iSTORMY
iSTORMY project (Interoperable, modular and Smart hybrid energy STORage systeM for stationarY applications) is a H2020 project with 12 partners, coordinated by VUB-MOBI. It will start on the 1st of December 2020 and will run for 42 months.
The iSTORMY consortium will develop an innovative and interoperable hybrid stationary energy storage system based on a modular battery pack with modular power electronics interface and universal self-healing energy management strategy. The energy storage system will be developed in a way that allows for easy and fast integration and control.
The hybridization will be achieved by different battery types or by using the same type with different capacities (first and second life). A smart modular solution will also be developed to integrate the cooling system. The modular power electronics interface will be based on SiC devices with high efficiency and Digital Twin modeling. The self-healing will be ensured via machine learning and online algorithms, including the aging and thermal constraints for failure mechanisms.
The developed iSTORMY Hybrid battery energy storage system will have increased lifetime, reduced total cost of ownership and it will be more sustainable compared to already existing solutions. It will be demonstrated in real applications.
At iSTORMY, Zigor will design, prototype and test a new modular power electronics architecture based on low-cost DC/DC and DC/AC converters, high reliability and high efficiency for multi-tech hybrid storage for stationary application.
ISLANDER
ISLANDER aims at developing an even more integrated and efficient central energy management platform in order to manage the various energy assets and balance fluctuations between generation and demand, using local flexibility options such as storage technologies and demand response in combination with renewable energy sources. In addition, an innovative concept for heat supply based on a seawater-powered heat pump and a heat storage tank will be installed in a newly built district close to the port of Borkum. A large hydrogen-based storage will also be deployed. Moreover, a Renewable Energy Community will be created in order to engage the citizens of Borkum and strengthen their participation in the island’s energy transition. These measures will set the course for the creation of a largely carbon-free energy system on the island of Borkum by 2030.
The main role of ZIGOR R&D in the ISLANDER project is to develop the short and medium term community ESS electric storage system (power converters and ultra-capacitor system included) and energy conversion systems for buildings.
SMARTCGH
The increasing penetration of renewables in electricity generation, together with their discordant characteristics with respect to traditional generation: availability, predictability, inertia, ability to control the energy components (active and reactive), as well as the ever-increasing sizes acquired by this type of installations have led both grid operators and distributors to seek to ensure supply continuity and quality.
At the same time, distributed generation is becoming more and more common in the different electrical systems, often coexisting with traditional generation and distribution systems, and even replacing them on some occasions.
The research carried out in this project focuses on a static and dynamic optimization of the power flow between the generator set, the converter, the electrical grid (if applicable) and renewable generators connected downstream. Likewise, the result of the research, as an association of technologies, will increase the possibilities of load acceptance that these would have separately in applications isolated from the network, and will reduce the synchronization time and scope of nominal power generation in applications that require it.
TRUEVALSEC
The electricity grid is evolving towards an intelligent infrastructure (Smart Grid) due to the energy transition, the decentralization of energy generation from renewable sources, the incorporation of new technologies and digitization. This transformation implies new risks, since digitization exposes the energy system to cyberattacks and incidents that can threaten the security of the grid.
The main objective of the TrueValSec project is to generate new cybersecurity technologies innovative, verifiable and scalable, that allow building, from collaboration, solutions to long-term to meet the business and competitiveness challenges of the electricity sector.
VEGAN
The most promising bandgap devices are Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN). These semiconductors have allowed the transformation of power electronics converters, reaching an important leap in aspects such as efficiency, weight and volume. This is due to the fact that its characteristics allow not only to minimize the losses in the semiconductor, but also to reduce the magnetics and the cooling of the converter, minimizing the raw material to be used in the converters.
Zigor seeks to gradually incorporate the latest technologies in terms of energy conversion materials and electronic components that allow us to make a qualitative leap in the power stages of our electronic converters: increase in switching frequency, improve electromagnetic interference, decrease losses, decrease volume and costs, etc. The adoption of the new types of GaN technology WBG semiconductors will allow our products to make a qualitative leap.
KMALEBOX
The main feature that characterises ZIGOR is FLEXIBILITY and ADAPTABILITY to the environment. In order to keep our identity signs, ZIGOR is looking for a new concept of BOX, new in the market, with which it can face the different market demands.
The fundamental objective of the KMALEBOX Project is the design and development of a new concept of OUTDOORS BOX FOR POWER SYSTEMS that includes the CHASSIS and the ENCLOSURE for its integration with the new models of power converters. With the new design, in addition to offering a technologically advantageous and environmentally sustainable solution.
The result of the project will be a new concept of outdoor box, based on ECO-DESIGN and SUSTAINABILITY criteria, which facilitates cost reduction and performance improvement in large power equipment plants.
CIBERPEC
ZIGOR CORPORACIÓN seeks to adapt its products to the new regulatory frameworks in the field of cyber security in order to consolidate its position in the growing transformation of the national electricity market and to boost its international positioning in the direct current market and especially in its range of rectifier-chargers through an innovative and reliable solution that reinforces the security of the network. All this while maintaining or improving cost competitiveness and differentiation from competitors in terms of customisation and adaptation of product specifications to the specific requirements of each customer.
Therefore, the fundamental objective of the Project is the design and development of a battery rectifier-charger for the electrical sector which, from the design phase, contemplates an architecture aimed at minimising the exposure of this type of device to potential threats, as well as being capable of complying with the new cyber-security standards that are setting market trends, such as IEC 62443-4-2 and IEC-1686.
