Project Description

The Biovoltaic project refers to the sector: Systems and Communications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Communications, Optics, and Systems Engineering, and specifically, the sub-sector of Energy Systems (production, distribution, application).

The project aims to define the techniques of organic cultivation and the optimal design criteria for the implementation of an agrovoltaic FER plant, which, due to its innovative features, will be termed "Biovoltaic." The choice of the aforementioned sector, in accordance with the 2020 classification established by the European Research Council, is also justified by the specific expertise of the lead company and the ODR partners of the project.

The added value intended to be achieved is to create the conditions to promote the spread of "biovoltaic" plants instead of conventional ones, minimizing the impact on land use compared to traditional systems.

The project activities include the demonstration of the technology first in a test environment and then in a real environment, through the creation and subsequent optimization of an installation prototype, the actual "biovoltaic" plant, and two prototype equipment necessary for the cultivation of the plant itself. This will allow, in conjunction with the Research Organizations involved in the project, the development of experiences, methodologies, design criteria, and also the services necessary for the implementation, management, and operation of this category of innovative photovoltaic plants. The experiences and expertise gained will then be made available to market operators through publication and scientific dissemination activities carried out by the Research Organizations. The companies involved, on the other hand, by leveraging the experiences and skills acquired, will be able to provide a range of specific services.

Operating Units

Intellienergia S.r.l.

Intellienergia is a high-tech company specializing in the renewable energy sector, particularly in the design of photovoltaic plants. It primarily serves large companies, public entities, investors, financial institutions, and energy production and distribution companies. It represents a reference point in the sector at the national level and will assume the role of project leader.

To date, Intellienergia has designed renewable energy-powered plants in Italy and abroad, totaling over 1,500 MWp of photovoltaic plants and 650 MW of wind plants, as well as over 400 MVA of delivery stations for high-voltage plant connections on the Terna network. This makes it one of the most reputable engineering companies in the photovoltaic sector within the current market context.

Bassano Natura società agricola S.r.l.

Bassano Natura has over 10 years of experience in agricultural cultivation and the operation of an "agrovoltaic" photovoltaic plant on lands leased from the University of Agrarian Studies of Bassano Romano (VT).

The company's strategy has been to combine agricultural expertise with photovoltaic knowledge.

In 2022, the company had revenues exceeding 140,000 euros, with a growth rate of about 30% compared to the previous year.

The company is managed by two managing partners, one of whom is a Professional Agricultural Entrepreneur, who handle all business activities.

Bassano Natura società agricola S.r.l. has specific corporate know-how useful for the project, gained from the direct management of the company's agrovoltaic photovoltaic plant. This experience is crucial for guiding agronomic design choices considering practical feasibility and applicability.

For the aspects related to agronomic and vegetative fields, Bassano Natura will rely on the specialized consultancy of the research group working at the Botanical Garden of the Department of Biology at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, whose specialized skills will be detailed in the section on research organizations.

University of Rome Tor Vergata

The University of Rome Tor Vergata has been engaged for years in research in the fields and areas in which the project is developed and will participate directly with the Department of Electronic Engineering, which includes the CHOSE Laboratory. The laboratory has over 10 years of experience in innovative photovoltaic technologies applied to agrivoltaic systems.

Several national projects have involved the CHOSE Laboratory and academic institutions in the agricultural and biological aspects of crop growth under semi-transparent, spectrally selective photovoltaic panels, such as polymeric organic semiconductor (OPV) and dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) technologies.

CREA

The CREA (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics) is the main Italian research body dedicated to agri-food chains, with legal personality of public law, supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forests (Masaf). Its competencies range from agriculture, livestock, fishing, forestry, agro-industry, nutrition, to socio-economic fields.

The CREA scientific network is structured into 12 research centers, 6 sectoral and 6 transversal, spread across the national territory to respond to different local needs. The center employs over 2000 units, about half of whom are researchers and technologists with specializations in common themes across all sectors.

CREA also has numerous companies and experimental areas that allow research on agricultural activities within the companies themselves, enabling verification of results and facilitating field applicability and dissemination to industry operators.

 

Project Objectives and Related WPs

The project aims to achieve TRL8, meaning the realization of a complete and qualified system based on the TRL evaluation methodology, starting from a TRL3 level.

The TRL8 system will be qualified for the production of renewable electricity in association with the cultivation of organic wheat.

The idea of focusing the research activity, at least for the first cultivation campaign, on organic wheat is motivated by the fact that this cultivation is one of the most widespread nationally, making it the most frequently and widely replicable combination across the country, from north to south.

Moreover, it is assumed that wheat, due to its agronomic characteristics, is one of the crops that would not be penalized or might even benefit from integration with a Bio-voltaic type photovoltaic plant.

Division into WPs and Related WP Leaders:

• WP1: Prof. Eng. Andrea Reale, employee of the University of Rome Tor Vergata

• WP2: PhD Eng. Francesco Gallucci, employee of CREA

• WP3: PhD Eng. Alessandro Zanini, technical director of Intellienergia Srl

• WP4: PhD Eng. Giulio de Simone, administrator of Bassano Natura soc. agricola a r.l.

