Annual Report 2012 - sintef.no · is owned by the SINTEF Foundation (61 %), ... private sectors to ensure that the research is relevant for society. We launched 12 new KPN and IPN

Annual Report 2012SINTEF Energi AS

SINTEF Energy Research

This is SINTEF Energy Research

SINTEF Energy ResearchAnnual Report 2012

Publisher SINTEF Energy Research Phone + 47 73 59 72 00 www.sintef.no/energy

Design and production SINTEF Energy Research

Cover photo:Chief Scientist Svend Tollak Munkejord and hus colleagues provide knowledge of how different conditions influence on the behaviour of CO

2 by pipeline transport.

Photo: SINTEF / Thor Nielsen

The Institute is developing systems in the fields of power production, conversion, transmission

and distribution, and the efficient end use of energy onshore, offshore and subsea. We are working

on everything from the indoor environment and the use of energy in buildings, to gas technology,

combustion, bioenergy, CO2 capture and transport, environmental impact, refrigeration technology

and thermal food processing.

The high technical profile built up by the Institute through activities such as assisting the Norwegian

Parliament (Storting) to achieve its climate policy means that the Institute’s research community is

now at the forefront of European energy research.

By january 2013 SINTEF Energy Research had a staff of 219 and the institute have six research

departments. In cooperation with Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), we have

7000 m2 of modern laboratories available for research, developmentand education.

SINTEF Energy ResearchAnnual report 2012 - 1

Board’s Annual Report 2012

The Company is a general research institute

that cooperates with the Norwegian University

of Science and Technology (NTNU) in the

research and teaching activities that are

naturally associated with our range of

operations. We enjoy close contact with

industrial interest groups and organizations

in our sector.

The Company does not declare dividends.

The resources generated by our activities

are allocated exclusively to realizing our

corporate objectives and SINTEF’s mission

statement. The European Commission has

given SINTEF Energy Research the status of a

non-profit organization.

The Company is located on the Gløshaugen

university campus in Trondheim, and its

registered address is Sem Sælands vei 11,

NO-7465 Trondheim, Norway. The Company

is owned by the SINTEF Foundation (61 %),

Energy Norway (33.4 %) and Norsk Industri -

The Federation of Norwegian Industries (5.6 %).

SINTEF Energy Research has a strong research profile and together with industry

and other research centres is involved in seven of the Norwegian Research Council’s

Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME). The Company has a strong

position in the EU’s Framework Programme for research with extensive activities

in sectors including energy planning, wind power, transport of CO2, and purification

technology for gas and coal power. The Company’s scientific standing has been

advanced by the realization of The Storting’s (Norwegian parliament’s) climate

agreement. This has placed us among the leaders of European energy research.

Technology for a better society

The Company is engaged in research and

development in order to promote cost-

effective and environmentally friendly

solutions for energy consumption and the

supply of power and heating. This contributes

to reducing environmental loads, increasing

value creation for the companies in this sector

and thereby achieving better utilization of

energy resources for society.

SINTEF Energy Research also makes

significant contributions towards increasing

the development of Norwegian petroleum

resources in an environmentally friendly and

secure manner thanks to new technologies

developed for oil companies and the related

supply industry.

Customers

As a result of the Climate Agreement, The

Storting made considerable increases in

the public investment allocations in energy

research in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and this

new level of funding has been maintained.

The Research Council of Norway established

11 new Centres for Environment-friendly


Energy Research and the first group of

these are undergoing a mid-term evaluation

which will enable the Research Council to

decide which of the centres will be funded

after 2013. The results of the evaluation

are expected in August or September 2013.

SINTEF Energy Research hosts three of them

and participates as a partner in four of the

others. These centres will bring industrial

partners into direct contact with Norwegian

and international research institutes. The

technological centres that we are involved

with cover wind power technology, carbon

capture and storage, environmental design

of renewable energy, bioenergy, and zero

emission buildings. The two social science

centres focus on the significance of

framework conditions and sustainable energy

research.

The Company is also heavily involved in

the Research Council’s Knowledge-building

Projects for Industry (KPN, formally KMB).

These are important initiatives that help

develop new knowledge among our staff.

