ColteraTREC · ColteraTREC: a highly efficient and lightweight electrochemical heat pump

ColteraTREC is a breakthrough cooling technology, which will radically change the way cooling is accomplished by eliminating the use of vapor-compression cycles, noxious refrigerants, and achieving energy efficiencies close to the theoretical maximum. ColteraTREC systems are lightweight, built from low-cost materials, and do not rely on any critical raw materials.ColteraTREC is based on a ground-breaking, Thermally Regenerative Electrochemical Cycle (TREC) technology, featuring best-in-class TREC electrolytes to enable extremely efficient thermodynamics and high power densities. The system includes innovative low-cost self-healing ion-conductive separators, that are based on biodegradable materials without any fluropolymers. Highly original, lightweight and compact regenerative heat exchangers elevate the thermodynamic efficiencies of the system.The project aims to build, operate and evaluate a lab-prototype ColteraTREC system to demonstrate the technology at a TRL4/5. Extensive characterization of system components and comprehensive modelling framework will provide a solid scientific and engineering foundation for system design and construction. Sustainability analysis will evaluate the environmental footprint of the system. Comprehensive communication plan will disseminate the project achievements and raise the awareness of ColteraTREC among key stakeholders.The ColteraTREC consortium features world-class multidisciplinary expertise from a combination of private enterprises and public Universities to achieve the objectives of the project. The innovator of ColteraTREC is a successful entrepreneur, with global track record of innovation, who will develop and commercialize the technology through a pioneering EU-based start-up company.ColteraTREC will bring clean and efficient cooling solutions to diverse market segments, with initial focus on thermal management of EVs and data centers.