Geothermal energy belongs to the group of the so-called renewable energies, such as solar or wind energy. However, its use is not as widespread as in the case of the latter, which does not mean that it lacks a lot of potential.

Geothermal energy has its origin in the temperature difference between lower layers of the soil and soil surface. As it is shown in the following figure, temperature profile versus soil depth follows the pattern shown.

So, as we go deeper under the surface, temperature remains constant during the whole year. Specifically, from 15 meters depth, soil temperature is constant at a value of 10 ºC. This fact means a great advantage, as in winter periods where temperature is low a heat source is available, and the opposite in summer, when temperature is higher a cool source is available. Beyond depths greater than 20 meters, temperature continues rising.

Later in this article, advantages this fact means are described specifically for HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning systems in advance) systems.

 Geothermal basic principles

To understand the advantage of having an available heat source in compare with outdoor temperature, it is important to recall some basic thermodynamic principles, in particular second thermodynamic law that could be formulated as follows: “The entropy of an isolated system that is in equilibrium is constant and has reached its maximum value”  or as follows:  “It is impossible to carry out a cyclic process using an engine connected to two heat reservoirs that will have as its only effect the transfer of a quantity of heat from the low-temperature reservoir to the high-temperature reservoir”.

The question is:  What it is the relation between Geothermal Energy and the second thermodynamic law?

The answer is quite simple if we have a look at the heat pump and refrigeration cycle. Let’s keep our attention to the latest one.

The cooling effect (QL) occurs thanks to the working fluid or refrigerant temperature is lower than the target conditioned space. That means and effective energy transfer occurs from this conditioned space to the refrigerant crossing the evaporator. After that, the refrigerant in compress by a mechanical compressor changing its temperature which allows it to exchange energy to the hotter medium ensuring heat evacuation (QH).

Let´s imagine it is required to maintain a typical summer set temperature of 26 ºC in a conditioned space meanwhile outside temperature is around 35 ºC. To guarantee heat transfers mentioned above, the refrigerant in the evaporator should be cooler than 26 ºC (let´s suppose 20 ºC) and the refrigerant in the condenser should reach a temperature higher than 35ºC (let’s assume 40 ºC) to transfer heat to the outside air. Thus, in this specific situation, compressor is required to apply a pressure change in the refrigerant to achieve a positive temperature difference of 20 ºC with consequent electric energy cost associated.

The performance (η) of these thermodynamic cycles is determined by the ratio between cooling effect (QL) and mechanical energy required to compress refrigerant (W):

η = Q_L/W

If it is assumed compressor energy consumption (W) is proportional to the temperature difference (ΔT) that is requested by the refrigerant, the lower this difference is, the higher is the HVAC system performance. In other words, if instead of exchanging energy with an outdoor air where temperatures in summer could reach 40 ºC a soil is available in which at certain depth and as it was mentioned above, temperature is constant around 10 ºC it is possible to exchange energy reducing compressor energy consumption significantly. Precisely, in this principles geothermal applications rely on.

Geothermal energy applications

According to thermal level required, it could be distinguished three main geothermal application groups

• Very low temperature; between 10 y 30ºC

• Low temperature; betwenn 30 y 90 ºC

• Medium temperature; between 90 y 150 ºC

• High temperature; higher than 150 ºC

Taking into account thermal ranges, geothermal energy could be applied in different situations, from HVAC heat pump to ammoniac absorption applications where high temperature resources are needed. In the next figure, a summary of applications is presented:

Geothermal application in residential and tertiary sector: Thermo active foundations

Based on its energy consumption share associated, residential and tertiary sector represents a market in which higher benefits could be achieved by the use of geothermal applications. It is important to recall, residential sector is responsible for 40% of final energy consumption in Europe.

For the incorporation of geothermal in buildings, or free areas are available in which carry out required perforations or the incorporation of geothermal applications into constructive elements in buildings. This last option is known as thermo active foundations.

Buildings are provided, base on stability reasons, by a set of structural elements made of reinforced concrete as: blocks, foundation systems or slabs, that besides proving mechanical and static resistance are in contact with soil.

The objective of thermo active foundations is based on the possibility of integrating geothermal tubes inside these constructive elements along which certain heat transfer fluid, able to absorb and transmit energy, drives thermal energy to the target building. The success of this type of facilities depends on and appropriate sizing of the trinomial; heating/cooling requirements, heat pump and energy collector system. An inappropriate system sizing entails a higher investment or even the application does not work properly.