These projects involve the public and

private sectors to ensure that the research

is relevant for society. We launched 12 new

KPN and IPN (Innovation Projects for the

Industrial Sector) projects in 2012. In addition,

we have had 15 other projects accepted that

will start in 2013. Central topics are water

resource management, secure offshore

power networks, safe offshore cables,

wireless battery storage, pressure resistant

electronics in petroleum exploration, market

modelling for el-certificates, CO2 capture by

chemical looping, cryogenic CO2 separation,

energy efficiency, CO2 transport and a new

type of “super researcher” project with the

USA in combustion research.

SINTEF Energy Research places emphasis

on its participatory and coordinating roles

in the EU research projects. These provide

resources for skills development and

establish networks with customers and

research institutes in Europe. In 2012, the

Company participated in 25 EU projects

representing a turnover of about NOK 27

million and coordinated three of them.

In addition, we actively participate in a

number of the EU’s technology platforms

which design the strategies related to our

various disciplinary areas. Another area of

involvement is strategic fora such as the

European Research Area Board (ERAB), the

European Energy Research Alliance (EERA)

and EARTO which is the umbrella organization

for Europe’s specialized research and

technology organizations.

12 % of the Company’s income comes from

international partners in countries such as

Australia, Brazil, France, the Netherlands,

Poland and the USA.

SINTEF Energy Research has a broad portfolio

of projects where most of the projects have a

duration of several years. 40 % of our income

comes from the Research Council and 12 %

is generated by international projects. These

projects provide a useful buffer in relation to

fluctuations in demand for our services.

Research work

The international community is facing

considerable challenges in meeting the

demand for energy and transforming its

energy systems so that solutions to our

climate challenges can be found as quickly

and as cost effectively as possible. The

Company has broad disciplinary scope that

covers numerous relevant areas in energy


supply, energy consumption and oil and gas

technology. We have the ambition to become

a leading global player in energy savings, CO2

management, specific areas in renewable

energy (hydropower, bioenergy, offshore wind

power and integration of systems), power

networks/smart grids, subsea power supply,

LNG, and gas technology, as well as being in

the international forefront in energy policy

making. A brief description of two selected

disciplinary activities follows.

In aviation, biofuels have been identified as

the most feasible energy carriers on the short

and medium terms. In 2011, the state-owned

aviation corporation, Avinor launched a project

to study the potential of “Sustainable and

profitable biofuel production for non-military

aviation in Norway” within 2020-2025. This

work will have significance for the future

development of biofuel for jet aircraft in

Norway. SINTEF Energy Research completed

a benchmarking study of conversion and

production technologies for aviation biofuel

to recommend which technologies are most

effective and suitable for Norway.

Since 1990, SINTEF Energy Research has

developed condition monitoring methods

for maintaining and renewing Norwegian

transformer units which comprise over 1900

transformers with a total value of over NOK

13 billion. This work has enabled our research

group to be rated among the international

leaders in this field. The methods that have

been developed have led to a significant

extension in the operative life of transformers,

which represents billions in savings as the

reinvestment dates can be postponed.

Our cooperation with and close proximity

to the Norwegian University of Science

and Technology (NTNU) is a significant

scientific asset that few can match. Both

institutions share common resources such

as laboratories, workshops and instrument

services. In some cases both organizations

are involved in the other’s research activities.

The cooperation between SINTEF and

NTNU is systematic at all levels in the two

organizations. We are participating in the

evaluation and further development of

the university’s Energy and Environment

programme of study.

In 2012, a new Gemini centre was established

in energy process research. The Gemini

centres are important means of achieving

close on-going cooperation between SINTEF

Energy Research and the respective research

groups at NTNU.

SINTEF Energy Research has carried out an

extensive new investment programme to so

that we have the most modern laboratory

equipment in areas such as subsea power

supply, smart grids, bioenergy, efficient

energy consumption, CO2 capture, and oil-

water separation.

Staff

On 31 December 2012, we had a staff of 219,

172 of these are university graduates. In

addition, there are 10 engineers and the rest

of the staff has technical or administrative

positions. The average age was 45. The

Company has contracts with 59 members

of the staff at NTNU. Seven of our staff has

academic positions at NTNU as adjunct

professors or adjunct associate professors.

