Renewable Energy Management - EiT
Renewable Energy Management
Energy production, processing, transportation and use is responsible for a large part of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. To decarbonize the economy and society at large, the share of renewable energy will have to grow tremendously. This is posing many interesting challenges.
The most common renewable electricity options, solar and wind, are intermittent (irregular and uncontrollable) energy supply sources. Therefore, flexibility and storage technologies are needed to meet demand for electric power at any given time, or to reduce or shift demand loads using demand side management.
The cheapest way to solve the mismatch in supply and demand is to extend power transmission lines between regions and countries. To accommodate the foreseen capacity needs by 2050 a four to eight fold increase in transmission grid capacity is needed. However, there is a lot of public opposition against such large-scale infrastructure expansions.
In current EU policy, consumers are mobilized to play an active role in the energy system. Prosumers are active consumers who also produce or store energy. From 2019, all households in Norway have smart meters, which measure electricity usage instantaneously and can allow electricity bills to be based on spot prices that change every minute. This means that in the future, consumers can be cheaper off by actively managing their usage. Many other countries are rolling out smart meters too.
In contrast to Western countries, in many developing countries energy access is not a given. About a quarter of the world population is not connected to a (reliable) power grid. Food stoves using wood, coal or fuels are not environmentally friendly and cause health problems. Solar panels, small-scale wind power or waste gasification units can be cost-effective, but need coordination and incentives to be developed and used efficiently.
To manage variability in energy supply and demand at all levels in the energy system, we need smarter and cheaper flexibility options that are acceptable for the general public. This requires engineers and economists to be innovative and create better technologies and smarter planning and management. More efficient, scalable battery solutions, Apps to manage your thermostat, heat pump, car battery charger, and other load sources at home; Decision support software for smart buildings, neighborhoods, cities, etc.
Relevant competence
Competence that can help developing better and smarter energy management and flexibility and technologies, understanding of, communication with, and incentives for consumers and others to invest and operate energy systems in line with the green energy transition.
About this village
My key objectives and interests are people and planet, today and (in) the future. My own research is mainly in energy markets and infrastructure, but I have kept the village theme description broad so that student teams can take their own interpretation and project objectives. In this village, each team develops their own research theme. You can have the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in mind when developing a project, or the challenge of how to induce sustainable behavior in people that are so rich that they couldn't care less about their monthly energy bill, or many other topics. For some students, the work in the village may lead to a patent application or conference or journal paper, or will be continued in their master’s project and thesis. Energy and Sustainability are two of NTNU’s four strategic thematic areas. NTNU is involved in many large-scale research projects in the energy area. There will be guest lectures from NTNU and SINTEF researchers and others active in energy system and markets research showing how academic research can make a contribution addressing the highly relevant challenges in the energy system. The guest lecturers and others can be relevant as project partners, dependent on the actual topics students choose to work on.
Related links:
- www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
- www.ntnu.edu/studies/msse/sesam
- www.ntnu.edu/ntrans
- www.ntnu.edu/energytransition
- www.ntnu.edu/iot/energy/research-projects
- www.ntnu.edu/research/strategicareas
Facts
- Course code: TIØ4855
- Type: Semester-based
- Språk: English
- Village supervisor: Pedro Crespo del Granado
- Semester: Spring 2022
- Location: Trondheim
- Host faculty: IV
Important information about EiT:
- The focus on teamwork skills and group processes is the unique feature of Experts in Teamwork (EiT)
- EiTs teaching methods depend on the contribution and presence of every participant throughout the semester. For this reason, attendance is compulsory on every village day.
- In contrast to many courses, the first few days are especially important in EiT. During this period, get to know each other and discuss what each individual can contribute. You will also draw up the compulsory cooperation agreement and start preparing a shared research question.
- For additional information about Experts in Teamwork, see page for students
Viktig informasjon om EiT:
- Det unike med EiT er fokuset på samarbeidskompetanse og gruppeprosesser.
- Undervisningsformen i EiT forutsetter at alle bidrar og er til stede hele semesteret. Derfor er det obligatorisk tilstedeværelse hver landsbydag.
- I motsetning til mange emner er spesielt de første dagene viktig i EiT. Det er da dere i gruppa blir kjent med hverandre, og diskuterer hva hver enkelt kan bidra med. Dere skal også utarbeide den obligatoriske samarbeidsavtalen, samt begynne å utarbeide en felles problemstilling.
- Utfyllende informasjon om Eksperter i team finner du på siden for studenter.