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The French company Base Innovation has developed an agricultural dryer that works with hybrid thermal-photovoltaic solar panels.
Base Innovation has developed an agricultural dryer powered by PVT solar panels.
CogenAir panels are photovoltaic modules that have an integrated heat recovery system. The module uses a heat exchanger that recovers the heat released at the back of the panels for thermal uses such as heating or drying. This heat extraction also increases electrical efficiency by preventing overheating of the PV system. According to the company, the gain in terms of peak power can reach up to 10%.
The company has developed an intelligent regulation system that acts on the speed of the fans depending on the humidity level of the heated air. This improves drying while limiting the consumption of the installation. The solution also makes it possible to remotely monitor the operation of the dryer and optimize its production.
Supported by the French energy agency Ademe, the system has been patented since 2013 and has mobilized more than 500,000 euros ($551,000) in R&D in the last 10 years.
Base Innovation currently offers your solution to design or renovate agricultural dryers for bulk drying, bale drying, flat drying or container drying. In practice, the panels are integrated into a ventilation infrastructure with a management system that optimizes the operation of the dryer.
“We have carried out tests in other sectors of activity”, explains Benoît Michenot, representative of the company, to pv magazine . “Our solution is interesting for reducing the mass of water and thus lowering the treatment cost per ton, but the seasonal limitations inherent to solar energy and low-temperature drying technology have limited opportunities in this industry, until now.”
Michenot says that solar dryers offer low-temperature drying that affects the value of the final product.
“The grass can have the same nutritional value as the cereal to feed the animals, as long as it is dried under the right conditions,” he said. “This also leaves room for the development of micro-food chains.”
The company already has 60 solar dryers in operation in France. |
