National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec)

Narec (National Renewable Energy Centre)
Type Not for Profit
Industry Renewable Energy
Energy Efficiency
Founded 2002
Founder(s) One North East
Headquarters Blyth, UK
Key people Andrew Mill (CEO)
Services Prototype Development
Certification
Energy Consultancy
Divisions Distributed Energy
Wind & Marine
Electrical Networks
Subsidiaries Narec Development Services Limited (NDSL)
Narec Capital
Website www.narec.co.uk

Narec (National Renewable Energy Centre) is a UK centre for renewable energy and low carbon technologies. The centre develops prototypes, tests renewable devices to international standards, and is involved in installing low carbon technologies. It is very similar to other centres, such as NREL in the US[1] and National Centre for Renewable Energies (CENER) in Spain. Narec is based in Blyth, Northumberland.

Contents

History

Originally known as NaREC (New and Renewable Energy Centre), the centre was created in 2002 by One NorthEast, the North East Regional Development Agency, as part of the Strategy for Success programme.[2]. In 2010 the organisation changed its name to Narec (National Renewable Energy Centre)[3].

Operations

Narec is involved in the following sectors:

Photovoltaics

Narec Solar carry out a large amount of research using their Photovoltaic Technology Centre (PVTC). The majority of research is based around laser grooved silicon cells and concentrator photovoltaics, with additional work on coloured photovoltaic cells[4]. As well as being involved in public funded research and development Narec Solar manufactures silicon based concentrator cells, niche modules and also carries out private industrial research and development. One current area of specilisation is in copper plating of silicon solar cells.

Published papers on photovoltaics include:

Also, Narec carry out a large amount of feasibility studies on photovoltaics for various customers[9].

Electrical Networks

In Narec's Clothier Laboratory the organisation was involved in high voltage testing. Work involved carrying out comprehensive testing and analysis services for transmission network operators, distribution network operators and manufacturers of electrical power equipment and accessories. Customers included National Grid plc[10]. Although Clothier is now closed some of these capabilities are now based in Blyth[11].

Energy Strategies

Narec work with local authorities to design and carry out energy strategies. They have also released tools, such as the Microrenewables Toolkit, which can be downloaded from the company's website[12].

Training

Narec run accredited installer and designer courses for photovoltaics, solar thermal and air source heat pumps systems.[13]. Narec is a cluster partner of the North East England hub for the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies[14].

Also, Narec have now started carrying out training for offshore wind technicians[15].

Low Carbon Transport

Narec have been involved in the North East Plugged in Places project, which has resulted in a large number of electric vehicle charging posts being installed in North East England[16]. Additionally, Narec has been trialling the CUE-V electric car[17].

Narec are part of a project looking at low carbon solutions for cargo ships known as Inomanship[18].

Marine Renewables

Narec carry out small scale testing of marine renewable devices, such as the wave device Trident[19] and the tidal device Evopod[20]. New marine testing facilities are currently under construction.

Small Scale Wind Testing

Narec carry out testing of small wind turbines, in accordance with IEC 61400-25, and in 2010 accredited Evoco's 10kW system[21].

Heat Pumps

There is currently a research project with Northumbria University and Narec collaborating to design a new methodology to test heat pumps[22].

Low Carbon Housing

Narec helped design and worked on the energy strategy of the Reed Street Carbon Negative development of 21 dwellings in South Shields[23].

Offshore Wind

Finally, Narec are involved in blade testing for wind turbines. The organisation is currently building new offshore wind testing facilities.[24][25][26][27].

Closed Facilities

Clothier High Voltage Laboratory

The Clothier Electrical Testing Laboratory was opened in 1970 by A. Reyrolle & Company. Narec took over the facility in 2004. The reason it was of interest to the renewable energy organisation was to use it to test the robustness of electrical infrastructure offshore locations to onshore sites, as well as to big load centres in the centre of the UK[28].

Although one of the only high voltage testing facilities in the world, and completely unique in the UK, the facility was closed by Narec in 2011 due to a lack of government funding[29].

Current facilities

Photovoltaic Technology Centre

Narec's Photovoltaic Technology Centre (PVTC) was created when Narec took over BP Solar's staff and assets[30]. PVTC has taken part in a number of large European Seventh Framework Programme projects.

These are: ASPIS - A project based on a novel Parallactic Tracking technology concept that supports flat, fixed solar panels with internal concentration and dynamic suntracking[31]. APOLLON - A project to develop High Concentration Point Focus and Dense Array Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) systems based on monolithic and discrete multijunction technology with a final target cost of 2 €/Wp[32]. 20plus - A project for the development of extra thin silicon solar cells[33].

