The new test centre will give European Energy and DTU insights on the potential of the next generation of technical equipment harvesting energy from the sun. European Energy has financed the construction of the test centre at DTU’s Risø Campus and is also funding several research projects at the new test centre.
Knud Erik Andersen, CEO of European Energy, said: “European Energy views this as a prime example of how industry and universities can work together to the mutual benefit of both sides. In this project, European Energy gets the opportunity to collect exact data that we can use in our utility scale solar projects all over the world, while the researchers get access to a solar park with the newest hardware in their own backyard.”
Anders Overgaard Bjarklev, President of DTU, said: “We look forward to working with European Energy, as it is more important than ever, that researchers and businesses come together to solve the world’s energy challenges. At DTU we sense the growing demand for research and competences within solar energy. That is one of the reasons why we recently launched Denmark’s first study programme in solar energy. Having the test centre at DTU Risø Campus will provide even better opportunities to do research in the field of solar and to educate engineers who will acquire the most up-to-date knowledge and therefore be able to meet the needs of the industry.”
The test centre is the only one of its kind in Europe. In the coming years, tests of the newest solar cell technologies combined with various tracker structures and energy storage technologies will be conducted at the centre. One of the technologies being tested is bi-facial solar panels that absorb energy on both sides of the panel.
“With the data we get from the test centre, we will be able to see the exact value of the new technologies and test new opportunities and combinations. This opens up new opportunities for research, but also commercial knowledge that can be used in future energy projects. In the end that will result in cheaper green energy for the consumers,” Knud Erik Andersen said.
The construction of the test centre has been completed and right now the final adjustments are being made before the research will commence. The centre will be officially inaugurated by Lars Chr. Lilleholt, Danish Minister for Energy, Utilities and Climate, on 12 October.