SINTEF Energy Research has seven

employees in Oslo who maintain scientific

focus on policy and control in energy and

climate issues.


In cooperation with NTNU, NVE, BKK Nett,

Lyse Nett, Statnett and Energy Norway we

have established a trainee agreement through

which we employ one to two new people every

year. This has become a popular arrangement

with a high level of female participation that

has received attention outside the Company.

The Summer Project was carried out for

the fifth time with 21 students in 2012. The

project attracted some of the best students

from NTNU and is an excellent recruitment

measure. Several of these have since become

permanent members of staff at SINTEF Energy

Research. Every autumn we arrange a one-day

seminar for supervisors and management

where the students present their project

assignments. The Summer Project is

attractive to students from several disciplines

at NTNU. A few students are also recruited

from outside NTNU.

Ethical issues

SINTEF Energy Research adheres to SINTEF’s

ethical guidelines for the group. SINTEF has

developed a code of ethics manual which is

available both on our Intranet and as a printed

pocket-sized booklet. The manual is a useful

tool in our daily activities.

The SINTEF Group has established an Ethics

Council and an Ethics Ombudsman who can be

contacted for confidential discussion by staff

who experience ethical issues that they wish

to keep outside the line management.

SINTEF Energy Research is a member of the

anti-corruption organization Transparency

International and the UN Global Compact that

work in the areas of human rights, labour

rights, environment and anti-corruption.

Diversity and equality

SINTEF Energy Research meets the needs of

employees with special needs for adaptation,

including access. We obtained recognition as

an inclusive working life (IA) organization in

2011 and we enjoy good cooperation with the

Norwegian Social Services.

SINTEF was awarded the diversity prize

in 2012. This was awarded by the Ministry

of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion.

The jury supported its decision by the fact

that SINTEF had managed to create an

international environment of highly competent

people from different cultural backgrounds

who are found in positions at most levels in

the organization.

To ensure the integration of non-Norwegian

staff, SINTEF has established a free

integration programme for them and

their families. The programme offers ex-

pat services, free Norwegian language

classes and English courses at the SINTEF

School. When recruiting staff, we consider

qualifications in accordance with the

intentions of the law.

Gender equality work is rooted in our

corporate management. Our personnel policy

and personnel administrative procedures

are in accordance with the requirements

of the Gender Equality Act. The Company

has 29 % female staff and the proportion of

women among management is 33 %. We plan

to increase the proportion of women when

recruiting new staff and have plans to develop

initiatives for female senior researchers.

On the Company’s Board, 38 % of the

shareholders’ representatives and 33 % of the

staffs’ representatives are women. We have


flexibility with regard to working hours and

welfare schemes and also contribute to the

operation of kindergartens through the Aurora

Foundation.

Anonymous surveys to measure the work

environment are done every two years. They

show our staff considers that the gender

equality work in the Company functions well

and there are equal opportunities for women

and men. An internal survey conducted at

SINTEF Energy in 2008 found that women

and men have equal pay. Wages and working

conditions are determined by negotiations

and discussions with union representatives

from the respective trade unions. SINTEF

Energy has implemented the agreements

that NHO has with Tekna, NITO, NTL and

Forskerforbundet. The Company has few

temporary staff.

Health, environment and safety (HES)

Absence due to illness amounted to 3.8 %,

which represents a reduction of 0.3 %

compared to 2011.

The Company has an active internal sports

club which it funds. The successful “Kom

i Form” (Get in Shape) project emphasizes

knowledge related to health, a common

measurement of fitness and individual

coaching.

HES is a regular discussion topic at company

meetings. Systematic efforts are being

made to reduce the risk of injury, accidents

and undesirable incidents. In 2012, SINTEF

Energy Research registered six accidents

where six were classified as injury to staff.

However, none of these resulted in absence

due to injury. There were 17 near-accidents

and 75 dangerous situations/observations

were registered and remedial measures and

suggestions were made to remove such risk

in the future. Most of these HES matters

were concluded or approved during the

year. In 2012 a coordinated initiative was

started in the SINTEF Group to ensure that

its companies can provide documentation

that SINTEF satisfies the environmental

management standard ISO 14001:2004.

