A400 on the way to Norway to use syngas and hydrogen

A400 leaving the Lappeenranta factory.

An Aurelia® A400 unit destined for the ROBINSON research project has been shipped out from Aurelia’s factory in Lappeenranta to the Eigerøy island in Norway. The research project is taking advantage of A400’s fuel flexibility. The turbines can use syngas, hydrogen, biogas, other renewable and non-standard fuels as well as standard fuels.

ROBINSON aims to help decarbonise islands. Through the development of a smart, modular and optimised Energy Management System (EMS), ROBINSON will integrate existing and newly developed technologies, such as a small gas turbine-based combined heat and power, an anaerobic digester assisted by bioelectrochemical systems to enable the conversion of liquid waste into biomethane, a gasifier to convert bio-waste, as well as hydrogen-related technologies (electrolyser and storage system).

In detail, attention is focused on the smart grid for an industrialised district in the Eigerøy island (Norway), where the energy demands by the Prima Protein company (electricity and heat in the form of steam for obtaining fish products) are coupled with electricity needs of residential buildings and hydrogen demand for truck charging operations.

ROBINSON’s consortium is coordinated by ETN and brings together 18 key stakeholders from 10 different European countries. The 18 partners hold complementary expertise covering the whole value chain needed for a successful implementation of ROBINSON’s main mission.

Researchers are interested in islands because they have the potential to become front-runners in the decarbonisation of energy systems and in advancing the energy transition in Europe and worldwide. However, Islands need clean, cost-efficient and reliable solutions tailored to fit their geographical situation, the fluctuating population and the local economy. This need can be addressed through flexible solutions integrating different energy vectors, as well as energy technologies and storage solutions.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 957752.

Read more about the project: https://www.robinson-h2020.eu/