Stefano Briola

Biography

Stefano received his M.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2007 (with honours) and PhD in Electric-Thermal Energy Engineering in 2015, both from University of Pisa (Italy). He began his research on zero CO2 emissions power plants by coal autoignition in supercritical water (SCW) and pure oxygen (Supercritical Water Oxidation, SCWO) during his M.S. thesis in Mechanical Engineering at the ENEL Research Center of Pisa (Italy). In particular, he elaborated a detailed and complex model (by the software Mathcad) of the coal particle autoignition process in the fluid SCW/O2, demonstrating that this process begins to occur in a short time for low temperature values. Then, he carried out the modelling and simulation of the SCWO plant in steady state conditions by the software Aspen varying several process parameters. After he received a Research Fellowship on medium enthalpy geothermal power plants at the Department of Energetic of University of Pisa (Italy). In particular, he performed the modelling and simulation (by the software Aspen) of a power plant with binary thermodynamic cycle, operating with medium enthalpy geothermal source and working fluid R134a circulating in a transcritical Rankine cycle with “shell&tube” vapor generator and “forced draft” air condenser. He also worked a short time as Proposal Engineer at Fores Engineering in Forlì (Italy) in the field of oil&gas. Then he worked as R&D Engineer at Energy Resources S.p.A. (Italy), where he was involved in low enthalpy geothermal plants for space conditioning (heating, cooling): i) in collaboration with the Department of Energetic of University of Pisa (Italy), he implemented a mathematical model, based on the ASHRAE criteria, in a software in Matlab environment for the design of patented probes with vertical axis and spiral shaped; ii) he planned and coordinated a R&D team for design/construction of a prototype to carry out the “Thermal Response Test” (TRT) on vertical probes and also for elaboration of a calculation code in Matlab environment for the analysis of the data monitored by TRT, in order to determine some soil thermal properties. Moreover, he coordinated a team for the execution of TRT in situ at several customers. Furthermore, he planned and coordinated a R&D team for design/construction of a PVT prototype in order to simultaneously produce electric and thermal powers. In particular, the PVT prototype, constituted by the integration of a water heat exchanger (specifically designed and built) with a commercialized PV panel, allowed to increase the electric efficiency of the same PV panel. During his Electric-Thermal Energy Engineering PhD at the Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Constructions Engineering of University of Pisa (Italy), Stefano was involved on novel thermodynamic trigeneration (CCHP) cycles operating with two-phase fluid expanders and two-phase fluid compressors (TPC). In particular, he carried out the modelling and simulation of the TPC in steady state conditions demonstrating that: i) the TPC are able to simultaneously supply heating, cooling and electric powers to the end-user (in absence of surplus or deficit of the produced powers) in a higher range than the commercialized CCHP systems; ii) the energy performance indicators in some operative conditions are higher in the TPC than the commercialized CCHP systems. On this topic, Stefano filed an Italian patent application. He also received two Research Fellowships on Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) plants at the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering of University of Pisa (Italy), moreover this research was performed in collaboration with ENEL SpA Engineering and Research (Italy). In particular, he implemented a novel detailed mathematical model in a software in Matlab environment for the simulation of different CAES configurations at constant volume (diabatic, adiabatic with liquid or solid heat storage and hybrid, also with underground or overground air storage site) in presence or absence of the throttling valves in charging and discharging circuits. Finally, on 16.11.2016, he received a completely favorable written opinion by the European Patent Office (EPO) about the Italian patent pending with title “Apparatus and method for electric and/or mechanical power supply, thermal and/or cooling power supply”. The subject of the present invention is a plant and respective method for the supply of electric power and/or mechanical power and simultaneously thermal power and/or cooling power to an end-user by making use of a single working fluid suitable to absorb the thermal power transferred by a heat source. The unique configuration of the plant and respective method have very higher flexibility than the current CCHP plants, namely they are able to simultaneously supply the electric (or mechanical), thermal and cooling powers requested by the end-user in absence or deficit of the powers produced in very high ranges. Moreover, the plant and respective method have higher thermodynamic performance indicators than the current CCHP plants, namely they allow a saving of the thermal power transferred by a heat source with the same electric, thermal and cooling powers supplied to the end-user. On this topic, Stefano is proceeding with PCT and also creating a startup. Stefano currently is working as Research Scientist at Skoltech in the working group of the Prof. Aldo Bischi. In particular, he is involved in the modelling and simulations (by the software Aspen) of hybrid geothermal-biomass power plants in order to perform the assessment of their energy performances. Moreover, he is the co-supervisor of a PhD candidate, whose research will be focused on the most promising electric energy storage (EES) technology, considering also its deployment in the Russian Federation. A mathematical model for the selected EES technology (likely flow batteries) will be developed, possibly validated with experimental data, technical and economic indicators will be assessed. Furthermore, Stefano will be involved in research projects regarding electric heat pumps used for space conditioning (heating, cooling) and unconventional technologies for the hydrogen production. Finally, he will take part to the development and delivery of the graduate course Energy Systems (Physics) and Technology.

Research Interest

hybrid geothermal-biomass power plants electric energy storage electric heat pumps for space conditioning unconventional technologies for hydrogen production