Issue 23 - March 2016

EUREC MASTERS NEWSLETTER ISSUE 23 – March 2016

EUREC Awards 2016

For the fifth year, EUREC is organising the EUREC Awards

competition. Last year, the three winners came from University

of Exeter, University of Patras and Universidad de Chile. You

can see them here.

Through this competition, EUREC aims at promoting

Renewable Energies and encouraging excellence in the field. It

is open to students from all over the world who are in the last

year of their undergraduate studies or who graduated in 2015.

Students have until July 4th to fill the online application form,

with the undergraduate project abstract, a letter of reference and

University transcripts.

The EUREC Masters Steering Committees will then select the 3 best projects of 2016 and prizes

will be delivered during the EUREC Masters Starting Day in Brussels on October 7th. We are

looking forward to discovering original and exciting projects as we did last year… spread the

word!

More information on application and projects assessment criteria here.

Issue 23 - March 2016

European Master in Sustainable Energy

System Management

Academic Year 2015/2016

June 1st Proposal form to be sent back to

EUREC

Oct. 8th Alumni Forum in Brussels

Nov. 29th Thesis submission deadline

Dec. 14th Presentation Day in Brussels

Academic Year 2016/2017

July 10th End of application process Sept. 5th Starting day for Hanze Oct. 3rd Starting day for Pisa Oct. 7th Starting Day in Brussels Oct. 8th Alumni Forum in Brussels

CONTENT

Edito: EUREC Awards 2016

News from Universities: Graduation ceremony in MINES-ParisTech and EnTranCe

opening in Hanze UAS

Best projects 2015 in Zaragoza: Stéphane Belly and Damian Ponce

Where are they now? By Robert Peñaranda Loayza

Experiences on the specialisation semester

First year of the SESYM Master

ERICE Summer School

Call for good practice case studies

Job offers

New video online!

Events

o Save the date! Starting Day and Alumni Forum 2016

o Workshop on Security, flexibility and demand management in smart low voltage

grids on 19-20 May 2016

o List of upcoming events

MASTERS AGENDA

European Master

in Renewable Energy

Academic Year 2015/2016

June 1st Proposal form to be sent back

to EUREC

Oct. 8th Alumni Forum in Brussels

Nov. 29th Thesis submission deadline

Dec. 13th/14th Presentation Days in Brussels

Academic Year 2016/2017

July 10th End of application process Sept. 5th Starting day for Hanze and

MINES-ParisTech

Sept. 26th Starting day for Zaragoza

Oct. 3rd Starting day for Loughborough Oct. 4th Starting day for Oldenburg Oct. 7th Starting Day in Brussels Oct. 8th Alumni Forum in Brussels

Issue 23 - March 2016

NEWS FROM UNIVERSITIES

REMA Master Students graduation ceremony in MINES ParisTech

The graduation ceremony of Mines-

ParisTech 2014-2015 students was held

in Paris on January 8th 2016.

This celebration was followed by a

cocktail reception. It was a pleasure for

EUREC to be here and congratulate

students one more time.

EnTranCe opening with King Willem-Alexander

On October 13th, His Majesty King Willem-

Alexander opened the new Energy Transition

Centre (EnTranCe) in Groningen. EnTranCe is

an energy testing ground where students,

researchers, the industry and the public create

solutions for the energy supply of the future.

EnTranCe is a joint initiative of Hanze

University of Applied Sciences (UAS) in

Groningen and the Energy Academy Europe.

The King opened EnTranCe in the presence of more than 250 guests. Following the opening, he

received a tour of the grounds. Secondary vocational, college and university students, lecturers

and entrepreneurs from the Northern region showcased the latest developments in the field of

energy.

REMA and SESYM students studying at

Hanze UAS had the opportunity to

participate in this opening and to meet the

King.

Issue 23 - March 2016

BEST PROJECTS THESIS 2015: ZARAGOZA

Stéphane Belly: Laboratory Test, Modelling and Simulation of a Small Wind Turbine

Blade with Finite Element Method

After having finished my specialisation semester in Athens, I really wanted

to find an internship in the wind energy sector where I could work directly

on wind turbine components. With the one I found, I totally reached my

wishes. I realised my project in the CEDER-CIEMAT, a Spanish public

research organisation located in Soria working on small wind turbines.