SINTEF Energy Research has effective

routines to ensure that our activities comply

with external environmental considerations

and include measures such as the treatment

of different kinds of waste and hazardous

waste. We carry out systematic risk

assessments which consider the external

environment. The Company’s activities do not

lead to any pollution of the environment that

conflict with legislation in force.

SINTEF’s decentralized contingency plan was

operative in 2010 and has been continued

without changes. The contingency managers

have monthly meetings to discuss emergency

preparedness so that they are in a position

to take remedial action if an emergency

should occur. Local emergency preparedness

exercises are conducted at all SINTEF

companies and SINTEF has a joint exercise

where SINTEF’s executive management

participate with the company contingency

managers and the group’s contingency

manager. The theme for the central exercise in

2012 was research dishonesty. The theme for

the local exercise in June 2012 was explosion

and fire that led to extensive injuries in one

of our labs. In October there was a realistic

evacuation exercise in NTNU premises where

SINTEF Energy Research has offices and

laboratories.


In 2012, SINTEF’s travel agents started an

arrangement where the SINTEF companies

are notified of any members of staff who are in

or are on the way to countries or areas where

there is a natural disaster or there are other

situations that could be hazardous for their

staff.

Financial issues

The Company’s annual profit amounted to

NOK 24.9 million after tax. The net operating

income was 306.2 million.

The net operating profit was NOK 21.6

million which is a satisfactory result that

demonstrates effective management. The

annual profit before tax was NOK 33.2 million.

The net financial profit was NOK 11.6 million.

The Company’s equity as of 2012-12-31

amounts to NOK 359.0 million this constitutes

64.7 % of the total capital of which the

Company’s share capital is NOK 7.5 million.

This is an adequate basis for continued

operation, which is noted in the accounts. The

liquidity situation is satisfactory.

SINTEF Energy Research is to some extent

exposed to fluctuations in the currency

market as 3.5 % of the project income is in

a foreign currency while all or part of the

project costs are calculated in Norwegian

kroner. The exposure is primarily towards the

EUR and USD. In order to avoid this risk and

the Company has set up forward contracts

in the currency in question. Nevertheless,

the Company operates in an internationally

competitive market where many of our

competitors are located in eurozone areas.

SINTEF has established a common

arrangement for placing liquidity reserves.

The portfolio is subject to “the Rules for

financial management”. These are updated

annually and the latest version is dated

2013-03-20.

The Board has no knowledge of conditions

that may arise after the date the accounts

were balanced which may be significant for

the assessment of the Company’s financial

position.

The Board is of the opinion that the accounts

presented here give a correct overview of the

real financial development of SINTEF Energy

Research per 2012-12-31.

Planning and organization

Since 1999, the Company has worked

systematically to introduce value-based

management. Organizational development

efforts are continuously on-going at all levels

of the organization. Focus on developing

our human capital and core values involve

the ability to build up networks and be

continuously innovative. Part of this work has

been a 12-month management development

programme for all of our managers.

SINTEF’s quality system was approved in

June 2007 as a certifiable quality system

that is in accordance with ISO 9001:2000 and

OHSAS 18001 of TI – Teknologisk Institutt

Sertifisering AS. During 2011 and 2012, the

SINTEF Group’s Quality Forum has worked

to continuously improve this QC system and

most efforts were focused on integrating the

control system with SINTEF’s new IT system

for financial and project management in 2013.

These new tools will have a significant impact


on the work processes of research staff in the

Company.

Customer satisfaction surveys are carried out

in connection with the completion of selected

projects. The results generally show a high

degree of satisfaction with our deliverables

and services. Any non-conformances that are

found are followed up.

All institutes in the SINTEF Group have

introduced a system involving risk reporting

each quarter. The reports in the Company are

discussed by its Board and risk-reduction

measurements are implemented. Important

risk and uncertainty factors for us are related

to the market, our major customers, our

cooperation with NTNU, our reputation, our

responsibilities related to major contracts,

loss of key skills, handling IPR, recruitment,

and safety in laboratory and field work.

