Education & Research Equipment: DE-HyPES System
DE-HyPES System: Versatile Didactic & Experimental Test Setup
The DE-HyPES System is a versatile laboratory test bench designed to support engineering training and research activities related to energy storage & management solutions mainly based on Compressed Air. This system in based on the innovative Co-rotating Scroll Air Compression / Expansion technology developed by Enairys Powertech and its academic partners.
The DE-HyPES allows students and researchers in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering and Energy Engineering to easily perform a variety of experiments during their practical laboratory work or their academic and research projects.
The DE-HyPES basically consists of two main parts as can be seen on the picture below:
- A power conversion and management unit (1), integrated into a welded frame or made of aluminium profiles, which converts electrical energy into pneumatic and thermal energies, and vice versa. It ensures the proper interface of various electrical sources and loads (local grid, electric load, renewable source, etc.) and manages the energy flows between them. This unit is equipped with more than 25 sensors and transducers to precisely monitor the conversion and management processes.
The electric power conditioning & management subsystem is enclosed in an electrical cabinet (1a). It includes 2 main modules:
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- A 4-quadrant electrical drive, driving the co-rotating scroll compressor/motor
- A PLC based industrial automation module performing the system command and control, as well as measurements acquisition and the communication with users.
This subsystem can also include 3 optional modules:
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- A DC-DC converter to interface a rooftop photovoltaic source or a Solar Array Simulator (SAS).
- An auxiliary storage unit based on a Supercapacitors Bank
- A visual user interface (Monitor, Touch Screen) for monitoring and/or controlling of the test setup.
- A buffer storage unit (2), consisting of a compressed air buffer tank (2a), and a buffer heat storage tank in the form of hot water. This buffer storage unit must be connected to a pneumatic source/load (compressed air network, air compressor, etc.) and a thermal source/load (heating and/or cooling application) ensuring the long-term storage.
Services and Support:
The DE-HyPES includes an intuitive and easy to use software with a user-friendly interface on the laboratory PC or on a touch screen monitor. It is delivered with a detailed user manual containing many experimental examples and step-by-step guiding instructions. The delivery service includes the training of a Test Setup Operator and a long-term technical support provided remotely through visio-conference or on site.
Main technical specifications
- Electrical Source / Load: 3-phase 3x400V, 16A max
- Photovoltaic source (or SAS): 200V DC max, 4kWp
- Super Capacitors auxiliary storage: 200V DC max, 4kW max
- Compressed air buffer thank: ~250 litres, 7bar nominal
- Thermal buffer tank: ~300litres, 60°C nominal
- 25+ Sensors & transducers: Pressures, temperatures, torc, speed, humidities, flow rates, electrical powers…
Key Features
- Testing & experimentation of physical processes (Gas compression, gas expansion, heat transfer) and technics (Fluid machinery, electrical drive, industrial automation), underlying distributed CAES technology.
- Testing & evaluation of Distributed CAES technology applied to renewable energy storage and management.
- Testing & evaluation of Supercapacitors auxiliary storage applied to renewable power management
- Freely programmable multivariant operation
- User friendly software and interface on Workstation or touchscreen.
- Live or delayed measurements data logging on workstation, or remote database via Wi-Fi or LAN
Main customers’ benefits
Versatile test setup suitable for teaching and research purposes
Multiple areas of experimentation: Mechatronics, Heat Transfer, Industrial automation, energy storage and management.
Effective learning through emulation of real operating conditions of renewable energy applications.
Innovative and environmentally friendly energy storage & management technologies.
Easy to use, flexible and evolutive didactic and experimental tool.
Cost saving solution (8 test benches in one).
More information on the applications of DE-HyPES system can be found here