The Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences

The Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST) with around 3800 students and around 1500 employees in teaching, research, services, administration, and management.

In total, more than 1000 research projects are currently being carried out across all six departments in collaboration with institutions and companies. OST is participating in the REVEAL project in partnership with the Institute of Environmental and Process Engineering (UMTEC) and the Institute for Solar Technology (SPF). 

SPF, as a partner institute of OST, was the first organization to envision the use of aluminum as a seasonal storage solution for combined heat and electricity production in residential buildings and this know-how is being utilized in the REVEAL project’s activities.

ROLE IN THE PROJECT

As the technical coordination of the REVEAL project lies with OST, the role in the project is associated with many work packages. However, most of the work can be allocated to either the system analysis or the Al-to-Energy conversion.

In the area of system analysis, simulations are carried out to answer research questions regarding the economic and ecological benefits of using an Al-to-Energy-CHP unit. Furthermore, the partial load capability of the Power-to-Al process is being investigated and a market analysis of grid services and grid stabilization measures is being carried out.

In the field of Al-to-Energy conversion, OST in cooperation with UMTEC is investigating the conditions under which the reaction takes place optimally and how this can be described using mathematical formulae. Based on this research, SPF develops and constructs a 4 kW Al-to-Energy prototype. The prototype is then tested in various experiments. The results of the experiments are used to determine conversion efficiencies and assess the concept's feasibility.