A software was also developed to remotely monitor the operation of the LSC, temperatures reached, energy produced, etc.
The project is expected to contribute to an increased use of renewable energy sources for heating and cooling in buildings, therefore leading to reduced GHG emissions as well as reduced energy costs.
For the Project Promoter, the project led to the creation of 4 new jobs so far (but a total of 9 new jobs are expected to be created once the product is fully on the market), and the commercialisation of the LSC will also contribute to increased turnover and net operating profits for Monoscience. Last but not least, 5 new IPR and trademark applications are expected to be submitted in late 2024 or early 2025 (the Project Promoter decided not to submit the applications before the product hits the market, for concerns over confidentiality and trade secrets).