This research-line relates with the conversion of a variety of renewable sources (solar, wind, geothermal, ocean, biomass) into clean energy carriers (electricity, heat, cold, hydrogen). Most of the research activity is focused on conceiving innovative, high performance and cost-effective solutions to exploit renewable energy, including advanced plant configurations, power cycles, working and heat carriers fluids, storage systems, hybrid plants, etc. Plant performance simulation is carried out by means of in-house developed software tools and/or commercial simulation programs, in design, transient and off-design conditions. Results are compared with data from real-scale plants or custom developed plants located in our labs. The final assessment of plant performance encompasses both technical and economical aspects of the considered solutions.
Concentrating Solar Power
The possibility of storing at low cost solar thermal energy makes CSP one of the key renewable technologies. The activity is mainly focused on modelling of conventional and advanced CSP systems. In particular:
Techno-economic analysis of Large and small scale CSP plants (solar towers, parabolic trough, Dish, Fresnel system) for electric energy generation.
Modelling of specific CSP subcomponents (e.g., Thermal Energy Storage, Solar Receiver, Solar Collector, Power Block)
Modelling of advanced systems for solar fuels production (thermochemical cycles, high temperature electrolysis)
Solar Photovoltaic
The activity on PV, boosted by the installation of the SolarTech lab, allows to simulate, model and test different types of devices:
Conventional PV systems
Hybrid PVT systems for cogeneration
Advanced concentrating PV with reflective and refractive optics
Analysis and simulation of smart grids with PV
Bioenergy and Waste-to-Energy
Most of the activities on biomass and waste recovery are carried out at LEAP & MatER Study Center
Modeling of integrated systems for power generation and district heating supply
Efficiency evaluation of conventional and advanced Waste-to-Energy (WtE) facilities
Innovative thermo-chemical processes (ex. gasification and pyrolysis) and synthetic fuels production
Biogas upgrading technologies and biomethane value chain development
Thermal characterization of industrial combustion chambers
Performances and emissions experimental assessment of small scale biomass fired boilers
Energetic use of Microalgae
Geothermal energy
This abundant and versatile renewable resource, continuously available 24 hours a day, can be exploited for several uses. This subject has been investigated for many years and the GECOS group has a deep knowledge of the whole spectrum of technologies to generate electrical energy from geothermal sources, with particular expertise in ORC technology. The research activity involves:
Modelling and techno-economic analysis of high enthalpy and low enthalpy geothermal plants
Modelling and optimisation of geothermal plants for power, heat and cold production
Management of smart thermal networks
Cooperation with the main European stakeholders in the frame of geothermal energy
Hydropower
Hydroelectric power generation provides 67% of the world renewable electricity and ensure high flexibility to the grid through storage and pumping-storage plants. Our research activity includes:
Optimisation of the preliminary design stage of the plant through the development of custom SAS tools for automatic turbine sizing
Design and optimisation of Archimedean screw turbines and innovative plant layouts for low-head applications
Energy-potential assessment and plant design for irrigation and drinking-water networks
Drive train modelling and performance assessment of existing plants
Wind power
Global installed capacity from wind power is strongly increasing with a ratio of 15% per year. Our research activity focuses on the following topics:
Performance assessment of existing wind turbine generators including drive-train modelling and production forecast
Analysis and simulation of load-balancing energy systems
Ocean energy, hybrid plants and other renewable technologies
Techno-economic analysis of plants exploiting ocean thermal gradient (OTEC plants) and salinity gradient
