Operation & Maintenance of Power Plants
Subsidies: a platform for innovation
Femke Schaefer and G Bertels consider results from the Dutch Economic Subsidy Programme concerning innovation and energy.
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n recent years, Dutch subsidy policy has been targeted intensively at the theme of innovation and energy via its subsidiary, ‘Agentschap NL.’ In 2010, the policy was converted into a ‘green deal’ approach, with the government becoming
more indirectly involved. Te integration of the themes of energy and innovation has however very much remained the goal of the approach. Subsidies were previously allocated primarily through a ‘tender set-up’, using a weighted evaluation system; a kind of innovation contest. In 2005/2006, Bronswerk Heat Transfer reached two top places in this system with its RADIAX- compact pumps, compressors and turbines and the Whizz-Wheel industrial fan projects. Both are innovation-intensive novelties for two energy usage fields which account for around 50 per cent of all electricity worldwide. Te potential energy savings for both projects could make a very significant contribution to worldwide CO2
reductions, but will
certainly enable an extensive range of equipment relating to heating, cooling and industrial process improvements to function more effectively. Te new fans that were developed with the
support of the subsidies consume 50 per cent less energy and are also 6dBA quieter; they are applicable in a wide range of markets. Te RADIAX ultra compact compressor can achieve savings of seventy to 80 per cent in heat recovery processes.
Target markets Te target markets for the two energy-saving products and technologies are oil/gas, refrigeration technology, air conditioning, computers (and data centres and servers in particular), domestic appliances, car cooling systems and ventilation, electric motors, and boiler superchargers. Equipment in these markets often needs to last for decades, which is why the markets are often hesitant when it comes to highly innovative technologies: they have to be reliable, long-lasting, and capable of integration with existing equipment. In the past five years, however, companies have
been increasingly active in adopting new technology that saves energy while respecting the environment, all based on a sustainability philosophy. Another important reason for their doing so is
the growing realisation that selectively implementing energy-saving equipment can help deliver a better process economy. For example, an ever-greater number of companies aim to see the costs of their investment
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repaid within around five years, which amounts to a return on investment of about 20 per cent. Te major energy companies seek to achieve
repayment within 10 years (which is still a return of 10 per cent). Te support of the government/‘Agentschap NL’, through energy and environment covenants, creates a stronger platform for the introduction of breakthrough innovations - pioneering technologies that can bring about significant changes in organisations, and for which a strong entrepreneurial and investment-minded company attitude is required.
Te business-outlook has become more favourable thanks to this change of policy, but the current uncertain financial climate is markedly making it more difficult to secure financing for projects. However, in many markets there are companies with very healthy cash flows, which are not particularly dependent on banks or their government. Offering customers convincing financial and technological benefits means it is easier for them to make decisions based on sustainability. Even the most conservative markets are now coming round to this well-founded philosophy.
Fan technology More than two years after the market introduction of the new fans, there has been a worldwide response and intensive interest from the very markets and geographical areas that were not directly approached. Te basis for this interest appears to be the outstanding performance of the systems in practice, about which information has now found its way onto the internet. Tere is no stopping the worldwide flow of information on the almost unbelievable performance: a 50 per cent reduction in energy consumption, noise levels that are 6dBA lower than the quietest existing fans, in addition to which the fans are much more compact, lighter, and produce a 50 per cent smaller carbon footprint. Tere already are a significant number of licensing partnerships that account for a major proportion of the markets in which the new fans could be used. Te licensing partners can see the real prospect of ‘game-changing’ fan technology. Huge amounts of energy can be saved every year, and much more quickly than previously envisaged.
Hybrid flow machines Processes for which pumps, compressors and turbines are used almost by definition involve highly complex systems for handling a wide range of liquids, gases and
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