Geothermal energy perspectives

According to what is stated in the Spanish Renewable Energies National Plan 2011-2020 (PANER), the contribution to the sector of heating and cooling from renewable energy produced from heat pumps, in which geothermal energy will have a significant presence, it will increase up to 12% in the following years, going from a contribution of 17,4 ktep that nowadays has been registerd up to 50,8 ktep in 2020. In this official Plan, it is also stated that for the promotion of this technology in Spain, public bodies have planned a set of measures focused on increasing the knowledge of the potential geothermal resource in Spain.

Based on this foreseeable evolution, other studies (as Greenpeace Renewable 2050), predict a steady decline in the investments costs related to the technology going from currently 4000 €/kW to 2500 €/kW in the mid term up to stabilize at about 1700 €/kW in the long term. Therefore, the potential of this technology looks bright in the coming decades.

Reference:

	Proyecto GEOCIM (IPT-2011-1790-920000): “Cimentación termoactiva. Integración geotermia en estructura de los edificios para su aprovechamiento en aplicaciones de climatización“. Programa INNPACTO. Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica.

Financed by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Gobierno de España. FEDER. Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional.

Participated in these meetings Carmen Baena -director of R & D of IAT and current president of EGB- representing Spain, along with other representatives from different European countries: Belgium, United Kingdom, France, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Austria and Germany.

EGB consists of entities from ten European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK) and has the mission of defining and promoting the European System of Training and Certification of people Value Management model based on principles and specific methods aimed at improving the performance of an organization optimizing resources. This innovation model has many applications, among others, the optimization of procurement processes in particular organizations and Innovative Public Procurement.

Spain is represented in the EGB by the Center for Value Management CGV, an IAT operational center which includes Spanish entities, and is the national body for the certification of persons in Value Management, both PVM (Expert GV) and TVM (Trainer in GV), according to the European System of Training and Certification in Value Management.

Reference: web  CGV

Angelhelmet is the smart helmet designed and developed by the Spanish company Presistem,  with capacity at all times ensure the integrity, security and the lives of miners and operators of large industries.

Initially facing the mining sector, Angelhelmet incorporates an advanced system of sensors and communication elements that allow a high level of security. Thus, for example, detection systems incorporating gas / polluted atmosphere, motion and impact characteristics and active and passive location. It also includes various communication systems, such as warnings by vibration, LED lights and sound, text messaging, and SOS. It also includes an interactive system evolved and intelligent control and monitoring of the integrity and safety of the operator, making decisions if it does not respond and informing possible dangers. The town, with its innovative protection system wakes up and, even before its release, a lot of interest in various countries.

In its strategic and comercial planning process, Presistem, the Andalusian company creator of the helmet and specialized in engineering and systems development, and the IAT Technological Centre specialized in engineering and knowledge management, have just formalized a partnership, focusing both in the next international commercial launch, as new developments and applications of Angelhelmet. A signing ceremony was chaired by the CEOs of both companies: Miguel Angel Luque, by IAT and Dario Garcia, representing Presistem.

With this agreement, both companies will raise future collaborations that will spread to other areas of R & D and Innovation, such as engineering and process optimization, functional analysis of new alternatives for developing new products and applications, production and assembly systems, as well as new technology and materials, among others. Immediately, and in commercial areas, Angelhelmet will be presented next June in the fair world’s largest Mining, EXPONOR, held this year in Chile, and where it is expected Angelhelmet both mining industries themselves as Latin American companies involved in the distribution and sales.

In addition, looking to the future evolution of Angelhelmet, Presistem and IAT are already considering new applications of this product to other sectors where security premium, as might be sports, firefighting and construction, among others.

On the Spanish side, the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) participates in a consortium coordinated by the Authority for Higher Education (HEA) of Ireland, and whose purpose is the development of the ERA-NET Coordination Action InfraNet within the Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration of the European Union. Based on this set of ERA-NET actions, e-InfraNet will develop and strengthen cooperation and coordination between national e-Infrastructures and facilitate their integration into the European Research Area (ERA). The ERA-NET e-InfraNet create an effective dialogue between the program managers of national e-Infrastructures in Europe, at European Commission level.

More details at:  http://www.e-infranet.eu

The destination of this first mission was Egypt, and the mission has been focused on getting an overview of the energy situation in the country, mainly in relation to renewable energy. In this first mission working sessions have been held with all stakeholders in Energy and Renewable Energy from conducting strategic planning to companies providing energy supply services, local companies that manufacture components for facilities renewable energy Universities conducting R & D in renewable energy, etc.

FORWARD is an international project aimed at contributing to sustainable development in Africa, reducing dependence on energy imports and promoting science, technology and policies to support research in the field of renewable and sustainable energy. Under this primary guidance it includes a number of specific objectives:

• Enhancing networking among key institutions in the field of renewable and sustainable energy, through the creation of public-private partnerships.
• Identifying the Best adapted Renewable Energy Technologies (BRETs) for optimal energy generation from renewable energy sources.
• Supporting policies for the development and monitoring of Renewable Energy Strategies in different countries.
• To promote and spread the use of renewable energy technologies and demonstrate the environmental, economic and social use.

The project, lasting 24 months, is funded through the agreement between the European Commission and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries under the Africa Component Program (ACP) of the Research Programme for Sustainable Development Program of the 10th European Development Fund. The Commission of the African Union (AU) is the Delegated Regional Authority for ACP, which has two main lines:

- Strengthening, in an innovative and sustainable way, research capacity in Africa through direct funding of the AU Science and Technology Policy, and in particular the implementation of the Consolidated Action Plan and flagship projects.

- Improving collaboration in scientific research and intraregional cooperation, contributing to sustainable development in Africa

It is anticipated that the deployment and enhancement of scientific and technological research in these areas will contribute effectively to the strategies of poverty reduction in Africa, economic growth and social development.

The next mission will FORWARD techniques as destinations Tanzania and Uganda.

¿What are desiccant materials?

Materials as silica gel are widely known and we can find them in small doses, together with products as clothes, measuring instruments or lenses.  The objective of this kind of substances is simply to catch ambient moisture and avoid damages by effect of this.

It is important to highlight that adsorption is a superficial phenomenon in opposition to absorption, which is a volumetric process. Adsorption is a process in which atoms or molecules from a fluid are caught in a material that present a high porosity making it able to retain many molecules circulating inside its cavities.

But, beyond phenomena at molecular or atomic level, from a macroscopic perspective, adsorbent materials allow to capture water molecules contained in an air flow. This process occurs until the desiccant material reaches its saturation level. At this instant, it is necessary to remove the moisture by a high thermal level air flow. This process is known as desiccant regeneration, so as to cover a complete cycle adsorption-regeneration.

Air moisture plays a key role in our daily life. In terms of thermal comfort, the higher level of moisture in air the higher sense of heat. This is because when air reaches its saturated point, in which it cannot adsorb more water, is not able to remove energy from human body surface by transpiration (mass transfer mechanism between human body and ambient) and a layer of sweat is generated, that apart from a feeling of discomfort, further increase the sense of heat. At the same time, a change in the thermal state of an air flow with a high level of moisture requires more energy than in the case of a drier air flow because the presence of water molecules in the air increase the heat capacity of the air, that is the amount of energy needed to change the temperature of a substance.

So the question is clear, is it possible to obtain energy benefits from the properties of desiccant materials? The answer is yes, although it is mandatory to include other additional processes such as evaporative cooling.

HVAC applications

Since the approval of the Regulation of Energy and Thermal Facilities in Buildings, requirements related to air quality mean an increase in the renovation of air from outside with consequent energy consumption associated. In accordance with the Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre, energy consumption associated to ventilation and infiltration in residential and tertiary sector accounts for 48% of total final energy demand. So, the use of facilities intended to minimize energy consumption for the condition of outdoor air will lead important energy savings in buildings.

In this sense, desiccant cooling cycles represent an efficient solution to reduce energy needs mentioned above.

Most popular applications, which use adsorption materials for conditioning spaces, are known as Open-Cycle Solid Desiccant Cooling Systems.

Pennington cycle (schemma)

As it is shown in the previous figure, to achieve energy purposes is necessary to include additional sub-systems. The elements and the functions of each of them are described below:

• Desiccant wheel: geometrical arrangement in which desiccant works alternatively in adsoprtion and desorption regimes (desiccant regeneration process).

Dessicant wheel

• Regenerator: unit for heating an air flow that allows to regenerate desiccant material. This unit or hot source can be supply by solar thermal energy, application called Solar cooling. This process is the most critical as requires temperatures between 80 and 90º C to regenerate the desiccant, which penalizes the performance ratio of the whole system considerably.

• Evaporative chillers: units for chilling air by water evaporation.

From a wide perspective, targeted air stream evolves from point (1), to point (4) in which the air is introduced in the space objective with a lower temperature and drier, though, in comfort condition regarding humidity.

Solar cooling systems

The peculiarity of solar cooling system is that energy needs for desiccant regeneration is supplied by solar technology.Taking into account that solar energy is “free”, by using this energy the performance ratio of the whole cycle will be increased.
	Solar cooling system

Advantages of solar cooling systems using desiccants.