With their installation, I was able to test small blades and analyse their

behaviour under different conditions.

My main objective was to define the 1500W-wind turbine blade properties (Young and shear

modulus, density and Poisson’s ratio) to understand its behaviour. The best way was to test the

actual blade and create a model using CAD software (MSC SimXpert). By comparing

experimental test and simulation results, the blades properties have been discovered. For that, I

realised different tests: modal and static.

The first one is the process of knowing basic dynamic

properties of a blade such as its natural frequencies,

modal damping and mode shapes. They are necessary

to know the dynamic behaviour and structural

integrity of the entire wind turbine. In fact, the natural

frequencies have to be identified in order to not be

used for another component of the wind turbine

because a resonance mode could appear. It would involve high magnitude of displacement and

acceleration of the components and then, important damages.

The second kind of test, the static one, verifies that

the specified limits of a blade are not reached and

predicts the blade’s ability to withstand extreme

loads, such as those caused by hurricane wind forces,

in order to determine its ultimate strength. As the

picture presents, the blade is set up in cantilever and a

static load is applied to the blade in only one direction

to determine its ultimate strength in that direction.

Issue 23 - March 2016

These two tests allowed me analysing natural

frequencies, strains and blade tip deflections and

comparing with my model until I found the most

accurate mechanical properties. This work was also

the opportunity to evaluate the accuracy of different

techniques of modelling (with linear or non-linear

equations, different initial conditions and different

carbon fibre distributions) and understand how to improve the model to mimic as well as

possible the actual blade. Here is an example of deviation between actual blade and model

(Positive and negative directions) to show the good results obtained.

This internship gave me important knowledge about testing blades, modelling with CAD

software and selecting the right conditions of such a system in order to build a model as accurate

as possible. It was very interesting to have the opportunity to realise such an internship because

after having spent one week in a Greek research centre (CRES) when I was in Athens, I was very

excited by that kind of environment. That’s why I would like to thanks all the people involved in

the EUREC Master and also all who took part of my internship in the CEDER-CIEMAT and

mainly my professional supervisor, Luis Cano. I am very pleased to have been selected by the

University of Zaragoza among the best projects in 2015, thank you for that.

Damián Andrés Ponce: SMA-Solar and Export Control System for the UK

All my life I have been interested in big machines, engines and

production processes and I never cared about used resources, produced

wastes and industrial activity repercussion in the environment but,

when I finished my studies in Engineering, I wanted to focus on

renewable energies and I decided to be part of EUREC.

I finished my studies in Industrial Engineering (University of Girona-

Spain) in September 2014 and the same year I was accepted in the EUREC Master. I loved the

idea of studying in different countries. The first stage of my studies took place in CIRCE

(Zaragoza-Spain) followed by a specialisation in photovoltaic at Northumbria University

(Newcastle-UK). In Zaragoza I learned about different types of renewable energy (PV, thermal,

hydro, geothermal, wind, biomass, etc.) and the most interesting experience was listening to

lectures from employees of successful companies. Experience in Newcastle was also amazing. I

met people from different countries and professors and classmates were always there to support

me.

Thanks to the acquired knowledge and thanks to an ex-EUREC

student, Maria del Carmen Garralaga, I had the opportunity to do

an internship with a big inverter manufacturer called SMA-Solar SMA-Solar (UK)

Issue 23 - March 2016

trying to obtain approbation from different DNOs (Distribution Network Operators) to use SMA

export control limitation system in the UK.

With the rapid growth of solar PV in the UK, the grid capacity is coming under scrutiny because

some networks are beginning to have problems with the power that flows back to the grid from

many of the PV plants. For this reason, DNOs are imposing export limitations or grid

reinforcement on new PV installations. Some commercial PV systems are currently deemed as

non-viable because of this. Normally, large PV systems are installed on premises that have high

levels of self-consumption, such as factories or dairy farms, where the business consumes a lot of

electricity during daytime hours. Then, most of the electricity being produced will be consumed

directly on site but there will be times when production will exceed demand (e.g. on weekends)

and DNOs don’t want to risk. In this scenario, SMA has created a smart device (SMA Cluster

Controller) able to control the inverter´s production. This device is common in Germany but not

in the UK.