Future possibilities and challenges

The global financial situation has meant that

many companies have reduced their research

budgets in recent years. However, solving the

challenges posed by climate issues means

that substantial public sector investments

will be made in research and technology

development. It is likely that R&D in energy

issues will have more support in the years to

come than many other sectors. The Norwegian

Climate Agreement gives a clear signal that

increased priority will be given to R&D in

renewable energy and CO2 management.

Oil and gas are important energy carriers in a

long-term perspective also in the scenarios

where global warming is to be limited to +2° C.

Investments in the oil and gas sector have

been increased since the financial crisis and

there is reason to expect that there will be a

high level of R&D activities in this sector in

the years to come.

In 2012, the Company prepared a new strategy

with a 10-year perspective. This was based on

the SINTEF Group’s main strategy but there

was a focus on energy. Central elements in

this strategy are:

1. Safe and economical energy solutions for

Norway

2. Value-creation based on Norwegian

energy resources

3. Technology development in the

international market

There are 11 strategic priority areas:

1. Energy savings

2. CO2 capture, transport and storage

3. Hydropower

4. Offshore wind power

5. Bioenergy

6. Integration of renewable energy in the

grid

7. Distribution and consumption of

electrical energy

8. Transmission and connecting Norwegian

power to Europe

9. Gas technology and LNG

10. Subsea power supply and processing

11. Framework conditions for energy policy

The EU’s dynamic long-term initiatives in

energy research provide a good foundation for

international cooperation where the Company

can work in partnership with others. It is

positive that the EU’s strategies in energy

research cover the entire range of activities

in the energy sector. SINTEF’s participation

in the strategic energy fora in the EU, our

willingness to assume the role of project

coordinator, and last but by no means least,

our strong standing in this area all strengthen


our chances to participate in cooperative

projects.

The end of the EU’s 7th Framework Programme

in 2013 will open many new opportunities

in the new Horizon 2020 programme. The

Company is in an excellent position to take

advantage of this new programme and has

been proactive in most of the relevant areas.

For years the Company has focused its efforts

to build up academic cooperation with the USA

in selected research areas. We are working

with NTNU to develop cooperation with R&D

institutes in India and China. This means that

apart from European cooperation, we are

positioning ourselves for further cooperation

with existing and emerging powers in the

global economy.

In the future, adjustments will be necessary

and focus will be placed on areas where

SINTEF Energy Research already is or

potentially can be internationally outstanding.

It is crucial to develop the correct type

of alliances at national and international

levels. Our customers will increasingly look

for the best international research groups.

This is a challenge that offers considerable

possibilities for the Company. The focus of

SINTEF Energy Research is on the needs

of industry and it is this close contact with

our industrial customers that provides an

excellent means to grasp these opportunities.

Acknowledgements

The Board wishes to thank the management

and staff for a successful year that has

yielded sound research work and satisfactory

financial results.

Trondheim 2012-03-15


MNOK 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Result

Gross operating income 299 376 401 404 401

Net operating income 214 256 284 288 306

Operating result 21 20 41 30 22

Annual result 30 33 46 30 25

Balance sheet

Fixed assets 70 83 95 101 98

Liquid assets 324 390 430 433 457

Sum of assets 394 473 525 533 555

Equity capital 226 258 304 334 359

Debt 169 215 220 199 196

Sum of equity and debt 394 473 524 533 555

Profitability

Operating margin % 9.8 7.8 14.3 10.5 7.5

Total profitability % 8.4 7.7 10.5 7.4 6.1

Profitability of equity capital % 14.3 13.2 17 12.2 9.6

Liquidity

Net cash flow from operation 22 63 90 14 38

Degree of liquidity 2.2 2.0 2.0 2.2 2.3

Solidity

Equity capital % 54 55 58 63 64.7

Operating working capital 167 190 168 216 236

Key financial figures


Organisation

PresidentInge R. Gran

Vice President ResearchPetter Støa

Electric Power Systems

Research DirectorKnut Samdal

Energy Systems

Research DirectorMagnus Korpås

Gas Technology

Research DirectorMona J. Mølnvik

Thermal Energy

Research DirectorPetter E. Røkke

Energy Efficiency

Research DirectorAnne Karin T. Hemmingsen

Electric Power Technology

Research DirectorDag Eirik Nordgård

Electrotechnical LaboratoriesLaboratory Manager Rolf Hegerberg

- Ass. HSE coordinator Oddgeir Kvien

Thermal Engineering LaboratoriesLaboratory Manager Harald Mæhlum

- Ass. HSE coordinator

Executive Vice PresidentMarie BysveenStaff functions:• Operations• HSE and Quality• Personnel• Finance