Charles Parsons Technology Centre

Built in 2004, this £5m facility contains a low voltage electrical laboratory for the testing of connecting renewable energy systems to the transmission and distribution grid[34]. Some of the equipment and staff from the closed Narec Clothier Electrical Testing Laboratory were moved to this facility[35]

Training Centre

The Training Centre is a retrofitted 19th Century terraced house. The technologies retroffitted on are; internal insualtion cladding, photovoltaics, solar thermal panel, a heat pump and low energy LED lights. The centre is used to train installers for these technologies[36].

Training Tower

This is a 27m high tower, for training of offshore wind technicians[37].

Dry Docks

Narec tests marine devices with three modified dry docks[38].

Tidal Testing Facility

The Tees Barrage Tidal Turbine Test Facility, Located in Stockton, was opened in 2007. Narec claimed to be the only independent large scale tidal testing facility for device prototypes in Europe[39].

Wave Flume

A simulated wave environment for the testing of prototype wave energy generation devices[40].

Blade Test I

The blade testing facilities at Narec are designed to test wind turbine blades up to 50m in length. Blades are tested using a Compact Resonant Mass (CRM) system. Narec is working on a technique of blade testing known as "Dual Axis".

New Facilities

Narec is currently building new facilities. These are[41]:

Fujin

A 15MW drive train test stand for wind turbines.

Nautilus

A 3MW drive train test stand for tidal energy generators.

Offshore Demonstrator

An offshore wind farm for testing whole wind turbines.

Blade Test II

A blade test facility for testing blades up to 100m in length.

European Funded Research

Narec is involved in a number of European Collaborative Seventh Framework Programme projects, the majority of which are photovoltaic technology based. These are either match funded or 75% funded, with the rest of Narec's finance coming from Narec itself. The projects are:

Short Name Full Name Technology Total European Funding for Whole Consortium
LAB2LINE From the laboratory to the production Line[42] photovoltaics €1.27 million
APOLLON Multi-approach for high efficiency integrated and intelligent concentrating PV modules (systems)[43] photovoltaics €9 million
20PLμS 20 percent efficiency on less than 100 µm thick industrially feasible c-Si solar cells[44] photovoltaics €8.26 million
MARINET Marine Renewables Infrastructure Network for Emerging Energy Technologies[45] Wind, Wave and Tidal €4.88 million
SNAPPER The development of a novel rare-earth magnet based wave power conversion system - Snapper[46] Wave €1.39 million
INTESUSAL Demonstration of integrated and sustainable enclosed raceway and photobioreactor microalgae cultivation with biodiesel production and validation[47] Algae Biofuels €5 million
HIPRWIND High Power, high Reliability offshore wind technology[48] Offshore Wind €11.02 million
INOMANS²HIP INOvative Energy MANagement System for Cargo SHIP[49] photovoltaics and wind €2.18 million
ASPIS Active solar panel initiative[50] Photovoltaics €2.88 million
Total €45.88 million

Conferences and Papers

Narec staff have written papers which have appeared in journals and international energy conferences. These are mainly in the subjects of photovoltaics, wind, marine, and electrical infrastructure. A short list of some of these is given below:

