Energy-intensive industry faces a major transition. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels requires new ways of producing, storing and using energy. Now, Lund University and Chalmers University of Technology are joining forces with leading industrial companies to reduce emissions from energy-intensive industry and accelerate the transition to fossil-free energy systems.
Fredrik Normann, Chalmers University of Technology, Andreas Ehn, Lund University, Klas Andersson, Chalmers University of Technology, and Joakim Bood, Lund University. (Photo: Johan Lindskoug)
This is the starting point for RESTORE, the Resilient and Sustainable Thermal Energy Conversion Centre, a new research centre led by Lund University in close collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology. Researchers and industry partners will work together to develop knowledge and technology that can accelerate the introduction of electrification, new fuels and thermal energy solutions in industry. This will be achieved without compromising operational reliability, energy supply or competitiveness.
“The transition requires solutions that work under real-world conditions. We need to understand how new fuels and energy solutions can be used in industrial processes without compromising on safety, stability or performance,” says Joakim Bood, professor in the Division of Combustion Physics at the Faculty of Engineering (LTH) and centre director of RESTORE.
A key ambition is to create a coherent chain from basic research to industrial application. The work is based on two closely linked research platforms, one at Lund University and one at Chalmers University of Technology.
Linking cutting-edge research with industrial application
The researchers contribute expertise in areas including energy conversion, combustion and transport processes, safety, modelling and advanced measurement methods. Together, they have access to extensive experimental resources through the laser laboratory at Lund University and the Chalmers Power Central facility, located on Campus at Chalmers University of Technology.
Chalmers has developed unique cutting-edge expertise in both plasma and hydrogen-based high-temperature processes, largely thanks to the experimental infrastructure at the recently rebuilt and upgraded Power Central at Chalmers.
“One of the centre’s strengths is that we can link cutting-edge research with industrial application. We can conduct experimental research at all scales, from laboratory to pilot and on to industrial scale. Through collaboration with industry, we can shorten the path from new research findings to technical solutions that make a real difference,” says Klas Andersson, professor at Chalmers University of Technology and deputy centre director for RESTORE.
The research within RESTORE has applications in heavy and manufacturing industries, ranging from minerals and ores to speciality glass, and the competence centre provides a strong platform for further developing cutting-edge research and transferring knowledge to Swedish industry. Underpinning this work is extensive expertise in combustion, which provides the basis for today’s energy and material conversion processes.
“Achieving a sustainable transformation of today’s energy use will require cutting-edge expertise in both existing and new systems. Chalmers has a key role to play here,” says Klas Andersson.
Close collaboration with industry is key
Close collaboration with industry is a cornerstone of the initiative. The aim is to provide companies with better conditions to reduce their emissions whilst ensuring that production remains stable and competitive. The centre will also help train the next generation of researchers and engineers in sustainable thermal energy conversion.
The researchers are already working in several areas that can lead to concrete reductions in emissions. These include developing hydrogen-powered gas turbines with very low nitrogen oxide emissions, enabling the use of hydrogen in iron and steel industry processes instead of coal, and developing catalytic combustion for hydrogen with reduced pollutant emissions.
Fact Box: RESTORE
RESTORE brings together researchers from Lund University, Chalmers University of Technology, the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) and international partners, including DTU in Denmark, NTNU in Norway, and research centres in Germany, Italy and North America. The initiative is planned to run for up to ten years and will serve as a long-term platform for research and innovation.
RESTORE stands for Resilient and Sustainable Thermal Energy Conversion Centre.
Aim: To develop knowledge and technology for fossil-free, robust and competitive energy use within energy-intensive industry.
Management
Joakim Bood, Professor, Lund University (Centre Director)
Klas Andersson, Professor, Chalmers University of Technology (Deputy Centre Director)
Andreas Ehn, Senior Lecturer, Lund University (Deputy Centre Director)
The centre’s activities are conducted in close collaboration with industry and society, focusing on heavy industry, energy and transport, advanced diagnostics and analysis, and safety and preparedness.
Funding
The Swedish Energy Agency has granted SEK 67 million for RESTORE’s first five years. This funding covers one-third of the centre’s operations. The remaining funding comes from participating academic institutions, research institutes and industry partners through research, education, financial contributions and in-kind contributions. The programme is planned to run for up to ten years.
Contact:
Klas Andersson
- Full Professor, Energy Technology, Environmental and Energy Sciences
Klas Andersson
- Full Professor, Energy Technology, Environmental and Energy Sciences
Fredrik Normann
- Professor, Energy Technology, Environmental and Energy Sciences
Fredrik Normann
- Professor, Energy Technology, Environmental and Energy Sciences