ERG · ENERGY FOR A GREEN SOCIETY: FROM SUSTAINABLE HARVESTING TO SMART DISTRIBUTION. EQUIPMENTS, MATERIALS, DESIGN SOLUTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

The ERG project focus on the solar energy supply chain, starting form photovoltaic cells (PV) and proceeding with energy extraction (harvesting) techniques, high efficiency power conversion and finally managing the energy distribution inside a smart grid, with the target of different classes of applications, from house to small area, as well as application specific “local grid” (healthcare, automotive, etc.). By considering the full solar energy supply chain, we expect relevant improvements of the industrial state-of-the-art in the efficiency of PV cells, in the optimization of energy generated by PV systems, in the loss reduction of power converters and finally in energy management strategy. At the initial chain-link of the energy value chain, we primarily target the development of ultra-thin (50-20 micron) Si wafer PV cells, Si heterojunction cells, novel architectures (e.g. back-contact), novel materials (for Si heterojunctions, ARC, and dielectrics), novel approaches for screen printing and laser processing. As a promising low-cost alternative to Si we will pursue the goal of totally printable dye-sensitized-solar cells (DSSC) to demonstrate DSSC products for commercial applications. The next chain-link deals with optimization of the energy generated by PV systems by focusing on power management electronics for silicon cell panels and on micro electromechanical systems for Concentrated cells (CPV). The architecture study will elaborate different profiles of end-users, including direct grid connection, energy storage options and E-mobility support. At the end of the chain we will develop behavioural models for the individual components of the “Smart Grid” to allow for optimal energy dispatching and battery charging algorithms based on wireless sensors distributed over the network. A set of demonstrators, PV cells, conversion systems for PV and CPV inverters, and network demonstrators based on a household and an industrial application will complete the project.