Report
Teaser, summary, work performed and final results
Periodic Reporting for period 1 - USELA (Useful energy from contaminated landfill gas)
Teaser
In this phase 1 SME-instrument project we have performed 8 tasks including mapping of landfills in Europe, investigating partners for phase 2 and 3, a user survey, a risk analysis, preparations for an EPD, elaboration of an innovation strategy as well as the European dimension...
Summary
In this phase 1 SME-instrument project we have performed 8 tasks including mapping of landfills in Europe, investigating partners for phase 2 and 3, a user survey, a risk analysis, preparations for an EPD, elaboration of an innovation strategy as well as the European dimension and finally summarized the findings in a business innovation plan. Firstly, we have found reasons to pursue the development of our innovation through demonstration activities together with clients suitable for a phase 2 application under the SME-instrument. We have received a better knowledge of landfills in Europe that flare landfill gas and we have identified locations for demonstration activities that represent challenges to the technology and business cases. We have found the parameters to measure in phase 2 through the risk analysis. The life cycle analysis performed has created a much better understanding of the environmental benefits of the innovation and the benefits are much better than anticipated. The fastest environmental pay-off of an investment in our innovation would take place within a country where there is low degree of green electricity available. Economic pay-off will be faster where electricity prices are high and where there is a demand for both electricity and heat produced. We have reached a better understanding of how to comply with legal requirements in Europe (e.g. the eco design directive) as well as relevant standards. The European dimension and barriers for market introduction have been clarified and e.g. the importance of financing measures promoting the initial investment in Cleanergy’s innovation. Through phase 1 we have started to work in a focused way on the innovation climate and strategy of Cleanergy and started a discussion on efficient innovation driven product development within the company.
Work performed
Task 1 Mapping of landfills
Landfills in 11 European countries have been mapped during phase 1. We were looking for landfills with different technical challenges i.e. low methane level – down to 18 %, landfill off-grid, landfill located on high altitudes, landfill with 100% heat recovery, landfill with dry conditions vs moist conditions and landfill with engines with many starts and stops. 7 potential landfill sites have been indentified.
Task 2 Investigation of potential partners
We have identified the knowledge partners during phase 1 that will be important for phase 2.
Task 3 User survey
We have performed a market survey in order to find out how many landfill sites in Europe that have equipment for gas collection and which landfills flares the landfill gas. The landfills who flare the gas are the primary target group in phase 3.
Task 4 Risk analysis
A risk analysis have been performed to secure the measurement values and methods to be used in the demonstration phase to provide valid results. The risk analysis also validated the risk for durability of components and liability of operation.
Task 5 Preparation of an environmental production declaration
Energy production is generally associated with environmental impacts in terms of various aspects, but the most commonly communicated are energy values, effect on climate change and renewable resources. Since the innovation is believed to have a highly positive environmental impact it is of great interest to be able to describe the environmental benefits in a standardized and recognized way. We trust the International EPD® System to be adequate.
Task 6 Elaboration of an innovation strategy
During phase 1 we have worked with the elaboration of the innovation strategy together with the Swedish Institute of Computer Science - SICS Swedish ICT (SICS). The overall theme of the work with SICS has been on the innovation climate of Cleanergy. In a feasibility study performed in February 2015 a digital enquiry has been implemented where 69 individuals from Cleanergy were invited to participate. 57 persons responded to the enquiry. Hence, we have reference values for phase 2 concerning the innovation climate of Cleanergy.
Task 7 Elaboration of the European dimension
The European dimension in the innovation may be seen as multidimensional and include useful energy production of low grade landfill gas, to make use of results from other projects financed by EU, an increased innovation potential and comliance with European legislation in terms of CE-marking
Final results
1. Did you benefit from coaching activities? YES
If yes please rate its usefulness on a scale from 1 to 10 (1=low; 10=high) 7
2. Will you pursue the project idea? YES
2.b. If yes, what source of finance do you intend to use?
Please tick the appropriate item from the drop list:
• SME instrument phase 2: Yes
• Own resources: Yes
3. What are the main results of the grant?
Please rank the following items on a scale from 1 to 10 (1=no progress; 10 = most progresses) according to the importance of the progresses made:
Better understanding of clients\' needs 7
Better knowledge about competitors 8
Better understanding of IPR issues 5
Better understanding of technical issues 4
Better internal work organisation 1
Better knowledge about marketing methods 3
More strategic approach in change management 2
More strategic approach for identifying risks and risk management 6
Increased reputation/visibility of the company 9
Better relation with local business support organisations 10
Website & more info
More info: http://www.cleanergy.com.