Research for Energy Transition (RRF)
As part of the European Recovery and Resilience Plan (NextGeneration EU) and with the support of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, ULiège is part of the Research Platform for Energy Transition (RRF), an inter-university initiative structured into seven sub-platforms. This initiative aims to strengthen research capabilities in complex energy systems, in line with regional and European sustainability objectives.
ULiège actively contributes to this platform by providing state-of-the-art equipment and developing collaborative projects around energy production and storage, smart grid optimization, energy efficiency and sustainable resource development. By fostering complementarity between universities and cooperation with the socio-economic world, this platform will accelerate the transition to a more resilient, low-carbon energy system.
ULiège actively contributes to this technological platform by making the following state-of-the-art equipment available through each of these sub-platforms:
1. Two-chamber reactor with fluidized bed
Two-chamber reactor with fluidized bed for thermochemical conversion and/or hydroliquefaction coupled with catalytic conversion (Fischer Tropsch type) of vegetable matter, algae, organic waste and/or CO2 to obtain mid- and long-chain hydrocarbons and/or hydrogen.
- Contact: Sergio Villarreal
- Status: Partially delivered
2. Additional module for gas detection and composition analysis.
Additional module for gas detection and composition analysis. Module attached to the fuel, energy carrier and hydrogen production reactor.
- Contact: Sergio Villarreal
- Status : On order
1. 3D binder jetting printer
Acquisition of a 3D binder jetting printer and peripherals, which will be used to study, develop and shape new dense ceramic electrolytes with complex and controlled geometries and structures in the design of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). It will also be used to investigate and study the development of new battery design methods for electrochemical storage. This printer will be the only one of its kind in Wallonia, and will help strengthen research into fuel cell development and battery design using 3D printing technology. The project is in line with the themes of energy production and storage. The laboratory has the skills (powder synthesis, suspension production and 3D printing shaping), human resources (research logistician) and real estate infrastructure to integrate this new technology as effectively as possible and foster synergies with other research groups. Possibility of using the equipment in the production of parts for photocatalytic CO2 conversion and photoelectrolysis of water in the synthesis of H2.D7:F11.
- Contact: Frédéric Boschini
- Status : Delivered
- Location : ULiège, Campus du Sart Tilman
2. Heat treatment process complementary to the 3D printing parts production line (binder jet)
- Contact : Raphaël Closset
- Status : Partially delivered
- Location : ULiège, Campus du Sart Tilman
3. A bench for characterizing PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell cells.
A bench on which 5 single-cell fuel cells could be run over long periods (several hundred hours) to assess the degradation of the constituent materials (bipolar plates, membranes, catalysts, diffusion layers).
- Contact: Jérémy Geens
- Status : Delivered
- Location : ULiège, Campus du Sart Tilman
4. CVD treatment
Installation for CVD treatment and graphitization of nanostructured carbons for the manufacture of sodium-ion battery anodes
- Contact person : Jérémy Geens
- Status : Delivered
- Location : ULiège, Campus du Sart Tilman
1. Electricity storage test bench
Test bench for pumped thermal energy storage systems. This technology is based on the following conversions: electricity to heat and heat to electricity. It offers an alternative to electrochemical batteries: lower cost, reduced environmental impact and potential for electricity/heat coupling (valorization of waste heat in industry, potential for cogeneration of cold, heat and electricity).The equipment will include various thermal storage technologies (sensible and latent), a heat pump and an ORC module, as well as all the instrumentation associated with the test bench. The test bench will be used to characterize various thermal storage technologies, heat pumps and ORCs, and to validate control strategies (coupling the system to an electrical grid, a heating network, buildings).
- Contact person : Vincent Lemort
- Status : Operational
2. Data acquisition
- Contact person : Vincent Lemort
- Status : In progress
3. Thermal storage tank
- Contact person: Vincent Lemort
- Status : In progress
4. Emulator
Thermal load emulator (power >100 Kw) for a building associated with a reversible heat pump in the form of a container
+ Connection to the computing center via a low-temperature heat transport system (including pumps and various piping systems)
- Contact: Vincent Lemort
- Status : On order
5. Boreholes
Borehole equipment in terms of casing, strainers and filter in the more permeable horizons: 2 production boreholes (6" equipment) and 2 piezometers (4" equipment) at 90 m + Operation and maintenance of equipment (5 years)
- Contact: Philippe Orban / David Caterina
- Status : Partially delivered
6. Optical fiber equipment for boreholes
Fiber optic equipment for boreholes and reception/processing consoles
- Contact: Philippe Orban / David Caterina
- Status : Partially delivered
7. Test and sampling pumps
Test and sampling pumps, various sensors and probes (Eh, pH, conductivity, T, geophysical log...), flow measurement equipment
- Contact: Philippe Orban / David Caterina
- Status : Delivered
8. Fluorimeters
2 Field Fluorimeters for tracer monitoring injected with hot water
- Contact: Philippe Orban / David Caterina
- Status : Delivered
9. Seismic monitoring
Module for seismic monitoring of underground temperature clouds
- Contact: Philippe Orban / David Caterina
- Status: Operational
10. Module for FVPDM test + packer + field computer
- Contact: Philippe Orban / David Caterina
- Status : Delivered
11. Device for measuring temperature in a geothermal heat exchanger (geothermal probe - boreholes) + Device for measuring thermal conductivity of soil and rock samples
- Contact: Bertrand François
- Status : On order
1. CO2 capture pilot
Post-combustion CO2 capture pilot (amine capture) treating a slipstream of the biomass power plant on the Sart-Tilman Campus. This equipment is part of the CO2 capture bench to be installed at the Sart-Tilman central heating plant. It consists of packing elements to be integrated inside the columns of the capture pilot with the aim of optimizing mass and/or heat transfers between phases. Two containers will house part of the installations for the CO2 capture pilot.
- Contact: Cédric Calberg / Antoine Rouxhet
- Status: Delivered
- Location: Central boiler house (B10), Campus du Sart Tilman - Allée de la Cense Rouge, 69 - 4000 Liège
2. Equipment for testing the stability of materials for capturing CO2 from the air.
In particular, the bench will be used to study the stability, robustness and performance of adsorbents such as resins, zeolites or solid-supported grafted amines used for Direct Air Capture technologies. This gas distribution system is used to power an experimental bench dedicated to studying the stability and performance of new adsorbents for the direct capture of CO2 from air. It consists of three expansion units, one for oxygen, one for nitrogen and one for a nitrogen/CO2 mixture (1000 ppm). These thermoregulation units enable fine temperature control of the most essential elements of the DAC (Direct air capture) experimental bench, in particular the reactor and the hot/cold tanks feeding the reactor's double shell, enabling very rapid temperature cycles. The set of flowmeters enables fine control of gas supply rates to the DAC experimental bench.
- Contact: Cédric Calberg / Antoine Rouxhet
- Status: Delivered, operational 2026
- Location: Halle de Génie Chimique, B17a - Campus du Sart Tilman - Quartier URBANISTES 2 - Grande Traverse, 3, 4000 Liège
3. A test bench for CO2-to-fuels reactions
A test bench for CO2-to-fuels reactions (in particular methanol, DME, olefins and jet fuels), including the reaction system and pre-post-treatment stages, will be set up. This equipment will be used to study optimal configurations and designs for the synthesis and purification of liquid fuels, complementing the equipment developed at UMons. In particular, the bench will be equipped to enable dynamic process studies under varying load conditions, enabling dynamic models to be validated. The equipment comprises
- 7-tube jacketed reactor for the chemical conversion of synthesis gas (H2/CO mixture) into a hydrocarbon mixture via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
- Hardware used to control the CO2-to-fuels reaction test bench. This includes the PCs needed to control and visualize the process, as well as the data acquisition cards
- Software hardware: software used to control the CO2-to-fuels reaction test bench
- Waspaloy steel bar used to build the high-temperature reactor for the CO2-to-fuels test bench, used to convert H2/CO2 into synthesis gas (H2/CO mixture) via the reverse gas-to-water reaction (RWGS reaction)
- Machining of the Waspaloy steel rod for the high-temperature reactor to be integrated into the CO2-to-fuels test bench and used to convert the H2/CO2 mixture into synthesis gas (H2/CO mixture) via the reverse gas-to-water reaction (RWGS reaction)
- Condenser machining: production of various condensers and separators to be integrated into the CO2-to-fuels reaction test bench and used to separate the liquid and vapor phases by varying temperature and pressure
- Contact: Cédric Calberg / Antoine Rouxhet
- Status : Delivered
- Location : B17a - Campus du Sart Tilman - Quartier URBANISTES 2 - Grande Traverse, 3, 4000 Liège
4. Analytical equipment for performance evaluation of CO2 capture and utilization benches
Gas chromatography analyzers for effluents from the CO2-to-fuels reaction test bench. One analyzer will be used for on-line analysis of two gaseous effluents from the test bench, and another analyzer will be used for off-line analysis of liquid samples taken from the CO2-to-fuels reaction bench.
- Contact: Cédric Calberg / Antoine Rouxhet
- Status : Delivered
- Location : Campus du Sart Tilman - Quartier URBANISTES 2 - Grande Traverse, 3, 4000 Liège
5. Energy integration equipment for the CO2 capture unit
This equipment heats the CO2/amine mixture during the CO2 desorption stage. At the column outlet, a quasi-pure CO2 stream is generated.
- Contact: Cédric Calberg / Antoine Rouxhet
- Status: Under construction
- Location: Central boiler house (B10), Campus du Sart Tilman - Allée de la Cense Rouge, 69 - 4000 Liège
6. Mesofluidic reactor
A temperature-controlled, modular mesofluidic reactor compatible with pressures of up to 100 bar for the chemical transformation of CO2 into monomers and polymers in the context of the rapid development of new CO2-based products via screening experiments and on-demand production of targeted products by academic or industrial partners. The reactor will be designed to enable both laboratory-scale use (optimization of conditions, rapid screening; production of a few dozen to a few hundred grams) and pilot-scale use (production of batches of several kg per day).
- Contact person : Diana SILVA
- Status: Operational
- Location : Uliège, Campus du Sart Tilman, B6a
7. Thermostat
Auxiliary temperature control - Thermostat (R&D, pilot). Heat exchange in micro/mesofluidic reactors is managed by powerful thermostats - these must cover an operational temperature range from -50 to 200°C.
- Contact person : Diana SILVA
- Status: Operational
- Location : Uliège, Campus du Sart Tilman, B6a
8. Air-conditioned semi-industrial room
A semi-industrial air-conditioned room (4m* 5m* 2m) will enable humidity, temperature, CO2 concentration and pressure to be controlled. The aim is to develop a semi-industrial pilot plant to study the processing conditions of building products subjected to accelerated carbonation. The laboratory already has very small chambers, but these do not allow full-scale testing of construction elements. The principle of the CO2 injection test device is as follows: a pressurized container serves as a source of CO2. The gas mixture is piped through the ceiling. Constant pressure is maintained in the sealed chamber by control equipment. Fans are placed inside the tank and in the chambers, to ensure a constant concentration of CO2. This equipment will enable research projects to be carried out by doctoral students/researchers. More specifically, this chamber enables carbonation tests to be carried out under accelerated conditions. Its large dimensions (3.6 x 2.4 m, height 2.10 m) and the presence of a hoist enable tests to be carried out on samples as heavy as sections of concrete beam weighing several hundred kilos. Temperature, CO2 content and humidity are constantly monitored and adjustable. Under extreme conditions, a temperature of 70°C, a humidity of 95% and a CO2 content of 20% can be reached. The chamber is equipped with two scales for continuous monitoring of the weight increase of certain samples (maximum tare: 60kg)
- Contact person : Cédric Calberg
- Status: Operational
- Location : Garages of B52/10 - Campus du Sart Tilman - Quartier POLYTECH 1 - allée de la Découverte 15, 4000 Liège
9. Additional climatic chamber (temperature, humidity control and CO2 injection)
Modern, energy-efficient environmental chamber. Adjustable temperature from -20 to +100°C, relative humidity from 10 to 98%, useful volume of 130 liters. Stainless steel lining. This chamber has been adapted for carbonation tests up to a maximum CO2 content of 20%.
- Contact person : Cédric Calberg
- Status: Operational
- Location : Campus du Sart Tilman - Quartier POLYTECH 1 - allée de la Découverte 15, 4000 Liège
10. 5L thermoregulated reactor
A 5L high-pressure thermoregulated reactor for the manufacture of molecules by chemical transformation of CO2 - Production on a scale of 3-4kg/experiment + pump for batch preparation of monomers from CO2, other CO2-based products and for modification of inorganic or organic fillers.