My role was to search information about

the UK grid, DNOs and requirements to

answer the following questions: Does

SMA export limitation system apply the

grid requirements? Which are the

components to use in the UK market? Is

it possible to install SMA solution in the

UK market (real plants)?

Initially, Some DNO were reticent to

support such systems and in other cases,

the requirements were very strict (The

scheme has hard wired communication

links, compliant of the EN Engineering Recommendation G5 for harmonics, P28 for flicker, P29

for voltage unbalance, operation of signals to reduce output within 1 second, fail-safe and limits

export if the export limiter fails or it loses its power supply), especially concerning the reaction

time. The reaction time is the time it takes a system to reduce the power of inverters as

established by the DNO. After several discussions, it was established that reaction times of 5

seconds were reasonable. Also I had to find plants affected by such restrictions and help them to

use power control systems and also, to obtain DNO approval. Finding clients willing to install

these systems was not difficult. DNOs like WPD and SSE accepted our solution with the

condition of performing a witness test.

Witness Test with Western Power Distribution (WPD)

28th October, 2015. Installation located in Bristol, BS40 8BB

(Dairy farm) and performed by SolarSense. Plant size of 50kWp

and export limitation of 27% of the maximum nominal power.

Scheme and components SMA Solution for export control

Issue 23 - March 2016

SMA Solution: 2 inverters STP 20000TL-30 with fall back function and Speedwire module +

1xCluster Controller + 1xSMA Energy Meter.

During the witness test, the DNO´s engineers performed the following tests: testing the system at

different percentage of export restriction, testing the system with different loads, testing the

fallback function disconnecting the communication between devices and visual inspection of the

installation and G59 settings in the inverters.

In general, the DNO was very impressed with the Cluster Controller and they said that the

system is very sophisticated and “high technology”. The witness test was SUCCESFUL in

different ways: SolarSense was happy with the results and now they are planning on installing

more plants with the same solution. Some issues we found were that the configuration might be a

bit difficult since the Cluster Controller has many settings, but I have been trying to find a

solution.

Witness Test with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE)

In this case, 0% Export with SSE. SMA was not present in the

witness test but we provided assistance and support in the

configuration of the Cluster Controller. The installation was

carried out by SunsSmart Energy and consisted of: 50kWp

using 2xSTP25000TL + Cluster Controller + Energy meter

(with CT’s).

In fail safe mode, the inverters reduce the power and stay

connected to the grid producing only between 6-10W per

inverter. This is a small quantity and it was not a problem for the DNO. They understood that it

is a real system and 10W is insignificant so, they approved it.

Great news for SMA and customers since it was demonstrated that the system works and DNOs

don’t have to worry that the system injects more energy than allowed. Customers can benefit

from the system also allowing them to install larger systems to meet their needs and adapt energy

production to their loads, importing less energy from the grid.

With all the information obtained in this project, it has been possible to create a document for

compliance in the UK. This document is very useful because it simplifies the work for installers

and DNOs in cases of G59 applications and export restrictions. This document contains

information about the system proposed by SMA, compliance with DNO´s requirements, required

components (compatible SMA inverters), some laboratory tests with results of reaction time and

power reduction.

Nowadays, DNOs like UKPN, WPD and SSE accept the SMA system using the Cluster

Controller.

At the moment I am working at SMA-Solar (UK) as Technical Sales Support and my role

involves designing domestic, commercial and utility plants and being in contact with clients to

provide information and concepts. EUREC, including University of Zaragoza and Northumbria

University, have given me the opportunity to learn more about clean energies and being able to

work with them.

Installation Raglington Farm in Shedfield

Issue 23 - March 2016

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Robert Peñaranda Loayza, REMA Master 2011-2012

I finished the EUREC’s European Master in

Renewable Energy 3 years ago. After I graduated as

an electrical engineer in Ecuador, I was not so sure

whether I wanted to keep studying by pursuing a

master degree right away, or work for some time

before undertaking it. Deciding to study a master

really helped me to achieve some of my goals,

among which working in different parts of the world.