Modelling and techno-economic analysis of hybrid plants, integrating different renewable sources (solar, geothermal, biomass, OTEC and possibly others), with special emphasis on plants based on ORC technology
For further information on solar technologies: Prof. Giampaolo Manzolini (giampaolo.manzolini@polimi.it)
For further information on bioenergy technologies: Prof. Matteo Romano (matteo.romano@polimi.it)
For further information on waste-to-energy: Prof. Stefano Consonni (stefano.consonni@polimi.it)
For further information on hydro, wind, geothermal, and other RES: Prof. Paolo Silva (paolo.silva@polimi.it)
Recent publications
2019 |
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Bernardoni, C; Binotti, M; Giostri, A Techno-economic analysis of closed OTEC cycles for power generation Journal Article Renewable Energy, 132 , pp. 1018–1033, 2019, ISSN: 0960-1481. @article{Bernardoni2019,
title = {Techno-economic analysis of closed OTEC cycles for power generation}, author = {C Bernardoni and M Binotti and A Giostri}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148118309595}, doi = {10.1016/j.renene.2018.08.007}, issn = {0960-1481}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-03-01}, journal = {Renewable Energy}, volume = {132}, pages = {1018–1033}, publisher = {Pergamon}, abstract = {This study aims at offering a techno-economic evaluation of closed OTEC cycles for on-shore installations. A flexible Matlabtextregistered suite has been developed to identify plant design parameters (temperature difference of cold and warm seawater, pinch-point temperature difference of evaporator and condenser etc.) that guarantee the maximum value of $gamma$ (ratio between electricity output and heat exchangers area). The optimization model is able to handle different working fluids through the addition of specific correlations that consider fluid influence on heat transfer coefficients and turbine performance. Each plant component is technically analyzed and, in particular, plate heat exchangers were considered for evaporator and condenser and sized accurately with Aspen EDRtextregistered, while expander was analyzed with the in-house code Axtur. For warm seawater temperature of 28 °C and cold seawater temperature of 4 °C (8500 kg/s taken from 1000 m depth), ammonia cycle is the best solution characterized by efficiency equal to 2.2% and net power output equal to 2.35 MWe. The obtained LCOE (269 €/MWhe) confirms how OTEC technology is not ready to compete in energy market. Nevertheless, remote zones (i.e. small islands archipelagos), which are often characterized by high electricity price, represent interesting scenarios where OTEC technology could be a promising alternative to conventional power production technologies.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This study aims at offering a techno-economic evaluation of closed OTEC cycles for on-shore installations. A flexible Matlabtextregistered suite has been developed to identify plant design parameters (temperature difference of cold and warm seawater, pinch-point temperature difference of evaporator and condenser etc.) that guarantee the maximum value of $gamma$ (ratio between electricity output and heat exchangers area). The optimization model is able to handle different working fluids through the addition of specific correlations that consider fluid influence on heat transfer coefficients and turbine performance. Each plant component is technically analyzed and, in particular, plate heat exchangers were considered for evaporator and condenser and sized accurately with Aspen EDRtextregistered, while expander was analyzed with the in-house code Axtur. For warm seawater temperature of 28 °C and cold seawater temperature of 4 °C (8500 kg/s taken from 1000 m depth), ammonia cycle is the best solution characterized by efficiency equal to 2.2% and net power output equal to 2.35 MWe. The obtained LCOE (269 €/MWhe) confirms how OTEC technology is not ready to compete in energy market. Nevertheless, remote zones (i.e. small islands archipelagos), which are often characterized by high electricity price, represent interesting scenarios where OTEC technology could be a promising alternative to conventional power production technologies.
