nir-vana innovation network

The Swedish company, started in 2018, is developing a new hydraulic actuator together with a university, which is a leader in hydraulics in Sweden. The technology is characterized by very long strokes (up to 7-8 m), cost-effective, compact system solutions with very small oil volumes. The company works with applications of technology in solar energy (CSP and PV) but also in agriculture, aviation and logistics.

A flexible drill and planter row spacing demonstrator based on the technology has been tested successfully. The technology has been tested extensively and an academic dissertation has been written about the technology. It is also protected by several patents.

The product is based on well-known, robust and cost-effective standard components (COTS) for hydraulics. The technology is characterized by very slow movements and high accuracy, and is therefore well suited as an actuator for two-axis solar trackers and heliostats.

The innovation has been developed and lab tested for different applications and now the SME is set to develop the product further with the right partners and preparing for commercialization. The SME would like to find a partner working with renewable energy and mainly solar trackers and heliostats where the use of the SMEs innovation could provide advantages in the construction of the solar trackers and heliostats and by that increasing the efficiency of the solar panels capturing the sunbeams and converting it to solar energy.

The SME is open for different types of collaborations depending on the partner, such as: licensing agreement, manufacturing agreement, joint venture, research or technolgy cooperation. The desired partner is a company that manufactures and/or installs the construction of solar trackers and heliostats.

Advantages & innovations

This new patented low-cost actuator technology, is characterized by very slow movements and high accuracy, represents a completely new actuator technology. It can handle high forces generated on large solar panels and heliostats at high wind speeds. The characteristics of the actuator are the uniquely long strokes (up to 7-8 m), compact and light actuator solutions. The actuator can be implemented in demanding environments; high/low temperature, humidity, dust, vibration, shock loads, etc. Today's electro-mechanical actuators are a major cost driver in solar trackers and heliostats. In comparison with conventional hydraulic and electromechanical actuators, the SMEs new technology can offer shorter, more compact and more easily placed actuator solutions with long strokes. Furthermore, the technology does not have problems with backlash which gives directional inaccuracies, which is common in heliostat applications. The technology is based on well-known, robust, cost-effective standard components, is light and material-efficient and has also high operational reliability. A major cost driver in the design of large heliostats and solar panels with solar followers are loads and vibrations that the wind gives rise to on structure. These problems are common when operating with azimuth elevation-based actuators with electro-mechanical drive. One way to deal with these problems and obtain stable but still light, large structural solutions is to build solar tracker and heliostats on three legs with a short pedestals with the new long-stroke actuator technology developed by the SME. There are electro-mechanical actuators for linear movement but these have a limited stroke and can't take full of advantage of a three legs solution. These drive systems also have problems with play, which in turn gives directional inaccuracies. With this new actuator technology, large solar panels and heliostats can be built more robustly, cost-effectively and with lower weight.

Stage of development

Field tested/evaluated

Partner sought

The company is looking for partners active in the renewable energy industry and with experience in actuator technologies, but without the capacity to produce the technology themselves. The company is aiming towards developing market leading actuators for dual solar tracker and heliostats technologies. Therefore, the company is now looking for a new cooperation with a developing and/or a manufacturing partner of solar trackers and heliostats. The SME is open for different types of agreements and collaborations depending on the potential partner, such as: licensing agreement, manufacturing agreement, joint venture, research or technolgy cooperation. Regarding the targeted market, two main segments and sale channels are envisaged for the product; the first is through solar installers (B2B) for utility systems. The second is for heliostat projects. The partner should preferably have developed products in the past.