Key figures

4,7 %35,5 %

9,8 %37,7 %11,9 %

0,4 %

RCN basic grantRCN project supportPublic sectorBusiness and industryInternational contractsOther sources of income

Total 401 MNOK

Sources of finance(% of gross operating income)

28 9

10 172*

*of whom 87 hold doctorates

AdministrationTechnical personnelEngineersResearchers

Total 219

Employees

189

52

11120

1

Academic articles in journals,series or anthologiesAcademic lecturesand posters ReportsPopular articles and talksTextbooks, etc.

Totalt 373

Publications(including popular dissemination)


Integration of marketing models and grid modelling

Developments in renewable energy and improved connections to Europe

are putting more pressure on the Norwegian electrical power grid. New

investments in both production and the grid are becoming essential. If

the grid and power companies are to make the best possible decisions on

investments, they need new methods and planning tools that describe as

realistically as possible the links between production, the market and the

power grid. In the research project ‘Power System Analyses and Transmission

Planning in a Changing Environment’, our role was to expand our knowledge

base to support new planning methods. We and some of our project partners

are now continuing to develop and test several of the methods and prototype

models which arose from this project.

Biofuels for aviation – the Avinor project

Biofuels have the potential to resolve two of the main issues associated with

today’s fossil fuel-based transport sector; the reduction of our dependency

on petroleum, and pollution mitigation, achieved by restricting greenhouse

gas emissions. Biofuels have been identified as the most likely alternative

energy source for aviation, both in the short and long terms. In 2011, Avinor

established a major Norwegian analytical project aimed at investigating

the potential for ‘Viable and profitable biofuel production for civil aviation

in Norway’ by 2020–2025. This is an extensive analytical project, even by

international standards, and is expected to be highly significant for further

developments in biojet fuel in Norway. SINTEF Energy Research conducted a

benchmarking study of conversion and production technologies for synthetic

biofuels for aviation, in order to be able to recommend the most efficient

technologies and those most suitable for application in Norway. This included

a technology review, which studied which biomass resources are most

suitable for each technology, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the

technologies in question.

Barriers against moisture penetration into undersea cables

Traditionally, an outer sheath of lead has been used to prevent moisture

penetration into high-voltage undersea cables. SINTEF Energy Research has

been working with Nexans Norway to develop a completely new and attractive

barrier design based on light polymer materials as an alternative to the lead

sheath. The design has now been successfully manufactured on a full-scale

basis, as a step towards the qualification of this cable type.

Technical highlights of 2012


Mikrokapsel som

inneholderhelende

monomer

Elektriskfelt

Hulrom

Katalysator

Self-healing insulation material

Thermoset plastic electric insulation is vulnerable to damage in the form of cracks which can form deep within the material, where they are difficult to detect and practically impossible to repair. These cracks can initiate electrical degradation in the form of partial discharges and electrical tree growth, which eventually results in the breakdown of the insulation. Several self-healing technologies for polymer materials have been developed over the last ten years. One promising technology is the incorporation of micro-capsules containing liquid healing particles in the polymer, and a hardening catalyst dispersed through the polymer material. Through a project financed by grant funding, we have tested methods for making these micro-capsules, and the results have been excellent. This has generated exciting prospects for the development of self-healing electrical insulating materials.