I studied my first semester in Zaragoza, Spain and

then I specialised in Hybrid systems in Germany.

After finishing all the classes, I was looking for an

internship and I found an interesting project with

microgrids at the Fraunhofer IWES in Kassel. I worked there as a research assistant. It was really

enriching and allowed me to use what I had been learning in classes right away. Additionally, my

tutor was an old student from the EUREC Master, so he already knew what skills I learnt at

University.

Six months later, in December 2012, I presented my Master project in Brussels and I graduated.

Then, I decided to go back to my home country, Ecuador, where I found a challenging job in one

of the main electrical distribution companies of the country Empresa Electrica Quito. There, I

was involved in the renewable energy department and in charge of different projects, such as

wind monitoring, rural electrification with SHS (Solar Home Systems), solar grid connected

systems, energy efficiency in building and hybrid systems. This job gave me the opportunity to

put in practice everything I had learnt and to get a real experience in the field, especially working

with communities in the Ecuadorian jungle.

One of the main projects we achieved was the

implementation of a new management system with

prepaid meters for 500 households in the jungle.

This project was really satisfying for me, because I

had been involved since the beginning, realising all

the designs, taking part into purchasing, installation,

implementation and commissioning. It gave me a

total overview of all the different steps to realise a

project. I really enjoy this kind of practical work,

because with my studies, I was able to travel to

remote places really deep in the jungle and meet

amazing people and communities, where one of the main issues is the lack of energy.

Solar grid connected system in Vientiane, Laos.

Solar home system in “3 Fronteras” Sucumbíos, Ecuador.

Issue 23 - March 2016

It is really rewarding, after so much work and effort to get a project done, to see people’s faces

when finally they can have electricity, kids reading at night. You actually feel you are doing

things in the right way.

After 2 years working in Ecuador, one former classmate from the EUREC Master told me about

a job opportunity in Laos, Asia. I did not know Asia in that time and it sounded like an amazing

place for travelling and working, so I talked with him about the job position, had a couple of

interviews and finally I got the job. So I did my luggage once again and I crossed half of the

world to come to Laos. It has been about one year now that I am in Vientiane, and it has been

such a great experience. I am working in a renewable energy company - Sunlabob, where my

position is engineering manager. This job has allowed me to meet new people, to visit remote

villages and to get more experience from the field. I am currently involved in a rural

electrification plan, in which we will install 11 solar systems for small villages in Myanmar. The

project consists in the installation of a

Hybrid system which is solar and has a

diesel generator for backup and the

minigrid. It is really challenging,

because we have been working since

the beginning of the project, preparing

the answer to the tender, designs and

now the implementation. One of the

main issues is that the villages are in

the mountains of Myanmar and the only

routes to access them are narrow paths

for motorbikes, so it is a real challenge

for the transportation of the equipment.

But this is the fun part about solar energy for rural electrification: it is quite a hard work, but

really satisfying when you achieve it and you provide energy for the first time to people.

I like the renewable energy field very much, especially for rural electrification in which you have

the opportunity to be in remote places in different parts of the world and see how there is still

people without access to reliable and clean energy. And you can feel that you are doing

something to help these villages. For me now, after finishing this project in Myanmar, I will be

returning to Ecuador, so we will see what are the new adventures that the renewable energy field

has prepared.

Children going back to their homes after school in “Buen Samaritano” Sucumbíos, Ecuador

Issue 23 - March 2016

‘The core semester also provided a good insight in the market and the urgency of the

energy transition, as well as the career opportunities that lies in front of us.’ – Ilmar

Bouwer

EXPERIENCES ON THE SPECIALISATION SEMESTER

Oldenburg University published two EUREC

students’ articles on their specialisation

semester experiences.