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Binotti, M; Invernizzi, C M; Iora, P; Manzolini, G Dinitrogen tetroxide and carbon dioxide mixtures as working fluids in solar tower plants Journal Article Solar Energy, 181 , pp. 203–213, 2019. @article{Binotti2019,
title = {Dinitrogen tetroxide and carbon dioxide mixtures as working fluids in solar tower plants}, author = {M Binotti and C M Invernizzi and P Iora and G Manzolini}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85061055063&doi=10.1016%2Fj.solener.2019.01.079&partnerID=40&md5=96c25fbc9961c383d9dc71bebbe7573b}, doi = {10.1016/j.solener.2019.01.079}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, journal = {Solar Energy}, volume = {181}, pages = {203–213}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
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Gabrielli, P; Gazzani, M; Novati, N; Sutter, L; Simonetti, R; Molinaroli, L; Manzolini, G; Mazzotti, M Energy Conversion and Management: X, 1 , 2019. @article{Gabrielli2019,
title = {Combined water desalination and electricity generation through a humidification-dehumidification process integrated with photovoltaic-thermal modules: Design, performance analysis and techno-economic assessment}, author = {P Gabrielli and M Gazzani and N Novati and L Sutter and R Simonetti and L Molinaroli and G Manzolini and M Mazzotti}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85060879845&doi=10.1016%2Fj.ecmx.2019.100004&partnerID=40&md5=8be474608cb2e1ba147fb83dbbb7941d}, doi = {10.1016/j.ecmx.2019.100004}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, journal = {Energy Conversion and Management: X}, volume = {1}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
2018 |
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Crespi, F; Toscani, A; Zani, P; Sánchez, D; Manzolini, G Effect of passing clouds on the dynamic performance of a CSP tower receiver with molten salt heat storage Journal Article Applied Energy, 229 , pp. 224–235, 2018. @article{Crespi2018,
title = {Effect of passing clouds on the dynamic performance of a CSP tower receiver with molten salt heat storage}, author = {F Crespi and A Toscani and P Zani and D Sánchez and G Manzolini}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85050993424&doi=10.1016%2Fj.apenergy.2018.07.094&partnerID=40&md5=42afe4b123f11d09a994c24403f9c2ae}, doi = {10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.07.094}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Applied Energy}, volume = {229}, pages = {224–235}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
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Polimeni, S; Binotti, M; Moretti, L; Manzolini, G Solar Energy, 162 , pp. 510–524, 2018. @article{Polimeni2018,
title = {Comparison of sodium and KCl-MgCltextlessinftextgreater2textless/inftextgreater as heat transfer fluids in CSP solar tower with sCOtextlessinftextgreater2textless/inftextgreater power cycles}, author = {S Polimeni and M Binotti and L Moretti and G Manzolini}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85041378040&doi=10.1016%2Fj.solener.2018.01.046&partnerID=40&md5=dc8ea5ee2ccaa210ba6045796329f305}, doi = {10.1016/j.solener.2018.01.046}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Solar Energy}, volume = {162}, pages = {510–524}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
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Di Marcoberardino, G; Vitali, D; Spinelli, F; Binotti, M; Manzolini, G Green hydrogen production from raw biogas: A techno-economic investigation of conventional processes using pressure swing adsorption unit Journal Article Processes, 6 (3), 2018. @article{DiMarcoberardino2018a,
title = {Green hydrogen production from raw biogas: A techno-economic investigation of conventional processes using pressure swing adsorption unit}, author = {G {Di Marcoberardino} and D Vitali and F Spinelli and M Binotti and G Manzolini}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85044332037&doi=10.3390%2Fpr6030019&partnerID=40&md5=fb872c2b84bac86dad8e42b2f8a5704d}, doi = {10.3390/pr6030019}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Processes}, volume = {6}, number = {3}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
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Toscani, A; Crespi, F; Sánchez, D; Binotti, M; Manzolini, G Assessment of different control strategies to manage cloud-induced transients in central receiver systems using molten salts Inproceedings AIP Conference Proceedings, 2018. @inproceedings{Toscani2018,
title = {Assessment of different control strategies to manage cloud-induced transients in central receiver systems using molten salts}, author = {A Toscani and F Crespi and D Sánchez and M Binotti and G Manzolini}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85057130036&doi=10.1063%2F1.5067074&partnerID=40&md5=d01d3627a8305f90001b8d4e7bace911}, doi = {10.1063/1.5067074}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, booktitle = {AIP Conference Proceedings}, volume = {2033}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } |
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Dolara, A; Leva, S; Manzolini, G; Niccolai, A; Votta, L Impact of Cell Microcracks Size and Spatial Distribution on Output Power of PV Modules Inproceedings Proceedings – 2018 IEEE International Conference on Environment and Electrical Engineering and 2018 IEEE Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Europe, EEEIC/I and CPS Europe 2018, 2018. @inproceedings{Dolara2018,
