A multidisciplinary design and implementation framework for the optimal planning and operation of smart energy hubs within smart grids | Edrick Tromp

Field | Discipline

• Energy systems
• Energy transition

Expertise

• Energy system modelling

Summary

The energy transition is causing the energy system to undergo many changes. Some of these changes can lead to problems for the energy system (e.g. grid congestion, system balancing needed on local levels etc.). There are some relatively novel energy system concepts that are said to be usable in tackling some of these problems.

One of these concepts is the Smart energy hub (SEH). As SEH’s can be complex systems with possibly a great variety in system components and being multicommodity energy systems, the design and operation of such a system is not directly apparent. Aside from being a technical solution the decision to develop such a project is largely derived from the economic performance of such a project. The business model for such systems is critical in the economic regard. As energy markets are used to couple supply and demand of energy they can play a critical role in the business model of SEH if they act on these markets. SEH can also be connected to different upstream networks for which certain system services can lead to financial compensation and can thus also impact the business model.

This research project aims to embed these aspects into the design and operational modelling of SEH and answer the following main research question: How can the effects of the interaction of energy hubs with upstream networks/markets and different realistic business models environments be incorporated into smart energy hub models to improve the decision making process of stakeholders developing these projects?

Supervision by

• Promotor: Prof. dr. K.S. (Klaus) Hubacek | Integrated Research on Energy, Environment and Society - IREES | ESRIG, University of Groningen.
• Co-promotor: Prof. dr. E. (Evrim) Ursavas | Centre for Energy Business and Economics Research - CEnBER | FEB, University of Groningen.
• Supervisor: Dr. ir. M. (Marten) van der Laan | Entrance Centre of Expertise Energy, Hanze University of Applied Sciences

   

More information and contact details can be found on the personal profile of Edrick Tromp