SITUATION
- Global urgency to reduce carbon emissions and achieve net-zero targets by 2050
- Industrial waste heat recovery represents a significant untapped energy resource
- Conventional power cycles face efficiency limitations and scaling challenges
- Supercritical CO2 (sCO2) power cycles offer promising advantages but face technical hurdles for commercialization
- Cross-border, multi-institutional collaboration was needed to address complex engineering challenges
- The UK EPSRC-funded SCOTWOHR project at City University had made progress but broader European collaboration was required
Supercritical CO2 Power Cycles: The Next Generation Technology
Supercritical CO2 power cycles leverage the unique properties of carbon dioxide above its critical point (73.9 bar, 31.1°C) to achieve higher efficiencies than conventional steam cycles. These systems offer compact footprints (1/10th the size of steam systems), higher thermal efficiency (potentially 50% vs. 35% for steam), lower water usage, and rapid response to load changes - making them ideal for renewable energy integration and industrial waste heat recovery.
TASK
- Develop a comprehensive European research initiative to advance sCO2 technology towards commercialization
- Create a compelling Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action proposal for an Industrial PhD project network
- Build a consortium of leading academic institutions and industrial partners across Europe
- Connect diverse expertise spanning materials science, turbomachinery, heat transfer, and system integration
- Structure a program that would train the next generation of researchers while delivering technological breakthroughs
- Integrate the work from the UK-focused SCOTWOHR project into a broader European framework
Academic Partners
- Universidad de Sevilla (Coordinator)
- City, University of London
- Instituto Superior Técnico
- University of Stuttgart
- Politecnico di Milano
- Technische Universität Wien
- Czech Technical University in Prague
Industrial Partners
- Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie (Baker Hughes)
- Fives Cryo
- Energy and Turbomachinery Network
- Empresarios Agrupados Internacional
- Siemens Energy
- Softinway Switzerland
- Doosan Škoda Power
ACTION
- Galvanized the team at City University to develop the European Horizon Research program proposal
- Leveraged the success and findings from the SCOTWOHR project to establish credibility with potential partners
- Initiated and maintained communications with over 15 academic and industrial organizations across Europe
- Facilitated workshops and planning sessions to define research objectives and work packages
- Developed a comprehensive research framework addressing key technical challenges in sCO2 technology:
- System integration and component optimization
- Transient operation simulation and control strategies
- Advanced materials and manufacturing techniques
- Aerodynamic and mechanical performance improvements
- Structured the proposal to support 15 doctoral researchers across multiple institutions
- Aligned project outcomes with EU's 2050 zero emissions targets and renewable energy integration goals
- Connected technical research with commercial implementation pathways
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Environmental Impact
Advancing technologies that support the EU's net-zero emission goals for 2050
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Waste Heat Recovery
Converting industrial waste heat into valuable energy resources
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Knowledge Transfer
Training 15 doctoral researchers to become industry leaders
RESULTS
- Successfully secured €4 million in funding through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action proposal
- Established the "Innovation in Supercritical CO2 Power generation systems" (iSOP) network comprising 9 higher education institutions and leading energy industries across Europe
- Created 15 Industrial PhD positions to advance research in next-generation energy technology
- Built a sustainable framework for knowledge exchange between academia and industry
- Positioned European institutions at the forefront of sCO2 technology development
- Connected UK-based research (through City University) with broader European initiatives despite Brexit challenges
- Created a pathway for technical innovations to reach commercial implementation
- Established a research agenda aligned with renewable energy integration and industrial decarbonization
"By building bridges between academic institutions and industry partners across Europe, I helped secure €4 million in funding for research that will advance next-generation energy technology and support the EU's net-zero emission goals."