Renewable Energy

Increasing reliability

Laborelec’s Renewable Energy Research Program is partially dedicated to maximizing wind turbine efficiency and optimizing their maintenance. Our research also covers selected topics in solar energy, ocean power, and biofuels.

Wind turbines: maximizing efficiency

A key research focus is the maximization of wind turbine production through:

• Better forecasting. Improving the accuracy of short-term wind prediction models.
• Improved performance. Investigating advanced performance assessment technologies, the impact of wake and turbulence, anti-icing systems, anticipative lightning detection technologies, advanced noise and shadow stop control, efficient tools for grid interaction and ride-through faults, etc.

Wind turbines: optimizing maintenance

Laborelec conducts research that supports the development of optimal maintenance strategies by:

• Characterizing the structural mechanical behaviour of key components, such as shaft, generator, and tower, under varying operating conditions.
  Early fault detection through advanced condition monitoring
• Consolidating return on experience in order to benchmark components and sub-technologies

Solar: further reducing business risks

Our experts work on selected topics in the field of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology:

• Performance assessment of thin film technologies at our test bench in Belgium
• Ageing characterization in order to reduce business uncertainties

In addition, Laborelec closely tracks innovations in solar power technology, including Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and concentrated photovoltaics. 

Ocean power

Laborelec also participates in various marine power research projects, essentially wave and tidal energy.

Biofuels

We are actively researching the potential of various types of biofuels:

• Assessing the potential of micro-algae in energy generation and pollution remediation. We are actively involved in the European EnAlgae Project.
• Optimizing the use of biogas for energy generation. Laborelec participates in the Optibiogaz Project of INTERREG IV.
• Comparing gasification techniques. A key research project in this field is the Biovive Project, in which we take part together with the French National Research Agency (ANR).

We are also investigating the firing of 100% biomass or co-firing various mixtures of coal and biomass blends.

Contact

For more information, contact us.