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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - OPTIFUEL (Smart and reliable solid biofuel quality control solution)

Teaser

Summary

Solid biofuel quality varies significantly depending on the fuel type, source and how it has been handled and stored. These quality variations cause additional costs to power plants and increase emissions in the whole bioenergy production chain. The efficiency of bioenergy production can be improved with a reliable real-time data on biofuel quality, especially on moisture and foreign matter content. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions will decrease and bioenergy production will be more competitive.

The specific objectives of the OPTIFUEL project are:
- Demonstrations in field environment at customer premises in the chosen new markets;
- Finalisation of the user interface of the comprehensive OPTIFUEL solution;
- Performance verification and certification to backup and confirm customer value;
- Communication of the value-added to the potential customers, partners and the general public;
- Ramp-up of production and launch of global marketing and sales of the OPTIFUEL solution.

As a conclusion all planned actions were accomplished according the project plan. Project was in budget although the project time had to be extende for three months. The need for OPTIFUEL solution was proved and Inray continues growing profitably.

Work performed

All demonstration systems were in operation already in the first reporting period. During the second period demonstration systems were running continuously. Demonstrations were successful.

The first integrated user interface was introduced in February 2017. During the second reporting period new modules were developed : silo and storage models, fuel type detection and boiler feeding control.

Formal verification and third-party certification of the OPTIFUEL technology was done by independent professional bodies for the highest industry standards and requirements. Verification process included comprehensive field tests at the demonstration power plant. Customer value for the entire logistic value was also studied by a third party. Results confirms the benefits of the OPTIFUEL solution.

Communicating with potential customers and partners was done actively from the beginning of the project. Over one hundred companies were contacted and face-to-face meetings were arranged with thirty companies in Sweden, Denmark, France, Spain and Portugal. OPTIFUEL was also in introduced in exhibitions and industry meetings in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Portugal and Spain. In depth co-operation was started with Protacon Group in May 2018 when they came as a co-owner of the Inray.

Go-to-market actions were done as planned. Market studies were made based on face-to-face meetings, products and services were designed by markets, pricing model was updated, distribution plan was made and co-operation was started with new partners. In 2017 Inray established a daughter company Inray Technologies SL to Spain. Co-operation with Protacon Group has be giving Inray more resources to expand business to new markets such as China and USA.

Final results

The goal was to realize the global market opportunity related to a real-time solid biofuels quality control and optimization solution created by Inray Ltd.

The real-time monitoring of fuel quality at one or more critical stages of the fuel handling chain enables better fuel sorting, storing, mixing, feeding and precise combustion in the boiler.

Demonstrations proved that significant improvements to bioenergy production can be achieved with OPTIFUEL solution.