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nolla_E in the Enhance Europe Project
nolla_E is participating in the Enhance Europe project, supported by CETPartnership and Business Finland. The project’s goal is to develop an innovative system that collects and converts solar energy for practical use. This system utilizes asphalt collectors embedded beneath road surfaces to capture heat from solar radiation. The harvested heat can then be transferred to a fluid, such as water, and used for domestic hot water production or building heating. By doing so, the project reduces the reliance on fossil fuels and promotes more sustainable energy consumption.
The project consortium consists of the University of Padova (Italy), the Fraunhofer IWU (Germany), Centre de Recerca Matematica (Spain), VSB-Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic), Riga Technical University (Latvia), Slovak University of Technology of Bratislava (Slovakia), Romanian Energy Center (Romania), BEIA Cercetare, (Romania), Arcelik (Turkey), and from Finland, nolla_E and our close partner, University of Vaasa.
Asphalt collectors as part of cleaner energy production
The main goal of the Enhance Europe project is to design and explore ways to develop an innovative asphalt heat collection system embedded under the flexible pavement of roads. These collectors are structures placed within the pavement layers to extract heat from solar radiation. The collected heat is then converted into renewable energy, which can support the energy supply of buildings located near roads. This approach helps lower road surface temperatures, creates more comfortable urban areas, and mitigates the urban heat island effect, especially during summer. Additionally, the system’s installation can be seamlessly integrated into city environments without disrupting cultural heritage sites.
nolla_E’s role in the project
nolla_E’s role in the project focuses on the following key areas:
- We are designing together with the project consortium a new type of asphalt collector for modeling and testing, as well as conducting energy modeling in our nolla_E software.
- We are enhancing the simulation model within the software with validated test data and ensuring that simulations align with real-world tests conducted in different geographical locations.
- We are focusing on the economic modeling of the improved asphalt collector across various geographical regions using the nolla_E software.
Innovative solutions for sustainable urban development
The Enhance Europe project is a significant step toward integrating clean energy solutions into the built environment. It provides a way to reuse solar radiation absorbed by transport infrastructures, supporting the long-term sustainability of both buildings and cities. Moreover, the project enables large buildings such as shopping malls, terminals, and parking areas to reduce their energy consumption and operational costs by transferring heat from pavements to buildings.
AI-powered energy modeling for maximum efficiency
nolla_E brings its expertise in energy efficiency and financial modeling to the project. Our AI-powered software can evaluate thousands of energy efficiency improvement combinations, identifying the most cost-effective solutions for each site. This ensures that the project outcomes are both environmentally friendly and economically viable.
Towards a more sustainable future
With the Enhance Europe project, we are taking a significant step towards a more sustainable future by implementing innovative energy solutions that bridge technology and environmental responsibility. Through collaboration with international partners, we aim to develop solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
Learn more about the details in the project consortium’s official page.
This research was funded by CETPartnership under the Joint Call 2023. The CETPartnership’s projects are co-funded by the European Commission and the national funding organizations listed on the CETPartnership website.