Click on the following links to read their

articles:

Dishant Mishra at NTUA (GR)

Jorge Lezaca at PROMES (FR)

FIRST YEAR OF THE SESYM MASTER

The first edition of the SESYM Master (European

Master in Sustainable Energy System Management)

has started in September 2015. Our nine students

went to Hanze UAS during the first semester, where

they acquired solid foundation in systems

management. They studied legal, environmental,

economic, social as well as technical aspects.

‘The SESyM programme is very demanding, but for

me it has already been very rewarding.

The theory is directly applicable to the current

market and has already been proven very useful in

my own company.’ – Marro Mijnans

These aspects are combined with planning, modelling, scenario development, strategic decision-

making and communication.

Issue 23 - March 2016

‘Guided by interesting and qualified teachers in each field, I have improved my knowledge to

develop a global approach regarding energy problems.’ – Laure Detoc

Students are currently doing the specialisation semester in Zaragoza University or Hanze UAS.

SESyM students also underlined the motivation and availability of teaching teams in each

University.

‘Experiencing studying abroad is great opportunity to travel, learning a new language and

connect with new international people.’ – Marc Schot

‘One of the nicest things about the master is the possibility to go abroad for your specialisation

semester. In this way you can combine work and enjoy the sun at the same time!’ – Bram

Commandeur

Next year, the University of Pisa, in Italy, will also welcome students for the core semester.

Applications for the 2016/2017 edition are open here: http://www.sesym.eurec.be/en/How-to-

Apply/Overview/

ERICE SUMMER SCHOOL

The International School of Solid State Physics with the 5th

Course on "Materials for Energy and Sustainability-V" and the 3rd

Course of the "EPS-SIF International School on Energy" will be

organised on 13-19 July 2016 at the Ettore Majorana Foundation

and Centre for Scientific Culture in Erice, Italy.

The aim of the School is to present the state-of-the-art and the

future perspectives for materials applied to the generation and

storage of renewable and sustainable energy. Lectures will be

given by some of the most recognized academic and industrial

experts, merging physics, chemistry and engineering knowledge in

several fields. A general overview of the global energy landscape will be presented by discussing

also conventional energy sources and next generation nuclear production. Topics of the school

are: the global warming issue, conventional and sustainable technologies, solar energy

conversion (PV and thermal), thermoelectric energy conversion, solar fuels, wind energy

conversion, fuel cells, storage and vehicles. The School will be a great opportunity for students

Issue 23 - March 2016

and postdoctoral fellows from around the world to meet with and learn from their peers, and

established experts in a friendly atmosphere, reaping benefit in terms of enthusiasm, knowledge

and new ideas and benefitting the future of mankind.

Please note that the event is open only to selected participants and the number of attendees is

limited. The selection will be based on the CV and references.

More information about the event and applications is available here.

Please also find the brochure here.

The event is organized by:

European Material Research Society (E-MRS)

European Physical Society (EPS)

Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation on Research & Training in Sun-based Renewable

Energies (EuroSunMed)

Historical Museum of Physics and Study and Research Centre "Enrico Fermi" (Centro

Fermi)

Italian Physical Society (SIF)

Materials Research Society (MRS)

The deadline for registration and fee payment is June 15th.

CALL FOR GOOD PRACTICE CASE STUDIES

The Science-to-Business Marketing Research Centre, the European Commission and the project

partners are inviting organisations involved with university-business cooperation (UBC)*

including businesses, academics, universities, intermediaries and policy makers to suggest a

good practice UBC case study about their strategies, practices, partnerships and achievements in

developing UBC.

Participation in the call requires a short submission via website (www.ub-cooperation.eu) or by

email (victoria.galan@technopolis-group.com) indicating in the subject line "State of European

UBC study - Call for case studies". The focus is on all EU member states (plus Iceland, Norway,

Macedonia Liechtenstein and Turkey) and the deadline for submission is the 4th April 2016.

The 50 cases selected will be published by the European Commission in a UBC good practice

report.

