The project aims at the development of an innovative RES-based system for heat and electricity supply in order to achieve an almost energy autonomous multi-family building with regard to heating and electricity consumption as well as electro-mobility. This shall be achieved by integrating a novel highly efficient biomass micro-CHP technology based on an updraft gasifier, a new gas cleaning system and a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a state-of-the-art PV system and appropriate innovative energy storage solutions. This system shall be economically highly attractive for future users and it shall also distinguish itself by virtually zero emissions of CO, OGC and dust as well as 55% to 65% reduced NOx emissions compared to other biomass CHP technologies. Consequently, it shall increase the penetration of RES on the multi-family house level and has the potential to significantly contribute to reaching the EU climate and clean air goals. The key innovations of the project are related to the novel micro-scale biomass CHP system. They comprise a flexible partitioning of product gas supplied to the SOFC and to a gas burner in order to cover the overall heat demand and to maximise SOFC operation at the same time, a novel combined thermal and catalytic tar reformer, new highly efficient and durable stack units and a novel compact SOFC system with integrated HCl and H2S removal reactor. Based on a 2.5 kWel SOFC with an electric efficiency of 44%, which is flexibly coupled with a 14 kW gasifier, overall efficiencies of more than 90% shall be gained. A TRL of 5 shall be achieved at the end of the project. The methodology applied to reach these goals relies on technology development tasks (based on process simulations, CFD aided design of the single units, test plant construction, performance and evaluation of test runs), a technology assessment part covering risk, techno-economic, environmental and overall impact assessments as well as targeted dissemination activities.

The project aims at the development of a new fuel flexible and highly efficient residential biomass heating technology (20 - 130 kW). It is based on the successful UleWIN wood chip and pellet boiler concept consisting of a fixed-bed updraft gasifier directly coupled with a Low-NOx gas burner and a hot water boiler, which shall be further developed for fuel flexible operation (utilisation of forest residues, SRF, miscanthus, olive stones, nut shells and agro-pellets). Moreover, a compact flue gas condensation system with integrated condensate neutralisation, also capable to operate with highly acidic flue gases from agricultural fuel combustion, shall be developed to increase the efficiency of the whole system up to 110% (related to the fuel NCV). An advanced control system as well as measures for improved system integration shall additionally increase the annual utilisation rate up to 95%. It is expected to achieve at the end of the project a TRL of 5. These objectives are very relevant to the work programme since they focus on highly efficient and fuel flexible residential heat production at almost zero CO and OGC emissions, by 50% reduced NOx emissions (compared with conventional boilers) as well as ultra-low PM emissions below 13 mg/MJ (even when utilising K-rich fuels). Since this shall be reached by primary measures only, fuel flexible heat generation will be possible at reduced heat generation costs in comparison to present heating systems. To fulfil these goals an overall methodology shall be applied which is divided into a technology development part (based on process simulations, computer aided design of the single units, test plant construction, performance and evaluation of test runs) as well as a technology assessment part covering risk, techno-economic, environmental and overall impact assessments, market studies regarding the possible potentials for application of the new technology as well as dissemination activities.

The project aims at the development of a new innovative highly efficient and fuel flexible micro-scale biomass CHP technology consisting of a small-scale fixed-bed updraft gasifier, a compact gas cleaning system and a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The technology shall be developed for a capacity range of 25 to 150 kW (fuel power) and shall be characterised by a wide fuel spectrum applicable (wood pellets and wood chips of various sizes and moisture contents, SCR, selected agricultural fuels), high gross electric (40%) and overall (85-90%) efficiencies as well as almost zero gaseous and PM emissions. This aim shall be reached by the combination of a fuel-flexible updraft gasification technology with ultra-low particulate matter and condensed alkaline compound concentrations in the product gas, which reduces the efforts for gas cleaning, an integrated gas cleaning approach for dust and HCl removal, desulphurisation and tar cracking as well as a SOFC system which tolerates certain amounts of tars as fuel. It is expected to achieve at the end of the project a TRL of 5. The objectives of the project are highly relevant to the work programme since they focus on the development of a micro-scale CHP technology with extended fuel flexibility which shall be cost efficient and robust and shall distinguish itself by high electric and overall efficiencies as well as almost zero emissions. To fulfil these goals an overall methodology shall be applied which is divided into a technology development part (based on process simulations, computer aided design of the single units and the overall system, test plant construction, performance and evaluation of test runs, risk and safety analysis) as well as a technology assessment part covering risk, techno-economic, environmental and overall impact assessments, market studies regarding the possible potentials for application of the new technology as well as dissemination activities.