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Research & Development Request

Energy sector and wastewater experts sought to join two EUREKA project consortia

Country of Origin: Germany
Reference Number: RDDE20180808001
Publication Date: 16 August 2018

Summary

A German IT company wants to resubmit two EUREKA projects and is looking for suitable project partners. Both projects had been approved in the past but put on hold due to the withdrawal of partners. Project one aims at developing a cloud-based multilingual energy trading platform and the second wants to set up a monitoring system of sensors to detect sulfur compounds in wastewater. (Industry) Partners with professional expertise and experiences in international projects are sought.

Description

A German company with over ten years of experience in European research projects develops software in the field of scientific analysis and prediction. The company has put together two consortia for two EUREKA project proposals. Both proposals had been approved in the past, but due to the withdrawal of the project leaders and co-leaders, they have been put on hold. After consultation with the national project management agency (DLR) in Germany resubmission for both projects will be appreciated and the probability of approval is high. Now, the consortia are looking for new project partners and especially project leaders for resubmission of the proposals. 



Project one

This project is about a trade and distribution model for an energy platform. The main objectives are research of existing energy distribution systems, research of national and international relevant laws and the development of a multilingual IT platform for the commercialization and distribution of energy.

This cloud-based platform will have the advantages of flexibility, availability and low costs for ownership. Configuration, any modifications, and improvements can be made immediately.

At present, the market offers only few software solutions in regards to information systems that meet the needs of the electricity market in general and of small utilities in particular, although small utilities make up the vast majority of existing companies having less than 100,000 customers.

Large electric companies have their own software solutions, which are either customized products or products entirely developed from scratch and implemented by the companies themselves or in collaboration with their technology partners. This results in high costs of product ownership. For small utilities, these products are too expensive, mostly oversized and not adapted to their needs, neither from the functional point of view nor regarding the physical requirements for implementation.

This project wants to develop and provide a globally functioning system that meets all the requirements demanded by the electricity market of utilities with less than 100,000 customers. Therefore the above-mentioned approach is threefold: 1. Research of existing systems, 2. Research of national and international laws and regulations, 3. Development of a multilingual cloud-based platform and IT management for the commercialization and distribution of energy.



Project two

This project aims at developing a new system for the continuous monitoring of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentration in emissions of sewage from urban wastewater and especially in water treatment plants (Wastewater Purification Plant and Wastewater Pumping Station).

In contrast to existing systems, this approach includes a network of sensors (electronic noses) to monitor and detect H2S. This close sensory network in combination with a simulator enables precise predictions of the H2S spatial expansion that other systems are not able to make. 

The two main objectives are: Firstly, to design and implement a sensory system that allows the measurement of the H2S concentration in emissions (in focus issuer) and immissions (contaminants at ground level- ambient air quality). And secondly, to develop and implement a simulator, based on mathematical models, and the sensory measures of H2S concentrations together with real weather data in order to estimate the spatial and temporary expansion of H2S (i.e. a map) in a geographic area around the respective plants. This information enables more efficient management of wastewater treatment facilities, reducing environmental impact and negative effects on the health of citizens.



For each of the projects project partners and a project leader from the industries (energy & wastewater) or with relevant professional experiences are sought. This is a EUREKA open call, planned deadlines are 31/10/18 for EOI 31/12/18 for submission.

Advantages and Innovations

Project 1, the energy distribution platform, is a complete and functional innovation in the electricity market, being more flexible and reducing costs at the same time. On the management side, the software combines a toolset of a CRM, commercial management,  communication with distributors, invoicing, etc.

The multilingual platform will generate only low development and maintenance costs, is highly customizable and flexible and always available. The platform will be designed especially for energy suppliers with less than 100,000 customers. Although it is based on an existing technology, it is used for the first time in this professional context and with these possibilities.

The core features are:

The multilingual solution meets the needs of the various autonomous communities like in different countries or in companies with employees with different languages.

Real-time worldwide mapping of electricity supply (production) and monitoring the "completing integration" by using the software Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to see where and how much energy is currently consumed (in circulation).

This entirely novel technology provides the possibility to offer a product that is different and customizable for each client, based on their needs and number of subscribers, (which also complies with their financial capabilities).



Project 2 aims at developing a system based on a network of electronic noses to continuously monitor hydrogen sulphide (H2S) which is an environmental indicator in wastewater. 

This system will have a sensory detection system for hydrogen sulphide, modeling and estimation of H2S dispersion in the environment and a management platform.

The main advantages are the combination of a new sensory detection system for H2S with a management platform that evaluates the measured results using mathematical models and real weather date to give concrete instructions to the users.

Expertise sought

Project #1 partners sought:

(Industrial) partners needed for the project (lead) are:

•	Electricity and energy suppliers

•	Utility companies

•	Organisations institutions or companies from the energy sector

Project #2 partners sought:

(Industrial) partner

•	A hydrogen sulphide gas specialist as project leader is sought. Also geothermal power station and operating companies or organization and institution with relevant experiences (e.g. “CarbFix” project in Iceland) are wanted.

Stage Of Development

Proposal under development

Stage Of Development Comment

The two EUREKA project proposals had been approved in the past, but as the project leaders had to withdraw from participation the projects were put on hold.

After consultation with the national project management agency (DLR) in Germany resubmission for both projects will be appreciated and the probability of approval is high.

Requested partner

The client is looking for project partners and leaders with experiences in carrying out international and European projects. Partners should come from the industries. The project leaders are expected to carry out all tasks running the projects from international project management, administrative tasks, reporting, communication and marketing to the work on the content within the projects and the work packages. For the first project on the energy distribution platform industry experts from electricity and energy suppliers, utility companies or organizations, institutions or companies are sought.



For the second project on H2S monitoring hydrogen sulphide gas specialists, geothermal power stations and operating companies or organisations or institutions are sought.