For further information, go to www.ub-cooperation.eu/index/submitcasestudy

Issue 23 - March 2016

JOB OFFERS

Please log in to access the following ads:

Ongrid microgrid junior consultant

Ongrid microgrid internship

Ongrid microgrid senior consultant

Assistant Professor position in Smart Grid

Renewable Energy Specialist – Solar, PV

Chef de projet éolien

Post-Doctoral Fellow Electrical Systems and Grid Integration

Ingénieur R&D conception mécanique

Project Developer – Solar PV

Alumni and companies are warmly encouraged to publish job ads in the Masters’ websites:

please send the offer via email to Nathalie Richet.

NEW VIDEO

A new video is now online on the

EUREC Masters YouTube! Channel.

You can now watch the Presentation

Days 2015 video here.

Thanks to all students and professors

who replied to our questions!

Issue 23 - March 2016

EVENTS

Save the date! Starting Day and Alumni Forum 2016 in Brussels!

The EUREC Masters Starting Day will be held in Brussels on

Friday October 7th. As last year, it will be followed by the EUREC

Alumni Forum.

Save the date and join us! The 8th Alumni Forum will be

organised in Brussels on Saturday October 8th!

The EUREC Alumni Network is looking for speakers to present

interesting topics (RE, storage, economy...). Current

students/interns are welcome to participate as it can be a valuable

practice before the final presentation. For submission, help or

information, please contact Juliana Montoya or Thierry Ha.

Workshop on Security, Flexibility and Demand Management in Smart Low Voltage

Grids on 19-20 May 2016

The workshop on "Security, Flexibility and Demand Management in Smart Low Voltage Grids"

will be held on 19-20 May 2016 and will be co-hosted by the 1st EAI International Conference

on Smart Grid Inspired Future Technologies (SmartGift2016, Liverpool, UK), and EU

Mas2tering project (FP7) - "Multi-Agent Systems and Secured coupling of Telecom and Energy

Grids for Next Generation smart grid services”.

This workshop is motivated by the need for Europe to transition its energy markets (generation,

distribution and consumption) into smart energy systems that support bi-directional flows of

revenue, energy and information, the increased penetration of DER, self-consumption of on-site

generation, and the optimization of energy flows in a safe, reliable, secure, and affordable way.

It brings together industrials, ICT and cyber security experts, energy suppliers / retailers,

distribution grid operators (e.g. DSO, DNO), scientists, business analysts, and power engineers

to share and exchange their experiences and ideas towards progressing state-of-the-art in

residential / commercial premise energy consumption optimization that facilitates aggregated

flexibility trading and leads to prosumer-oriented smart European energy communities.

For more info, please visit the project website or the Workshop website and for any questions,

please email the Workshop Delegate Manager, Mr. Zia Lennard, at: info@mas2tering.eu

Issue 23 - March 2016

UPCOMING EVENTS

Title RE

sector Date Place Conference Website

Conference Sustainable Built

Environment 2016 All 7-8 April

Utrecht,

The Netherlands

http://www.hu-

conferenties.nl/index.php/sbe16/studen

tevent

KnowRES event on Renewable

Energy Jobs and Skills All 11 April

Brussels,

Belgium

http://www.knowres-

jobs.eu/en/About-KnowRES/News-

and-events/KnowRES-event-on-

Renewable-Energy-Jobs-and-Skills/

Workshop on Security, Flexibility

and Demand Management in smart

low voltage grids

Grid 19-20 May Liverpool,

UK

http://smartgiftconf.org/2016/show/init

ial-submission

EUPVSEC 2016 PV 20-24 June Munich,

Germany

http://www.photovoltaic-

conference.com/

International School of Solid State

Physics

PV,

Solar,

Grid

13-19 July Erice,

Italy

https://agenda.ct.infn.it/event/1192/ov

erview

EUREC Masters Starting Day All 7 Oct Brussels,

Belgium www.master.eurec.be

EUREC Alumni Forum All 8 Oct Brussels,

Belgium www.master.eurec.be

EUREC Masters

Presentation Days All 13-14 Dec

Brussels,

Belgium www.master.eurec.be

NEXT ISSUE Issue 24: June 2016 - Deadline for contributions: June 15th

For any suggestion or contribution to our newsletter,

please contact Nathalie Richet

EUREC

Place du Champ de Mars 2 – 1050 Brussels - Belgium