References

  1. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk
  2. ^ http://www.strategyforsuccess.info/page/news/article.cfm?articleId=1400
  3. ^ http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/national-renewable-energy-centre
  4. ^ http://concentrating-pv.org/.../IV-14-COLE-Bremerhaven-CPV-FINALx.pdf
  5. ^ http://www.apollon-eu.org/Assets/0535.pdf
  6. ^ http://eprints.ncl.ac.uk/pub_details2.aspx?pub_id=154484
  7. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/pdf/Study_on_Laser_Parameters.pdf
  8. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/pdf/SILICON_SOLAR_CELLS.pdf
  9. ^ http://www.ukti.gov.uk/download/.../Narec%20Case%20Study.pdf.html
  10. ^ http://tdworld.com/substations/power_narec_national_grid/
  11. ^ http://www.blythbusinessforum.co.uk/blogs/narec-move-electrical-networks-business-to-blyth.html
  12. ^ http://www.gatewaynortheast.co.uk/news/renewables-green/2/narec-launches-toolkit-to-optimise-sustainable-developments.htm
  13. ^ http://www.berez.org.uk/news/47/renewables-festival
  14. ^ http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/supplements/north-east-vision/autumn2011/2011/09/08/narec-supports-the-growth-of-the-microrenewables-industry-51140-29427864/
  15. ^ http://blyth.journallive.co.uk/2010/03/narec-turbine-training-tower-p.html
  16. ^ http://www.cars21.com/content/articles/25220100226.php
  17. ^ http://www.futuretransportsystems.co.uk/news/2010/11/the-launch-of-switch-ev.aspx
  18. ^ http://www.thefreelibrary.com/University%27s+experts+are+on+board+for+green+study.-a0255630658
  19. ^ http://renews.biz/story.php?page_id=71&news_id=533
  20. ^ http://www.oceanflowenergy.com/news1.html
  21. ^ http://teesdale.planning-register.co.uk/.../11.0212.summary%20test%20report.pdf
  22. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/DE/Air_Source_Heat_Pumps_.pdf
  23. ^ http://www.ukti.gov.uk/uktihome/item/142420.html
  24. ^ http://www.nawindpower.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.8207
  25. ^ http://www.onenortheast.com/page/news/article.cfm?articleId=4863
  26. ^ http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/1801039/narec-reveals-plans-giant-turbine-blade-testing-facility
  27. ^ http://www.wig.co.uk/NAREC
  28. ^ http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2010/05/13/narec-in-advanced-talks-on-wind-turbine-tests-51140-26434889/2/
  29. ^ http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/business/latest-news/plug_could_be_pulled_on_testing_lab_1_3230372
  30. ^ http://www.connect2ideas.com/MagazineArticle/tabid/115/key/f1e0c8a9-83f4-40e9-98c4-d88e5bb1abc2/Default.aspx
  31. ^ http://www.aspisproject.eu/index.html
  32. ^ http://www.apollon-eu.org
  33. ^ http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=12&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=012c744fffd9:dde7:148d2f67&RCN=96221
  34. ^ http://www.onenortheast.co.uk/page/news/article.cfm?articleId=685
  35. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk/electrical_networks_info/
  36. ^ http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2011/04/14/new-training-centre-opened-at-narec-in-blyth-51140-28519679/
  37. ^ http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/8202/narecs-wind-turbine-training-tower-ready-for-use/
  38. ^ http://www.newspostleader.co.uk/news/local/new_boss_takes_over_at_narec_1_1614191
  39. ^ http://www.maritimejournal.com/features101/marine-civils/marine-renewable-energy/tidal_energy_test_centre_to_open
  40. ^ http://www.scribd.com/doc/53702103/Marine-Renewable-Energy
  41. ^ http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/9909/narec-becomes-national-renewable-energy-testing-and-training-hub/
  42. ^ http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0133c2f953d9:f601:217ba418&RCN=88272
  43. ^ http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0133c2f953d9:f601:217ba418&RCN=88272
  44. ^ http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=3&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0133c2f953d9:f601:217ba418&RCN=96221
  45. ^ http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=2&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0133c2f953d9:f601:217ba418&RCN=98372
  46. ^ http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=4&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0133c2f953d9:f601:217ba418&RCN=91915
  47. ^ http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=5&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0133c2f953d9:f601:217ba418&RCN=100473
  48. ^ http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=6&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0133c2f953d9:f601:217ba418&RCN=96223
  49. ^ http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=7&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0133c2f953d9:f601:217ba418&RCN=98835
  50. ^ http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=8&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0133c2f953d9:f601:217ba418&RCN=89736
  51. ^ http://www.snapperfp7.eu/content/download/3176/48090/version/1/file/569309f66625676599b4b79a2547f9a3.pdf
  52. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/pdf/wmtc2006programmefinal.pdf
  53. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/pdf/36703.pdf
  54. ^ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022460X1100157X
  55. ^ http://digital-library.theiet.org/getabs/servlet/GetabsServlet?prog=normal&id=IEECPS0020080CP538000747000001&idtype=cvips&gifs=Yes&ref=no
  56. ^ http://www.supergen-wind.org.uk/Phase1/docs/Court,%20Ridley,%20Jones,%20Bonnet%20and%20Dutton-17ICCM2009.pdf
  57. ^ http://www.taplondon.co.uk/bweaoffshore/files/RichardCourt.pdf
  58. ^ http://www.bwea30.com/pdf/BWEA30Programme.pdf
  59. ^ http://cired.ir/CIRED2011/papers/CIRED2011_0030_final.pdf
  60. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/Published_Papers/ICOE2010_Nautilus_Paper_Jamie_Grimwade.pdf
  61. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/Published_Papers/2010_PVSAT6_-_LGBC_Silicon_Solar_Cell_with_modified_bus_bar_suitable_for_high_volume_wire_bonding.pdf
  62. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/Published_Papers/2010_PVSAT6_-_Process_and_device_modelling_for_enhancement_of_silicon_solar_cell_efficiency.pdf
  63. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/pdf/An_Intelligent_Approach_to_the_Condition_Monitoring_of.pdf
  64. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/pdf/Chris_Ebden.pdf
  65. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/pdf/Study_on_Laser_Parameters.pdf
  66. ^ http://b-dig.iie.org.mx/BibDig/P05-0850/pdffiles/papers/157_666.pdf
  67. ^ http://www.pvsat.org.uk/PVSAT-4%20_Programme_Final.pdf
  68. ^ http://www.casaccia.enea.it/sicri/uk/articoli/fr-0810.htm
  69. ^ http://direct.bl.uk/bld/PlaceOrder.do?UIN=252844816&ETOC=RN&from=searchengine
  70. ^ http://www.pvsat.org.uk/PVSAT-4%20_Programme_Final.pdf
  71. ^ http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=4922438
  72. ^ http://www.eupvsec-proceedings.com/proceedings?paper=2544
  73. ^ http://www.eupvsec-proceedings.com/proceedings?char=F&paper=3057
  74. ^ http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/Published_Papers/2CV_1_71.pdf
  75. ^ http://direct.bl.uk/bld/PlaceOrder.do?UIN=252844556&ETOC=RN&from=searchengine
  76. ^ http://www.eupvsec-proceedings.com/proceedings?paper=4826
  77. ^ http://www.ncl.ac.uk/eece/research/groups/etm/etm-pv.htm
  78. ^ http://www.photovoltaicsinternational.com/technical_papers/screen_printing_in_laser_grooved_buried_contact_solar_cells_the_lab2line_hy
  79. ^ http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2009SuMi...45..234C
  80. ^ http://cpfd.cnki.com.cn/Article/CPFDTOTAL-ZGTN200510001244.htm
  81. ^ http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=4059759
  82. ^ http://www.eurosun2006.org/Annex6_ES06_Book-of-Abstracts.pdf
  83. ^ http://p12611.typo3server.info/.../21st_EU_PVSEC_Proceedings_Table_of..
  84. ^ http://www.mendeley.com/research/laser-grooved-buried-contact-solar-cells-concentration-factors-up-100x/
  85. ^ http://www.docstoc.com/docs/28414011/FRONT-CONTACT-MODELLING-OF-MONOCRYSTALLINE-SILICON-LASER-GROOVED
  86. ^ http://www.concentrating-pv.org/marburg2007/program.html
  87. ^ http://direct.bl.uk/bld/PlaceOrder.do?UIN=210086818&ETOC=RN&from=searchengine
  88. ^ http://www.eupvsec-proceedings.com/proceedings?char=F&paper=6074
  89. ^ http://www.apollon-eu.org/results.htm
  90. ^ http://www.docstoc.com/search/process-development-of-shape-and-colour-in-lgbc-solar-cells-for
  91. ^ http://www.eupvsec-proceedings.com/proceedings?paper=4323
  92. ^ http://ebookbrowse.com/2010-pvsat6-process-and-device-modelling-for-enhancement-of-silicon-solar-cell-efficiency-pdf-d58707908
  93. ^ http://www.concentrating-pv.org/darmstadt2009/papers.html
  94. ^ http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=5411295