Offshore energy recovery

Offshore oil and gas production are highly energy-intensive processes. About 80 per cent of the CO

2 emissions from offshore activities are derived from the gas turbines

used to generate electricity on the installations. The turbines employ natural gas from the reservoirs as their energy source. One of the keys to improving energy efficiency offshore is a new, space-saving technology that will make gas-fired energy

production more efficient. Such technologies are already in use onshore. Research at the Institute has focused on the potential of using waste heat from the gas turbines to generate electricity ‘one more time’, using an extra turbine ‘hooked up’ to the power plant and recovering energy that would otherwise have been lost. The aim of this research is also to adapt these technologies to the demanding constraints which must be taken into account on offshore installations, and make them suitably compact and robust.

Transporting CO2 in pipelines

Large-scale carbon capture and storage means being able to capture CO2 and store

it in geological formations in such a way that it cannot escape. CO2 transport is the

final element that needs to be in place. Safe and efficient transport systems can be achieved when we know how CO

2 mixtures behave during transportation and the

different phases of the operation (filling, decompression and varying quantities of CO

2). When CO

2 is transported in pipelines, it is often in liquid form. Our research

is examining the development of cracks in CO2 transport pipelines, since it is thermodynamics and fluid dynamics that affect the course of events. To obviate the need for expensive research and to improve our understanding of what actually happens while a crack is growing, we are developing physics-based calculation models. In 2012, we established the EU IMPACTS project: The impact of the quality of CO

2 on transport and storage behaviour.

Generator

Power Power

Turbine andgenerator

Heat exchangewith seawater

Pump

Natural gas in

Gas turbine Bottoming cycle

Combustion chamber

Hot

exh

aust

va

rms

CO2/s

team

Gassturbinerunning a generator

Kond

ensa

tor

Air in

TurbineCompressor

Microcapsule containing

healing agent

Electricfield

Void

Catalyst


Cost reductions for offshore wind power

Offshore wind power is globally recognised as an essential part of the means required to increase the share of energy supply provided by renewables. Europe has set itself some ambitious targets, and the North Sea is an arena in which these can be achieved. SINTEF Energy Research and our business partners in research and industry are in a good position to deliver innovative solutions. In 2012, we have been working on new concepts such as the robotised maintenance of offshore wind turbines (remote presence), new, cost-effective solutions for power transmission from offshore wind farms to the onshore grid, and new generator designs that save on volume and weight.

Innovation award for superconductor

Last year, research scientists Magne Runde and Niklas Magnusson were awarded EARTO’s Innovation Award. They received the award as recognition for their work with superconducting materials, which conduct electricity entirely without resistance. The development of the superconductor was achieved in collaboration with Zenergy Power Gmbh in Germany, resulting in a new generation of induction furnaces which utilise high-temperature superconductivity. The furnaces are used to heat raw aluminium prior to its extrusion as profiles used in products such as light fittings and window frames. The concept could result in annual savings of millions for the manufacturers of aluminium profiles.

Smart grids and supply reliability

Tomorrow’s electrical distribution systems will utilise metered data as a tool in the planning, operation and maintenance of power grids to a much greater extent than is the case today. This will place strict requirements on the instruments employed to obtain these metered data, and on the reliability of systems designed to process the volumes of data involved. Last year, the research project Power Quality Management enabled us to increase our understanding of how metered electricity and voltage data can be better utilised. The project also resulted in a prototype low-cost metering instrument, and a tool used for the automatic recognition of different disturbances in the distribution grid.

Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces

Wood used as a heating fuel makes up half of Norway’s biomass consumption. According to the Norwegian Bioenergy Strategy, the intention is to double biomass consumption by 2020, and wood-burning stoves and fireplaces represent the most important means of achieving this target. In 2011 we continued our work to develop the next generation of stoves and fireplaces, and achieved excellent results. Modern wood-burning stoves have succeeded in reducing particle emissions by more than 75 per cent and have increased their efficiency from 35 to 75 per cent over a period of only a few years. We are now heading several research projects in which the stove/fireplace industry is involved. The aim is to develop stoves and fireplaces which produce lower and more consistent levels of heat output and achieve even greater reductions in particle emissions.

SINTEF Energi ASSINTEF Energy Research

Phone: + 47 73597200*www.sintef.no/energy

Documents

Annual Report 2012 - sintef.no · is owned by the SINTEF Foundation (61 %), ... private sectors to ensure that the research is relevant for society. We launched 12 new KPN and IPN