AdCHARGE
The main objective of the project is the design and development of battery chargers for the electricity sector that incorporate advanced ICT technologies for integration with the new smart grid models, using communications based on advanced protocols and a new touch screen interface. It also has a new topology allowing paralleling capability that provides to the chargers greater flexibility, in order to adapt to the latest regulations and market requirements.
INVE1500
The aim of this project is to design and develop a power converter that can be connected up to a maximum voltage of 1500Vdc to photovoltaic and storage systems. The aim is to validate the improvements it offers in the high power range, standing out for being highly efficient, robust, reliable, modular, compact and with high operational availability.
NiERBIMO
NIERBIMO project´s objective for ZIGOR is to increase knowledge in new topologies and advanced power conversion technologies, including the analysis of new advanced features components, and to research on optimized local energy management algorithms and remote EMS ones, focused on energy optimization and maintenance improvement.
ELPIVE
The “ELPIVE: Advanced Power Electronics for future Electric Vehicle Infrastructure” project proposes the generation of knowledge and development of advanced technology to solve the expected issues of including electric vehicle massively in the society.
This project comes to strengthen ZIGOR’s leadership in power conversion technologies and with the adoption of the new types of WBG semiconductors, it will allow a qualitative leap to the different ZIGOR products, improving efficiency, volume and cost.
SICSOL
“SIlicon Carbide SOLutions – SICSOL” project, was born with a clear orientation towards the generation of knowledge and technology development, around Silicon Carbide semiconductors, for its application in the industry.
Through this Project, Zigor seeks to incorporate the latest technologies in terms of materials and electronic components for energy conversion, allowing us to make a qualitative leap in the power modules of our electronic conversors: switching frequency increase, electromagnetic interference improvement, power losses minimization, volume and costs reduction.
oPC_COOL
Design and Development of a new power converter with advanced cooling technologies
The main objective of the project is to design a more compact, robust and efficient solar inverter prototype, based on the design and integration of Optimized Power Module and advance cooling improvements.
The achievement of this objective will entail a clear reduction of environmental impacts, thanks to the:
- Noise reduction
- Productive and auxiliar consumption reduction
- Reduced transport cost
- Production life cycle reduction
IoEnergy
The objective of IoENERGY project is to facilitate the acquisition and capitalization of the data generated in real operating conditions, both for component manufacturers and for service providers and 4.0 technologies, accelerating and optimizing the digitization process to:
- Improve the design of photovoltaic and wind energy systems and components by capturing and exploiting the data of their behavior in service.
- Improve the competitiveness and positioning of Basque component and company companies for the development of new photovoltaic and wind assets management services (monitoring, predictive maintenance, etc.).
- Develop communications technologies, data ingestion and analysis with applications, tools and services specifically directed and adapted to the needs of renewable energies.
More information about the project can be found in http://www.clusterenergia.com/ioenergy.
GANICS
This project researches the potential of the new WBG (Wide BandGap) materials in energy conversion.
The result of this project enables Zigor R&D to reinforce its leadership in power electronics technologies by making use of the latest advances in WBG semiconductor devices that will enable a qualitative leap for Zigor’s products in general, and in particular:
- Renewable energy: Photovoltaic inverters, cogeneration systems
- Storage systems
- Energy backup
- Power conditioning
Obtaining competitive improvements embodied in:
- Systems with enhanced energy efficiency that will not only provide end users with economic benefits due to reduced consumption, but also help in the global fight against climate change by reducing the generation of electric power.
- More compact systems.
- Improved features to enable seamless integration into distribution systems and microgrids.
mGRIDSTORAGE
Research and development into an advanced microgrid model with electric power storage for distribution networks.
The growth of large wind and solar generation facilities that reach grid penetration percentages exceeding 20% requires more efficient and effective dispatchability of these resources to enable them to coexist with traditional generation methods, thus ensuring the new grid code stability requirements deriving from this hybridisation of the new generation matrix.
The products derived from this project will assure ZIGOR’s position in the micro-grid and energy storage markets. They will act as guidelines for the various types of storage solutions for distribution networks. A multi-megawatt solution that can be integrated into micro-grids will be consolidated. The potential of this type of solution for both domestic and export customers is on the horizon.
NETfficient
Energy and economic efficiency for today’s smart communities through integrated multi storage technologies
The project, the research for which is already finished, is in the demonstration phase of local storage technologies in a real electrical installation and the synergies between the smart grid and citizens are being harnessed by the use of ICT tools.
The demonstration in this real environment consists of five use cases that cover both low and medium voltage and consider different scenarios and a wide range of applications and functions.
The following are the results of the project:
- An energy management system to administer the energy in the associated electric power distributors’ storage devices.
- Control systems to integrate management tools and decision-making support to enable integration of renewable resources.
- Generation, forecasting and storage systems in the smart network.
- Innovative storage solutions:
- HESS (hybrid energy storage system – Ultracapacitors + lithium ion batteries)
- Second life batteries for electric vehicles
- Home Hybrid Technologies (Ultracapacitors + Li-ion batteries)
The project is having environmental and socio-economic impacts such as reducing carbon emissions and reducing the EU’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Visit http://netfficient-project.eu/ for further information on this project.
The ZIGOR Group is financed by EUROPEAN COMMISSION, THE EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND, the Basque Government (HAZITEK, ELKARTEK, ECOINNOVACIÓN – IHOBE), CDTI (PID, CID) and DIPUTACIÓN FORAL DE ÁLAVA (ÁLAVA INNOVA).
