Modeling, Simulation, Optimization, Management and Techno-economy

Next-MGT – Next Generation of Micro Gas Turbines for High Efficiency, Low Emissions and Fuel Flexibility

Cutting edge multidisciplinary R&D to make a step change in understanding of Micro Gas Turbines (MGT) systems’ technology and commercialization aspects to enable large increase in their share in the energy market and contribution to the low carbon economy while providing specialized training for 15 researchers to help establish the backbone of an important industry. A training program for highly skilled researchers that can contribute to development of cost effective and environment friendly distributed power generation technologies.

UiS contribution to system analysis and techno-economic evaluation of MGT based systems.

Investigation of real time smart data analytic tools for monitoring and optimum operation of MGT systems and innovative solutions for techno-economic evaluation of MGT based systems are the core activities carried out at UiS.

Data analytic tools for condition monitoring and optimized operation of MGT systems in real-time applications allowed by dynamic modeling, intelligent methods as well as ICT solutions has been carried out. The outcomes of the project are expected to lead to higher reliability and availability, higher operational efficiency, lower operational expenditure, and higher flexibility of the MGT system and those of the integrated energy systems.

Development of innovative tools for techno-economic evaluation of MGT systems, building on existing models and their integration with artificial intelligence for optimization of technical-economic performance is the focus here. This will suggest viable solutions for MGT applications in different scenarios, contributing to increased share of this flexible technology in the growing market of distributed generation and other applications.

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Smart solutions for energy systems of the future

This project investigates tools and methods founded on artificial intelligence (AI) for monitoring, analysis and optimum design and operation of energy systems, mainly in buildings, considering both thermal and electrical energy and their coupling. Hence, the main objectives are:

1. studying advanced tools for real-time monitoring of energy systems;
2. analyses models development to predict the production, demand, and states of energy systems;
3. to evaluate how various energy resources, load profiles, and operating strategies affect the performance of multi-vector energy systems;

The work aims to address the following research questions:

1. In a multi-vector energy system consisting of heating, cooling, and power production technologies, how can the optimal operation of these technologies be determined?
2. What are the effects of an AI-based energy management system for both demand and supply side control on different indicators such as district energy consumption, costs, and GHG emissions?
3. How can an AI-based design and operation toolkit be developed to efficiently influence heating and cooling production of a heat pump system?

This Ph.D.-project is funded by the Research Council of Norway and Norconsult AS under the Industrial Ph.D. scheme, which is based on a company collaborating with a university on a doctoral project. The two regional energy projects Triangulum Central Energy Heat Pump Plant and Elnett21 – an emission-free and electric transportation system serve as the main reference cases for the PhD work.

Subsea Energy Storage – Industrial PhD

A concept for storing energy at the seabed using the principle of pumped hydro storage has been developed by Subsea 7. The concept will be further developed during this PhD project. Pumped hydro storage in itself is a mature technology but the system architecture for a subsea pumped hydro storage unit will need to be developed and analyzed. Certain advantages exist with a subsea energy storage, such as being able to store energy close to remote offshore locations, e.g. oil and gas installations, or renewable energy installations such as deep-water floating offshore wind parks which are currently under development. In addition, a cost-effective energy storage for subsea installation would mean that the ocean can be utilized for storing energy. The research work will include thermodynamic analysis, further development of the concept and identification of the technology gaps.

Geothermal & waste heat

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source available everywhere. The synergies between geothermal installations and petroleum engineering, in terms of knowledge about geology, drilling, well construction provides opportunity for knowledge transfer between these research fields. Using the knowledge from petroleum research will help to reduce the cost of geothermal installations. Research activities in this project will be focused on use of low temperature heat sources as driving force for space heating and cooling. Seasonal energy storage for optimized operation of geothermal installations will be studied, modeled and evaluated against experimental data from our test rigs.