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ENERGIX-Stort program energi

AEOLUS+ New generation digital wood stoves

Alternative title: AEOLUS+ Ny generasjon digitale vedovner

Awarded: NOK 10.5 mill.

Project Manager:

Project Number:

309966

Project Period:

2020 - 2022

Funding received from:

Organisation:

Partner countries:

The ability for small and medium-sized enterprises to stay high-tech in advance is an important prerequisite for coping with a tough international market. It is crucial for smaller Norwegian industrial companies to catch-up with European industry in offering high-tech products that both enhance the user experience and reduce climate and health issues related to emissions from small-scale fireplaces. In Norway, around 14% of the heat demand is covered by wood burning and the particle emissions correspond to approximately the same amount as from the transport sector. Due to the current energy crisis in Europe, there is a high probability of persistently high electricity prices over several years, both nationally and in Europe, which has led to an explosive growth in wood consumption and sales of new stoves. From 2020-2022 alone, Norway had a growth in consumption of around 1 TWh, about 20% increase. It is then important that manufacturers of wood stoves can offer state-of-the-art technology as quickly as possible. A typical cast-iron stove usually has a lifespan of 20 years, which results in a constant characteristic climate footprint over the same period. It is therefore important that all new products sold on the market have as low a climate footprint as possible. Two ways to solve this are new revolutionary technology or automation of existing ones, where the former does not exist as of today. In the AEOLUS+ project, it was agreed to invest in automation of existing technology, where we know that the gain is certainly high. The advantages of automation are that a) incorrect manual use is eliminated b) high heating comfort c) higher efficiency (5-10%) d) Emissions of greenhouse gases and particles always at a minimal level in relation to what the technology can provide. During the project period of 2 ½ years, SINTEF/INVENTAS/Flow Design Burå/Poujoulat SA, together with industrial partners Jøtul AS and Norsk Kleber AS, have arrived at a working solution mainly based on research work, with the result that we now have a working industrial solution. The automatic control system is immediately taken forward separately, by both industrial partners, for the fastest possible commercialization.

Estimated number of old wood stoves (Statistics Norway): 470 000 Strong national and local incentives with financial support to replace most old stoves within the next 10 yrs. (average price of modern/automated stove est. to 15 000/25 000 NOK) -> 7 billion NOK -> 1/3 are replaced with automated stoves -> +2 billion NOK -> 1/3 of the yearly stove sales are automated -> +0.3 billion NOK Norwegian authorities have estimated the savings in healthcare with measures to reduce emissions. Of the proposed measures with the highest impacts both for public health and for the environment, is one which stimulates the replacement of older (-1998) wood stoves. Using the official value factor of 750 NOK/kg of emitted PM: Old stoves replaced by modern ones: -> 60% emission reduction -> 10 billion NOK in accumulated healthcare savings Old stoves replaced by modern ones, of which 1/3 are automated (using 50% less wood) -> 80% emission reduction -> +3 billion NOK in accumulated healthcare savings

The current project proposal comes from a direct request from the leading Norwegian wood stove industry, organized as a cross-collaboration between the wood stove manufacturers: JØTUL AS and NORSK KLEBER AS, the European leader in chimney solutions POUJOULAT SA (France), the technology development companies FLOW DESIGN BUREAU AS and INVENTAS AS, highly qualified in industrial product development and SINTEF ENERGY RESEARCH, highly renowned within research on small-scale biomass combustion and wood stoves. The aim of this industrial constellation is to finalize (industry-ready) an affordable automated air distribution unit for wood stove combustion air, which guarantees the highest achievable thermal efficiency and lowest emissions of particulate matter (PM) and others pollutant gases. AEOLUS+'s project results will provide the industry partners with the necessary means to commercialize a final product by the end of 2022. The planned product, an automated sensor-driven air distribution system, is intended to become a key component of new high-volume stove models. The product will harvest energy from the wood stoves through Peltier thermoelectric element to run off-grid. Wireless capabilities will enable the users to select control set-points via mobile app. This feature will enable the wood stoves to enter the digital era and the internet of things, since performance data, remote diagnostics and live updates could be exchanged between a central server and product users via the mobile app. It is also anticipated that not only new models but also existing popular high-volume stove models can be equipped with the new system. The compatibility between the digital air distribution system and complementary products such heat storage, hot air distribution to other rooms and zero-indoor emission features will also be in focus. These products are expected to be key components of tomorrow's wood stoves becoming a primary heat source in buildings.

Funding scheme:

ENERGIX-Stort program energi

Thematic Areas and Topics

FNs BærekraftsmålMål 11 Bærekraftig byer og samfunnUtviklingsarbeidIKT forskningsområdeVisualisering og brukergrensesnittLTP3 Høy kvalitet og tilgjengelighetLTP3 ForskningsinfrastrukturDelportefølje InfrastrukturForskningsinfrastrukturLTP3 Nano-, bioteknologi og teknologikonvergensNanoteknologi/avanserte materialerAvanserte materialerFNs BærekraftsmålMål 12 Ansvarlig forbruk og produksjonNanoteknologi/avanserte materialerLTP3 Uttesting og kommersialisering av FoUIKT forskningsområdeSmarte komponenterFNs BærekraftsmålMål 3 God helseBransjer og næringerSkog og trebrukPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderMiljø, klima og naturforvaltningPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderSkog, landbruk og matIKT forskningsområdeProgramvarer og tjenesterIKT forskningsområdeKommunikasjonsteknologiAnvendt forskningBransjer og næringerEnergi - NæringsområdePortefølje ForskningssystemetLTP3 IKT og digital transformasjonBransjer og næringerBransjer og næringerVareproduserende industriVerifisering, pilotering, demonstrasjon (ny fra 2014)LTP3 Miljøvennlig energi og lavutslippsløsningerLavutslippFNs BærekraftsmålFNs BærekraftsmålMål 7 Ren energi for alleLTP3 Muliggjørende og industrielle teknologierLTP3 Et kunnskapsintensivt næringsliv i hele landetKlimarelevant forskningIKT forskningsområdeLTP3 Styrket konkurransekraft og innovasjonsevneLTP3 Klima, miljø og energiMiljøvennlig energiPortefølje Muliggjørende teknologierMiljøvennlig energiFornybar energi, bioPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderEnergi - Politikk og forvaltningPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderPortefølje InnovasjonPortefølje Energi og transportPortefølje Mat og bioressurser