Castor bio-based aviation fuel

Tianjin Castor Energy has developed the castor bio-based aviation fuel. The technique can produce high bio-aviation fuel yields by hydrodeoxygenation , hydro-cracking and hydro-isomerization reaction, and the properties meet the standards ASTM D7566. Moreover, the products do not contain sulfur, phosphorus and heavy metal. The company claims that the cleanliness and low-temperature fluidity of the bio-aviation fuel are superior to those of petroleum-based aviation fuels. The raw material supply is wildly available making it one of the most cost-efficient bio-based aviation fuels so far.

China

≈10

Active acoustic spectroscopy

The Active Acoustic Spectroscopy is a device that can measure different parameters, such as e.g. density and viscosity, in different flowing matters in pipes. This is done by analysing how the acoustics in a pipe is affected by the flowing matters. With the help of this, data analysis can be done to optimise production processes within industries. Analysis optimisations may increase e.g. material yield or energy output. The Active Acoustic Spectroscopy can be used in different industries, but the focus market is pulp and paper industries to begin with.

Sweden

≈10

Environmental intelligence for healthy cities 

Green Urban Data produces software that monitors and measures temperature at the neighbourhood level, locating the most vulnerable areas and offering recommendations for action to stabilize the temperature in those areas. Their innovation aims to counteract the effects of temperature on the health and economy of a city, using software as a service (SaaS) to adapt a city to the effects of temperature variations. Possible uses are for the interconnectivity of green urban areas, the design of protocols to act against heat waves, and the planning and design of green infrastructure.

Spain

≈10

Efficient solar modules for electric vehicles

Sharp Corporation have developed a solar module with one of the world’s highest conversion efficiencies, which enables on-vehicle charging for electric vehicles (EVs) to increase their range without frequent plug-in battery charging. A triple-junction compound was used to capture a wider range of the spectrum of sunlight, leading to a conversion efficiency for a solar module of 31.17% for 968 cm². With such a high rate of efficiency, the modules can be integrated into EV design and have an impact on energy generation.

Japan

≈10

Identification of heat leakage in large buildings using drone-based 3D models

Spotscale AB provides high-quality and individually adapted 3D mappings with thermal scans of providing owners of building envelopes of large buildings, helping owners to save energy through rapid identification of heat leaks. This is done using drones and reconstruction algorithms tailored towards building and urban environments. The products can be delivered to be used in a range of modern devices, including AR and VR. The analysis is more efficienct and accurate than traditional means of aerial surveying.

Sweden

≈10

Spinning cylinder for wind power of vessels

Windjammers were a class of sailing vessels built from the 1870s to 1900. As engine technology developed, they were slowly phased out and replaced by steamships which were faster and could stay on schedule regardless of wind conditions. The idea behind Norsepower’s Rotor Sail Solution is to develop a spinning cylinder that harnesses wind power to generate the thrust needed to propel modern vessels. When conditions are favorable, the Norsepower Rotor Sails allow the main engines to be throttled back, saving fuel and reducing emissions while providing the power needed to maintain speed and voyage time.

Finland

≈10

Battery-swapping service for two-wheeler EV users

Batterypool offers a battery-swapping service for users of two-wheeler electric vehicles (EVs). The company claims that using this app-enabled swapping service, users will have their two-wheel EV fully charged in under 1 minute, compared to 4 hours with plug-in charging. They further claim that their solution also makes owning a two-wheeler EV 30 % cheaper than its petrol counterpart. The battery swapping service is enabled by patent-pending swap station hardware, product design, a small business retail model and an Internet-of-Things layer. With this solution, the intention is to drive the mass adoption of electric mobility among two-wheelers.

India

≈10

Smart air dome space for recreation facilities

Traditional recreational facilities are costly to build and to operate. The Air Dome saves on construction time and cost. Due to the airtight feature and high efficiency insulation system, the MetaSpace Air Dome could save 2/3 of the energy cost compared with conventional sports facilities of the same size. MetaSpace Air Dome uses high performance architectural fabric as the dome’s “shell”. This is prefabricated off-site, and then assembled and inflated by an intelligent mechanical unit to form the envelope of the structure. The Air Dome combines advances in aeromechanics, new materials, ergonomics, energy saving and environmental protection to provide space for recreational facilities, logistic and warehousing centers.

China

≈10

Power bank ZNBR flow battery for grid storage

Zbest Power Co. Ltd, has developed an innovative solution to renewable energy storage which they have called ‘Power Bank’. The company has developed a zinc-bromine flow battery, an emerging technology that provides a viable energy storage option for the fast-growing renewable energy market. Part of the solution also includes capability for developing key components and materials for the zinc-bromine flow battery including bipolar electrodes, membranes, electrolytes and flow frames, which could reduce the cost of the battery to half current levels.

China

≈10

Modular solar system and DC micro-grid for off-grid applications

SolarWorXUG has developed a modular solar solution for households and small businesses in off-grid areas. Each system can accommodate a 80 Wh or 160 Wh battery and two 50 W solar panels. Individual systems can be interconnected with their DC micro-grid modules so that energy-intense appliances, such as milling machines, can be powered and the security of supply for each connected household is increased. The introduction of solar power can lower the dependency on diesel fueled generators in remote areas.

Germany

≈10