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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CALORIC (The Smart Thermostat with Heating Power Adjustment)

Teaser

Summary

In EU households, heating and hot water alone account for 79% of total final energy use (192.5 Mtoe). This is 15% of the global energy consumption almost as much as the electricity global consumption (20%). 84% of heating and cooling is still generated from fossil fuels while only 16% is generated from renewable energy (mainly biofuels). In order to fulfill the EUâ€™s climate and energy goals, the heating and cooling sector must sharply reduce its energy consumption and cut its use of fossil fuels.
The building sector in the EU is the largest single energy consumer in Europe, with a total floor area of 28 billion m2, almost equal to the land area of Belgium, absorbing 40% of final energy: however about 75% of buildings are energy inefficient, and, depending on the Member State, only 0.4-1.2% of the stock is renovated each year. An essential part of Europe\'s clean energy transition is the changing role of buildings from energy consumers to actively controlling and optimizing indoor environment while contributing to energy system flexibility.
According to the International Energy Agency, energy efficiency measures have the potential to deliver two-thirds of the energy-related CO2 emissions reductions needed to achieve climate protection. Cutting the energy consumed by heating in buildings can be achieved through scaling up the use of advanced construction and design techniques and high-performance insulation materials when renovating buildings. Energy can also be saved by upgrading heating and cooling equipment such as boilers to the latest, most efficient technologies. Other renewable heating and cooling technologies such as biomass boilers and solar heating systems cut the use of fossil fuels. Energy use can also be cut by providing better information and control of energy use with intelligent thermostats.
CALORIC operation is based on the fact that Hydronic heating systems, transfer the majority of their heat by thermal radiation reducing air temperature stratification, and thus reduce heat loss through ceilings. Comfort can often be maintained at lower air temperatures and most importantly with lower radiator temperature when space is radiantly heated. This leads to increased energy savings while the heating comfort remains in high levels.
CALORIC characteristics are its simplicity with minimum user intervention, the ability to adjust the Heating power to the exact heating need, The clear indication of the consumption in hours of heating usage and the ability to detect problems in the heating system.
Based on the market as well as the technical findings we can conclude that CALORIC offers the best solution to reduce the Heating consumption with the smallest investment, the easiest and fastest installation. Considering that 90% of the buildings in Europe are equipped with Hydronic heating systems (with hot water radiators) the impact of the use of CALORIC in increasing the efficiency and reduce the use of fossil fuels in heating, could be comparable to the impact of all the photovoltaics and wind turbines installations combined, in electricity demand.

CALORICâ€™s main goals throughout the project (Feasibility Study) are the following:

â€¢ On the technical side, based on the prototype (TRL 6) advance to TRL 8.
â€¢ On the commercial and financial side, we developed a business strategy aiming at supporting both the sustainability and the market replication of CALORIC, to be further accomplished in Phase 2 of the SME Instrument. In Phase 1, the best suppliers of raw materials, the market size, the competitive background and the threats/opportunities for entering the market were analyzed. It leads to a specific definition of the market penetration strategy and CALORICâ€™s business model. CALORIC also addressed the following objectives: identification of the regulatory requirements of the product and setup of a strategy for intellectual property management.

Work performed

All the actions and tasks included in the Working Plan have been completed according to the
specifications included in the Working Plan.
An elaborated business plan for the introduction of its innovative solution on the market has been developed that includes the following: Executive Summary, Business Description, Industry Background, Competitive Analysis, Management Summary, Operations Plan, Marketing Plan, SWOT Analysis, Financial Plan, Alternative Plans, Financial Data, and the References.
The business plan is based on the findings of the market research, in the EU, USA and other countries that was also an action included in the Working Plan. The market research was made according to the specifications included in the Working Plan.
On the technical side a detailed Feasibility Study has been developed according to the specifications included in the Working Plan and includes the following :
a) Assessment of the data collected from CALORIC installations in real house and apartment heating systems, during the period of the project (winter 2018-2019).
b) Analysis of the CE regulatory requirements and development of the conformity declaration.
c) Market research on the essential raw materials and components available either on the local market or through online international orders. Also the availability of the raw materials, as well as the market opportunity, was investigated through contacts we had worldwide (European and Latin America Technology-based Business Network, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, MIT University , the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in consortium with JSC â€œInformational-Analytical Center of Oil and Gas and the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation â€).

A new design on the enclosure has been developed inhouse, using 3D printing together with the technical study on the existing prototype and how it could be improved cost and performance wise with the use of new microprocessors have been developed inside the company.
All the actions and results are related. For example, the new designs are based on the prototype and the technical study but also must satisfy the financial limitations and the business model design of the business plan.
As a result, a viable Business Plan and detailed feasibility study have been developed that can attract the interest of companies willing to cooperate in order to bring the CALORIC in the market soon and secure a big global market share.

LIGHTHEAT P.C. was invited (and participated) from Euroquity in Vienna (November 2018) to present itâ€™s innovations to investors. Also has been invited (and participated) from the Greek Ministry of Digital policy in the Exhibition Aquatherm in Athens (February 2019) to present its innovations. Finally LIGHTHEAT P.C. is invited (will take part) in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hague (3-5 June) to communicate with hundreds of investors and entrepreneurs from all over the world. LIGHTHEAT P.C. participates in high level events several times per year.

Final results

After the completion of HORIZON2020 SME Instrument Phase I, LIGHTHEAT P.C. has the tools (Business Plan and Feasibility Study) to create international cooperations towards the commercialization of the CALORIC in the following two years. Already during the action, the company had worldwide contacts (Euroquity, Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2019), that would be difficult to have without the support and recognition of HORIZON2020, as well as the actions and tasks prepared in the Phase 1 period.
CALORIC has been advance in TRL 8 and now is much closer to market with better chances to attract the international interest to succeed in its commercialization.
With an affordable price with a very short payback period households as well as professionals have a very strong tool, that with itâ€™s unique techniques and characteristics will contribute to reduce the heating costs and use of fossil fuels, mitigate climate change, improve energy poverty and contribute to cleaner air inside the cities much better than other solutions.