title = {Impact of Cell Microcracks Size and Spatial Distribution on Output Power of PV Modules}, author = {A Dolara and S Leva and G Manzolini and A Niccolai and L Votta}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85056497875&doi=10.1109%2FEEEIC.2018.8493681&partnerID=40&md5=3e3de135fb61008ff8ed89ad151df372}, doi = {10.1109/EEEIC.2018.8493681}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, booktitle = {Proceedings – 2018 IEEE International Conference on Environment and Electrical Engineering and 2018 IEEE Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Europe, EEEIC/I and CPS Europe 2018}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } |
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Picotti, G; Borghesani, P; Cholette, M E; Manzolini, G Soiling of solar collectors – Modelling approaches for airborne dust and its interactions with surfaces Journal Article Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 81 , pp. 2343–2357, 2018. @article{Picotti20182343,
title = {Soiling of solar collectors – Modelling approaches for airborne dust and its interactions with surfaces}, author = {G Picotti and P Borghesani and M E Cholette and G Manzolini}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85021185295&doi=10.1016%2Fj.rser.2017.06.043&partnerID=40&md5=994067a17fabecc60b3f10c37237606c}, doi = {10.1016/j.rser.2017.06.043}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews}, volume = {81}, pages = {2343–2357}, abstract = {This literature review deals with the well-known problem of soiling in solar plants, which it severely affects the energy yield of solar power plants. A loss of reflectivity due to soiling reduces the entire productivity of the plant by limiting the energy harvested (i.e. the incoming direct normal irradiance is not properly reflected towards the right focus). On the other hand, the costs of maintenance and cleaning of the collectors represent a significant component of the plant operational costs. Therefore, in this paper, a multi-disciplinary literature review is conducted with the aim of collecting existing models for the key processes, organising them into a ‘dust life cycle’. This cycle is divided into four steps: Generation, Deposition, Adhesion, and Removal; with emphasis on the interaction between dust particles and solar collectors’ surfaces. Generation deals with the loading of atmosphere with dust particles, deposition concerns the processes that actually bring airborne dust onto the collectors’ surface, adhesion and removal represent the competing forces whose balance determine which particles remains adherent on the collectors and which are detached. The intent is to provide a complete framework for the development of a future physical model for the prediction and estimation of the actual soiling of the solar collectors, which engineers can implement in order to maximize the revenues of CSP plant, pushing towards more clean and sustainable energy production technologies. textcopyright 2017 Elsevier Ltd}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This literature review deals with the well-known problem of soiling in solar plants, which it severely affects the energy yield of solar power plants. A loss of reflectivity due to soiling reduces the entire productivity of the plant by limiting the energy harvested (i.e. the incoming direct normal irradiance is not properly reflected towards the right focus). On the other hand, the costs of maintenance and cleaning of the collectors represent a significant component of the plant operational costs. Therefore, in this paper, a multi-disciplinary literature review is conducted with the aim of collecting existing models for the key processes, organising them into a ‘dust life cycle’. This cycle is divided into four steps: Generation, Deposition, Adhesion, and Removal; with emphasis on the interaction between dust particles and solar collectors’ surfaces. Generation deals with the loading of atmosphere with dust particles, deposition concerns the processes that actually bring airborne dust onto the collectors’ surface, adhesion and removal represent the competing forces whose balance determine which particles remains adherent on the collectors and which are detached. The intent is to provide a complete framework for the development of a future physical model for the prediction and estimation of the actual soiling of the solar collectors, which engineers can implement in order to maximize the revenues of CSP plant, pushing towards more clean and sustainable energy production technologies. textcopyright 2017 Elsevier Ltd
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Picotti, G; Borghesani, P; Manzolini, G; Cholette, M E; Wang, R Development and experimental validation of a physical model for the soiling of mirrors for CSP industry applications Journal Article Solar Energy, 173 , pp. 1287–1305, 2018. @article{Picotti2018b,
title = {Development and experimental validation of a physical model for the soiling of mirrors for CSP industry applications}, author = {G Picotti and P Borghesani and G Manzolini and M E Cholette and R Wang}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85052756741&doi=10.1016%2Fj.solener.2018.08.066&partnerID=40&md5=e730158b0d71f22b1597505a39ee6129}, doi = {10.1016/j.solener.2018.08.066}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Solar Energy}, volume = {173}, pages = {1287–1305}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |