AEInnova has commenced the commercialisation of a groundbreaking technology for industrial use that generates electricity from heat. “Until now, this technology has been used by space agencies such as NASA to power their deep-space probes and vehicles,” stated AEInnova CEO David Comellas. “Now, at AEInnova, we have adapted this technology for industrial applications to harness the residual heat produced in industrial processes,” added Comellas, who leads the start-up established in 2014 by four researchers from the Department of Microelectronics at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).

The primary application of this technology is to power industrial sensors using waste heat. “We have developed and brought to market the first fully self-powered sensors,” said Comellas, emphasising that “they eliminate the need for lithium batteries,” which “not only represents a significant cost saving but also reduces the environmental impact by over 90%". Among the main functionalities, these innovative sensors enable predictive maintenance of rotating machinery such as pumps and compressors, reducing the risks of unexpected breakdowns and lowering maintenance costs.

The technology developed by AEInnova has required an investment of €8 million, 75% of which was provided by private investors. AEInnova has now launched a new funding round seeking to raise €10 million with the aim of “becoming a leader in the autonomous sensor sector.”

Application in industrial waste heat recovery

Another promising application of this technology is “the recovery of industrial waste heat for the production of clean and sustainable energy.” According to Comellas, it will enable the capture of heat lost through chimneys and hot surfaces, converting it into electricity for direct use or integration into the grid. “This application, which we call the Waste Heat Recovery Unit (WHRU), has been developed and tested in real industrial environments, but it is not yet commercially available,” noted Comellas. He further announced plans to finalise its industrial development by 2025, with an initial launch targeted at the European, Asian and North American markets.