• Reduce energy consumption associated with traditional Air-treatment units, if solar energy is included.
• Can operate in combination with other air conditioning systems.
• They allow controlling both temperature and humidity.

Dissadvantages of solar cooling systems using desiccants.

• Its performance ratio is not as high as traditional mechanical units.
• An accurate maintenance is required in the desiccant wheel, as it is possible because suspended particles in the air could be disposed in the wheel reducing its performance, contamination of the desiccant wheel.
• Thermal energy is required for the desiccant regeneration.

Other applications of desiccant materials

Beyond HVAC applications introduced above, potentially there are countless applications so as to modify thermal properties in air flows.

Therefore, why not integrate desiccant in ventilated façades to optimize building’s energy performance preserving aesthetic quality at the same time?

Reference:

		FAVEDES Project.  IPT-2011-1737-920000. Ventilated facade system with desiccant outdoor air conditioning. Project funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Government of Spain. ERDF. European Regional Development Fund.

Let’s begin by considering two types of prototypes: virtual prototypes, on which verifications and test are made virtually on what’s called digital mock-up, and rapid prototypes, which will allow us to obtain a physical prototype on which make those verifications and test (but at higher costs).

Both technologies are greatly used and useful within Industrial Design, and both types of prototyping are complementary, since their objectives may be different. For the same product we may need to make a rapid prototype to test and verify the design and functionality of it, and to prepare a virtual prototype to simulate it’s behaviour with in a test, make presentations or even prepare a training or instructions on it, all before manufacturing.

On this post we focus on virtual prototypes.

Virtual prototypes are based on software. Its election will be based on the desired use for the digital mock-up. Virtual reality has been applied to many uses such as toys, moulds, architecture, furniture or electronics using 3D models.

There are two main applications of virtual prototypes within Industrial Design: one is when used in the product concept and design – before production (normality called Virtual Prototype), and the other corresponds to marketing and sales – after production (normally called Virtual marketing).

Main uses of Virtual Prototype:

• Design proposals.
• Structural and dynamical analysis.
• Test simulations.
• Ergonomy checkings using virtual dummies.

Main uses os Virtual Marketing:

• Virtual presentation of products.
• E-commerce using 3D figures.
• Assembly manuals.

It is also possible to use virtual reality tools for:

• Training: training of personnel for complex machinery, component assembly, using (flight, naval, …)  simulators, etc.
• Systems and production processes simulations, for example, the construction of a new aircraft.

See below, graphically, various examples (press on the images to enlarge):

Image 1: Furniture configurator

Image 2:   Virtual areality used for e-commerce.

Image 3: Presentation of a new product (automobile)

Image 4: Ergonomy analysis

Image 5: Stability analysis

Image 6: Mechanical Systems

– This post follows this none (in Spanisn) -

Should you want it to be translated into English too, please feel free to send us a comment requesting it

SMART-MED-PARKS project aims to improve energy efficiency in technological parks of the Mediterranean area.

The main goals of the project are:

• To develop new generation of Science and Technology Parks (STPs) under three main pillars: energy efficiency, energy self-sufficiency through local and green power generation, and integration with existing energy networks.
• To generate a direct energy saving related to losses in distribution and transport network.
• To promote the creation of a self-sufficient generation and consumption energy model.

With an expected duration of 24 months, the SMART-MED-PARKS project will focus at a first stage on the characterization of energy demand and facilities for generation and distribution of energy in Parks. For this purpose the project will involve from its start external experts to validate the results and advances.

At a second stage there will be a characterization of technologies for local power plants (electric, thermal, …) and the environmental impact assessment for each one. All the identified technologies will be inserted in a software tool to help the modelling of a Smart Park.

After this assessment, Pilot actions plans will start in selected Parks in order to transform a conventional Technology Park into a Smart Technology Park.

Energy efficiency is a key factor for future competitive economy and cleaner cities development . This project will allow Parks to have a direct energy saving related to losses in distribution and transport network (in Spain REE quantify the losses in 13%), besides it will allow to incorporate technologies that make use of renewable energy or waste energy sources.

To ask for more information, please contact with the International Programs Department of IAT   afurphy@iat.es

Eco-innovation are all forms of innovative activity which aim to improve products (goods or services), the production processes or service provision, and methods of marketing or business management. This activity can prevent or considerably reduce the impacts on the environment and is profitable from an economic point of view.

The European Union is committed to promote Eco-innovation and this can be seen with its recent launch of the Eco-innovation Action Plan which is one of the commitments of the emblematic initiative “Innovation Union”, included within the primary objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy for stimulating an intelligent, sustainable and integrating growth in the European Union.

