Business from technology

Development of materials for emerging energy technologies

Competence

VTT possesses a wide range expertise on different energy conversion processes and applications including biomass, wind, nuclear and fuel cells.VTT materials know-how comprises tailoring of nanostructured materials, functional materials and coatings, materials for harsh environments, biomaterials, natural fibre-based materials as well as monitoring and modelling of material performance in different applications.
Our strength is the combination of basic material science with the application know-how to add value to the customer products and processes.

Challenges

• Sustainable energy production (and efficient end use) to mitigate climate change
  
• Efficiency and durability improvement of renewable energy technologies like biofuels, wind and solar by the application of material science.
  
• Energy storage and smart grids for distributed production of development of processes and equipment with improved efficiency.
  
• Carbon capture and storage (CCS) for fossil power plants.
  
• High temperatures and neutron fluxes in generation 4 fission and nuclear fusion reactors.
  
• Durability and cost of efficient end-use technologies, e.g. insulation, heat pumps, heat exchangers
  
• Production, transmission, storage and conversion of hydrogen, the ultimate clean fuel.
  
• Durability and cost of efficient end use technologies, e.g. insulation, heat pumps, heat exchangers
  
• Production, transmission, storage and conversion of hydrogen, the ultimate clean fuel.
  

Solutions

• Tailored materials and coatings for biomass and oxyfuel combustion, gasification and pyrolysis.
  
• Light weight and adaptable structures and components for arctic and off shore wind power.
  
• Nanomaterials for batteries and fuel cells.
  
• High strength and low activation steels for light weight structures and nuclear applications.
  
• Roll-to-roll processing of photovoltaics, batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells and thermoelectrics.
  
• Modelling, monitoring and evaluation of material performance (e.g. corrosion, creep, fatigue, activation) in all the applications.