The North Sea region, located in the northwest of Europe, is expected to be a frontrunner in the European energy transition. In terms of population, it contains around 200 million inhabitants. The aggregated GDP of the North Sea region countries adds up to 9.6 billion euros, which accounts for 60% of the GDP of the EU. In contrast, in terms of land this region represents only the 15% of the EU surface.  

The North Sea region countries, in line with recent EU level policies, such as the Green Deal, have set ambitious decarbonisation targets, aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. In the last two decades (Fig.1) the region has […]

What is your research focusing on?

The overall aim is to develop a computational model (an agent-based model) and explore the transition to a low-carbon electricity system. This research focuses on modelling investors’ (which is called “agent” in the model) investment choices of new power plants, and how new investments impact the development of the electricity system over time. This study also analyses which investment strategy is more robust to reduce the risk for bankruptcy when invest under uncertainties.

What has amazed you in your research so far?

This study finds out that under a growing tax scenario, the system transits from a fossil-based system to a low-carbon system. Agents with different characteristics […]

What is your research focusing on?

My research explores the energy cultures and the agents’ behaviour emerging out of stakeholders interactions in the Energy Systems in Transition Project. An example of the areas I cover can be seen in figure 1 below.

Figure 1. Overview of topics being researched in my thesis.

Energy cultures refers to patterns of norms, values, practices and material cultures. In turn, agents behaviour depends on internal factors like cognitive and psychological trails, as well as on external influences, like the culture in which agents are immersed. I examine, from a socio-technical perspective, how such humans and non-humans actants bring “things” to matter (materialities). One of such […]

What is your research focusing on?

The overall aim of my research is to provide a generic approach for optimum management of integrated energy systems using the real-time capability of artificial intelligence based solutions, in terms of energy, economy, and the environment. Future energy systems that seek to maximize energy utilization, grid reliability and resilience while meeting the expected demand side requirements must necessarily consider all available energy sources, including intermittent renewables, storage systems and the dispatchable energy units.

What has amazed you in your research so far? For example surprising results

A reference case with supply units (heat pump, auxiliary heater), storage unit (thermal storage tank) and demand unit (swimming pool […]