We are immersed in a cycle of change when it comes to financing mechanisms. One of these mechanisms, Horizon 2020, is an investment in the future of the European Union, focused on supporting projects and initiatives that offer important business opportunities and contributes to improve citizen life.

The participation in these emblematic initiatives like the European Innovation Partnerships (EIP) is a crucial activity for being prepared for future financing mechanisms of the Eco-innovation. The objective of the Spanish Technological Platform for Environmental Technologies (PLANETA) is to consolidate Spanish interests in these European initiatives through active participation in EIP on water. In the Steering Group and Task Force of EIP on Water, ABENGOA Water (coordinator of the strategic line of the Global Water Cycle of PLANETA) participates. Moreover, ABENGOA Water, supported by the working groups of PLANETA, has worked recently in the formulation of the Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) of EIP on Water.

In the same way, IAT, as General Secretariat of PLANETA participates actively in the promotion of the Environmental Technology Verification as an instrument to promote a greater market penetration of the eco-innovative technologies. To this end, this can be achieved through two measures: firstly, through the participation in the Global ETV operator network, and secondly, supporting the standardization processes at international level (ISO/TC 207 – Environmental management).

This would not be possible without the involvement and the participation of PLANETA members (290 in 2013).

After the success achieved in the brokerage event held in the framework of Spanish National Congress for Environment – CONAMA 2012, PLANETA aims to promote another business meeting in the framework of the Iberoamerican Sustainable Development Event. This meeting, which will be held in Chile next June, aims to encourage the collaboration between both sides and the search for partnerships on both sides of the Atlantic.

INTE-TRANSIT, is a project co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the MED Programme that launched its activities in January 2013 with the organisation of the consortium kick-off meeting that was held in Athens, Greece and hosted by the project coordinator, the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (http://i-sense.iccs.gr).

The basic objective of INTE-TRANSIT is to enhance information management systems currently used in ports and in their logistic activities areas through the definition of an integrated management model involving public and private organizations and devising a common and harmonized Mediterranean processes and indicators map. INTE-TRANSIT will also promote an ICT solution towards monitoring and positioning of port containers improving traceability, visibility and transparency of transport of goods in the MED.

More specifically, INTE-TRANSIT is expected to:

• Strengthen communication links between i) ports and relevant authorities across the MED Basin, ii) all relevant actors in the maritime transfers and iii) ports and their logistic activities areas, through the use of ICT technologies for enhancing information management systems.
• Define an integrated management model involving public and private organizations (in ports and their logistic activities areas) and devise a common and harmonized MED processes map and indicators. This will lead to more efficient ports interoperability and a relevant improvement of the flow of goods, cargo traceability, visibility and transparency.
• Provide a training framework for ports and logistic areas personnel (administrative/managerial and labor workers). Training sessions will be provided towards the Ports, Port Authorities, Logistic Activities Areas Managers and Logistics partners, focusing on logistic/security frameworks, transportation tracking mechanisms, ports telematics infrastructures as well as modern ICT technologies towards improved communications/cooperation.
• Execute 5 pilot projects to demonstrate the improvement of logistic systems and port operations using the proposed new INTE-TRANSIT technologies. Two different sets of pilots will be executed at the involved ports: 1. Application of ICT technologies on container/cargo tracking/monitoring, 2. Electronic tool/platform to implement the management model designed including the scoreboard associated.
• Develop/execute a best practice exchange framework for exchange of experience within the project as a sustainable means of communication beyond the project. Exchange visits will be focusing on knowledge gaining and awareness development on port modules (logistic organization, enhanced goods traceability, improved quality assurance).

IAT participates in INTE-TRANSIT, and its main functions include coordination of training activities and the module “System integration and testing.” In addition, IAT participates in outreach activities and workshops, as well as exchange visits and other technical activities planned (requirements gathering, software modules and development of pilot projects).

This project, which will run until June 2015, has a budget of over 1.8 billion Euros. As already outlined, the coordinating body is the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (Greece), and also involved the Port of Koper (Slovenia), Piraeus Container Terminal (Greece), CO.NA.TE.CO. SPA (Italy), Valenciaport Foundation (Spain), SEAbility (Greece) and, on the Spanish side, in addition to IAT, APPA-Public Ports Agency of Andalusia (Spain).

The project website will be soon available at  http://www.inte-transit.eu.

More information:

Dr. Angelos Amditis (ICCS) a.amditis@iccs.gr

Gracia Buiza (IAT) gbuiza@iat.es