- Contact person : Bruno Grignard
- Status : Operational
11. 85 mL high-pressure reactors
85 mL high-pressure reactors for batch preparation of monomers from CO2, other CO2-based products and for modification of inorganic or organic fillers.
- Contact person : Bruno Grignard
- Status : Operational
12. Microfluidic reactor
Accessory (pump and pressure controller) for the construction of a modular microfluidic reactor for the chemical transformation of CO2 into compounds of interest in a continuous process.
- Contact person : Bruno Grignard
- Status : Operational
13. Motorized high-pressure syringe pump
Accessory (pump and pressure controller) for the construction of a modular microfluidic reactor for the chemical transformation of CO2 into compounds of interest in a continuous process.
- Contact person : Bruno Grignard
- Status : Operational
1. Thermal dummy
A test bench dedicated to studying and optimizing the integrated management of building-related energy systems (HVAC technologies, local renewable energy production, storage, electric vehicles, etc.) in relation to indoor environment objectives.
In the current context, this equipment will enable us to study solutions for improving the flexibility of electrical network demands, by mobilizing components such as a heat pump, a micro-cogeneration system, an electric vehicle charging station and a field of photovoltaic panels. This test bench will be integrated into the Bâtiment-Laboratoire Jacques Geelen (Arlon), complementing existing equipment // Component Thermal dummy 76,835k€ (shared with UCLouvain)
- Contact person : Elisabeth Davin
- Status : operational
2. Cold chamber
A test bench dedicated to studying and optimizing the integrated management of building-related energy systems (HVAC technologies, local renewable energy production, storage, electric vehicles) in relation to indoor environment objectives // Cold room component
- Contact person : Elisabeth Davin
- Status : operational
3. Refrigeration production
A test bench dedicated to studying and optimizing the integrated management of building-related energy systems (HVAC technologies, local renewable energy production, storage, electric vehicles) in relation to indoor environment objectives // Refrigeration Production Component Cold Room
- Contact person : Elisabeth Davin
- Status : operational
4. Cogeneration
A test bench dedicated to studying and optimizing the integrated management of building-related energy systems (HVAC technologies, local renewable energy production, storage, electric vehicles) in relation to indoor environment objectives // an innovative air/water heat pump, operating at high temperature and equipped with intelligence enabling it to communicate with the electrical grid.
- Contact person : Elisabeth Davin
- Status : operational
5. Cold room adaptation for tests down to -15°C
- Contact: Elisabeth Davin
- Status: operational
6. Data acquisition system
- Contact person : Elisabeth Davin
- Status : Abandoned
7. A unit heater and a fan coil unit
- Contact person : Elisabeth Davin
- Status : Operational
8. Thermal imaging and scan car with environmental quality measurement, cloud archiving monitoring systems, U-value measurement, cloud service, weather station
- Contact: Guirec Ruellan
- Status : Partially delivered
9. Scan car additional equipment (data logger, UPS battery, GPS, mobile weather station, pollution sensors, Lidar, radiometer, 360° camera, wind sensor)
- Contact: Guirec Ruellan
- Status : In progress
1. "Smart Mobility Campus", which consists in setting up a recharging infrastructure
- Contact : Sylvain Quoilin
- Status : On order
1. Microgrid simulator
The equipment required is a flexible, hybrid microgrid simulator based on a hardware-in-the-loop system. This simulator enables real-time (microsecond) emulation of a microgrid with several hundred nodes and different kinds of consumption and production sources connected to these nodes, such as storage or renewable production systems. The originality of this type of equipment is that not only can it simulate a network in an extremely realistic way, thanks to dedicated computers, but it can also interface real electromagnetic conversion devices. This equipment will therefore be used not only to study future networks (study of network dynamics, development of control algorithms), hybridizations of AC and DC networks, but also to provide a test bench for research and development in the field of power electronics, both at the university and for companies active in this field in FWB (e.g. CE+T, but others too).
- Contact person : Bertrand Cornelusse
- Status : Operational
The Energy Transition Research Platform is funded by the European Union and the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
Share this page