External links

Generating
sites
Active
Proposed/Future
Active
Closed
Berwick upon Tweed · Blyth · Carville · Chopwell Colliery · Close · Consett · Darlington · Derwenthaugh Coke Works · Dunston · Forth Banks · Hebburn · Horden Colliery · Lemington · Mainsforth Colliery · Manors · Morrison Busty Colliery · Neptune Bank · Newburn Steelworks · North Tees · Ouston Colliery · Pandon Dene · Philadelphia · South Shore Road · South Shields · Stella · Sunderland · Vane Tempest Colliery · Whinfield
Proposed/Future
Eston Grange (Gasification)
Refused/Shelved
Active
Proposed/Future
ConocoPhillips Teesside · Thor Cogeneration
Refused
Active
Closed
Active
Refused
Active
Active
Teesside · Path Head landfill
Closed
Future
Refused
Active
Blyth Harbour · Blyth Offshore · Broom Hill · Great Eppleton · Hare Hill · High Sharpley · High Volts · Holmside Hall · Kirkheaton · Langley Park · Tow Law · Trimdon Grange · Walkway · West Durham
Future
Blyth Harbour (repowering) · Butterwick Moor · Great Eppleton (repowering) · Haswell Moor · Kiln Pit Hill · Lynemouth · Royal Oak · Teesside
Proposed
Barmoor South · Green Rigg · Kielder · Moorsyde · Ray Hill · South Sharpley · Steadings · Teeswind North · The Isles · Todd Hill · West Ancroft · Wingates
Organisations
and personnel