REGEN-BY-2 Final Public Report (D1.3)

REGEN-BY-2 developed and tested the scientific and engineering foundations of a first-of-its-kind renewable multi-generation technology enabled by two-phase fluid machines. The project advanced a patented TRL2 concept towards the TRL4 laboratory-validation stage by creating the thermodynamic models, working-fluid route, plant configuration, control architecture, two-phase compressor and expander knowledge base, laboratory setup and preliminary integrated testing evidence required for further development.

The project addressed the simultaneous production of electricity, heating and cooling from renewable or recovered thermal sources. At system level, WP2 defined the design-point, off-design and dynamic modelling framework. At component level, WP3 and WP4 generated experimental and modelling evidence for two-phase scroll expanders and compressors. At the plant level, WP5 prepared the experimental infrastructure at University of Pisa (UNIPI) premises, while WP6 provided preliminary integrated testing and first model-validation evidence. WP7 and WP8 complemented the technical work with environmental, market, TRL9, dissemination, business-model and exploitation analyses.

A central result is the evidence chain supporting the TRL4 objective. The two-phase machine work produced laboratory-level validation and operating knowledge for the key enabling components. The integrated laboratory platform was prepared and preliminary experimental operation provided initial evidence of system behaviour. Further extended testing remains important for a complete performance and reliability assessment, but the project has established the laboratory basis needed for the next development stages.

The public report deliberately avoids reproducing confidential geometries, detailed maps, raw experimental data, supplier-specific design information or commercially sensitive choices. Where possible, technical explanations are supported by open scientific publications on working-fluid selection, two-phase scroll compressors, R1233zd(E) as working fluid with polyol ester (POE) as lubricant, thermophysical properties, off-design performance and CFD modelling of two-phase scroll machines. 

At the end of the project, the integrated laboratory platform had reached the commissioning stage: the main subsystems had been assembled and prepared for operation, enabling preliminary functional checks and providing the basis for the subsequent integrated experimental campaign. On this basis, the project consolidated the laboratory validation pathway towards TRL4, while full performance and reliability assessment of the complete integrated setup remains a necessary next step.