• WP5: PhD Eng. Alessandro Zanini, technical director of Intellienergia Srl

WP 1: Innovative PV for "Biovoltaic" plants – Dept. of Electronic Engineering University of Tor Vergata – Industrial Research

Development and scalability of DSSC solar modules, semi-transparent and beyond the state-of-the-art for agrivoltaic applications.

The DSSC photovoltaic modules will be made with organic and hybrid materials with low environmental impact, low energy payback time, and reduced CO2 emissions. The DSSC modules are designed to ensure high transmission of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), high conversion efficiency, and stability.

WP 2: Development and experimentation of synergies between agriculture and energy production, monitoring, and dissemination of results – CREA – Experimental Development

Task 2.1: The general objective of the Task is to support the realization of the prototype for operation in a real environment developed within WP5 and demonstrate a synergistic production of electricity and high-value crops in an organic regime, respecting the specific needs of both sectors, both in terms of plant engineering for energy production and agronomic requirements for cultivation and management of technical means, also providing for the publication and dissemination of the results obtained.

Specific objectives:

• Evaluation of structural plant needs related to specific supply chains and main cultivation operations.

• Development of cultivation paths aimed at the specific needs of organic productions focused on the system's energy efficiency and cost containment.

• Evaluation of the economic and energy sustainability of the prototype.

• Promotion of demonstrative, dissemination, and informative activities.

Task 2.2: The general objective of the Task is to develop the monitoring of the Biovoltaic system to identify the environmental, chemical-physical, and biological indicators that characterize the agriculture-energy system. The monitoring aims to verify if the two systems, agricultural and energy, meet the requirements that guarantee the synergistic productivity of energy and cultivated crops, using the technologies of Agriculture 4.0, which allow both an optimization of phytosanitary products for crop protection and optimal microclimatic conditions with significant water resource savings. The chemical-physical characterization of the soil can provide information on the impact of panels and agricultural practices on soil quality, which influences agricultural yield. Continuous monitoring of microclimatic parameters such as solar radiation, precipitation, air and soil humidity gives the possibility to understand the availability of the water resource to manage its use in the agricultural sector best, minimizing losses and increasing yield. Therefore, the activities will be aimed at monitoring the water resource, agricultural continuity, soil quality and fertility, microclimate, and resilience to climate change.

WP 3: Prototype realization of "biovoltaic" plant – Intellienergia – Industrial Research

To realize and test a "biovoltaic" type agrivoltaic prototype in a laboratory environment as part of the activities required for completing TRL4.

WP 4: Demonstration of the biovoltaic plant's functionality in a test environment and realization of prototype equipment for cultivation – Bassano Natura – Industrial Research

To realize and test crop cultivation in a laboratory environment and develop prototype equipment as part of the activities required for completing TRL4. This activity will be carried out with the support of the Department of Biology of the University of Rome Tor Vergata.

WP 5: Realization and optimization of the Biovoltaic prototype in a real environment – Intellienergia – Experimental Development

To realize and test the "biovoltaic" type agrivoltaic prototype for operation in a real environment, carrying out all optimization activities to define the final configuration within the activities required to complete TRL levels from 5 to 8.

 

Certo! Ecco la traduzione in inglese del testo:

**Expected Results**

- **IMPROVEMENT IN THE STATE OF THE ART**: The increase in management efficiency of agrivoltaic plants, thanks to the results obtainable through the R&D activities of our project, which also aims at optimizing the resources present in the intervention areas. This first element can represent a strong lever of attractiveness, thus generating increases in the induced activities generated by the management of the lands and plants.

- **DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATION IN THE SECTOR**: The aggregation believes in the objective of developing the very concept of "BioVoltaic," integrating new elements compared to those currently considered and summarized in the previous paragraphs. In fact, the BioVoltaic model, in addition to focusing on "ecological" aspects, adds the possibility of highlighting the resources present—but not yet valued—in agricultural areas. In this way, the intervention areas become "engines" of system economies, generating positive environmental and social externalities in often forgotten territories characterized by a strong potential for value creation.

**Intermediate Results**

The activities carried out within WP2 have produced preliminary results in the phase preceding the management of the "Biovoltaic" plant.

In relation to the objectives set out in WP2 and related Task 2.1 and 2.2, the activities carried out refer to the following research lines:

**Task 2.1**

**Line 1**: Evaluation of the main local organic supply chains and the mechanization needs related to the main cultivation operations.

**Activities carried out**:

- Investigation of local organic supply chains and different cultivation operations for the development of integrated solutions between agro-mechanical and agri-solar equipment based on pedoclimatic conditions and the most suitable technologies.

**Line 2**: Design and development of integrated cultivation paths aimed at energy and agricultural production efficiency with cost containment.

**Activities carried out**:

- Evaluation of planting operations and mechanization that can be integrated with energy production based on the type of plant configurations identified.

**Task 2.2**

**Line 1**: Soil Analysis

**Activities carried out**:

- Identification of sampling sites.
- Collection of soil samples at different points in the selected area.
- Laboratory analysis for the chemical-physical characterization of soil samples.

**Line 2**: Study of microclimatic parameters, water content, and solar radiation

**Activities carried out**:

- Characterization of the microclimate through the determination of environmental, climatic, and biological indicators.