ELECTA - KU Leuven
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Science, Engineering and Technology Group Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) ELECTA Electrical energy is the main energy vector for attaining a future sustainable energy supply. In this process a smarter and more flexible use of the available resources is seen as the key enabler. At Electa, the advanced energy research and high-level trainings are aimed towards obtaining such a sustainable future. Research profile Electa’s research covers the broad spectrum of electrical energy systems, with the development of the future smart grid at the heart of the matter. We aim at strengthening our wide and international recognition as a centre of excellence in these topics, bridging fundamental research and prospec- tively applicable solutions for industry. Together with two other key actors in Flemish energy research, VITO and imec, all KU Leuven energy research joined forces into EnergyVille, a renowned energy research cooperation. Alongside the development of know-how, Electa attaches pivotal importance to sharing the acquired knowledge with academia, students, industry and society in its broadest sense. Keywords Smart Grids • Transmission and Distribution Systems • Electricity markets • Regulation • Product and service development • Economic Sustainability • Rational use of Energy • Modelling of electrical energy systems • Renewable Energy Sources • Distributed Connected Flexible Components • Motors and Drives • Control for Smart Grids • Multiscale & Multiphysics Modelling Main research topics Smart Grids: to increase the amount of renewable energy sources in the grid, with their characteristic variability, our traditional ‘blind’ electricity grid needs several power-ups: stronger, smarter, more resilient and flexible, … Control for smart grids Information and communication technology enables better load management, more integration of distributed resources, more efficient use of energy buffers, better grid monitoring, linking to other networks and advanced control applications. Robust control systems and advanced optimisation are at the heart of these intelligent grids. Modelling of electrical energy systems: While the energy landscape is changing dramatically, loads of new scenarios present themselves. Which ones fit our situation best, taking into account all different economic, technical and regional peculiarities? Multiscale & multiphysics modelling: from components to systems Modern energy systems require new fast and precise techniques that are able to handle the interaction between generation, transmission and distribution systems, and are connected through power electronic equipment. Model order reduction approaches are designed to describe e.g. energy converters within the transmission grid models, paying special attention to the dynamics (from extremely fast to slow).
Transcript of ELECTA - KU Leuven
Science, Engineering and Technology GroupDepartment of Electrical Engineering (ESAT)
ELECTA
Electrical energy is the main energy vector for attaining afuture sustainable energy supply. In this process a smarterand more flexible use of the available resources is seen asthe key enabler. At Electa, the advanced energy researchand high-level trainings are aimed towards obtaining sucha sustainable future.
Research profileElecta’s research covers the broad spectrum of electricalenergy systems, with the development of the future smartgrid at the heart of the matter. We aim at strengthening ourwide and international recognition as a centre of excellencein these topics, bridging fundamental research and prospec -tively applicable solutions for industry. Together with two otherkey actors in Flemish energy research, VITO and imec, all KU Leuven energy research joined forces intoEnergyVille, a renowned energy research cooperation.
Alongside the development of know-how, Electa attachespivotal importance to sharing the acquired knowledge withacademia, students, industry and society in its broadest sense.
KeywordsSmart Grids • Transmission and Distribution Systems •Electricity markets • Regulation • Product and servicedevelopment • Economic Sustainability • Rational use of Energy • Modelling of electrical energy systems •Renewable Energy Sources • Distributed ConnectedFlexible Components • Motors and Drives • Control forSmart Grids • Multiscale & Multiphysics Modelling
Main research topicsSmart Grids:to increase the amount of renewable energy sources inthe grid, with their characteristic variability, our traditional‘blind’ electricity grid needs several power-ups: stronger,smarter, more resilient and flexible, …
Control for smart gridsInformation and communication technology enables betterload management, more integration of distributed resources,more efficient use of energy buffers, better grid monitoring,linking to other networks and advanced control applications.Robust control systems and advanced optimisation are atthe heart of these intelligent grids.
Modelling of electrical energy systems:While the energy landscape is changing dramatically,loads of new scenarios present themselves. Which onesfit our situation best, taking into account all differenteconomic, technical and regional peculiarities?
Multiscale & multiphysics modelling: from componentsto systemsModern energy systems require new fast and precisetechniques that are able to handle the interaction betweengeneration, transmission and distribution systems, and areconnected through power electronic equipment. Model orderreduction approaches are designed to describe e.g. energyconverters within the transmission grid models, paying specialattention to the dynamics (from extremely fast to slow).
ContactDepartment of Electrical EngineeringElecta Kasteelpark Arenberg 10 box 24453001 LEUVEN, Belgiumwww.esat.kuleuven.be/[email protected]
KU Leuven. Inspiring the outstanding.
Rational use of Energy:increasing the efficiency of motors, drives and lights, in order to save power, is an on-going challenge.
Motors and Drives:design of advanced converters, accounting for controland electromagnetic compatibility.
Renewable Energy Sources:By 2050 Europe aims at a CO2-neutral energy supply,which means that at least 30% of this energy should be provided by renewable sources. Smart grids areindispensable to achieve this goal and complement the green certificate systems.
Distributed Connected Flexible Components:impact and opportunities provided by embedded generation,dispersed storage facilities (solar PV, batteries, electricvehicles and links with other energy vectors)
Transmission and Distribution Systems:power generation, transmission and distribution systems,but also the use of electrical energy. Hot topics are HVDCtransmission, the integration of renewables and powersystem reliability.
Electricity markets • RegulationThe on-going liberalisation process of the Europeanelectricity markets requires the development of adaptedmodels and new energy markets, taking into accounteconomic and technical issues. The regulatory frameworkis at the core of the analysis.
Product and service development • EconomicSustainabilityIn order to enhance the flexibility of electricity use,advanced control of appliances and distributed resources,new energy products are needed, also for the retail market.
Unique infrastructureSmart Grid Lab, Power Electronics Lab, High VoltageLab, Electrical Machines and Drives.From 2015 onwards, the Electa research will be fullyembedded in the brand-new top class facilities atCampus EnergyVille in Genk. Only the educationalfacilities will remain in Heverlee.
Collaboration and users• Electa is founding member of EnergyVille, an energy
research cooperation of VITO, imec and KU Leuven.• A grasp of the networks in which Electa is active:
European Technology Platform for Smart Grids, Smart Grids Flanders, Global Smart Grid Federation,IEEE Smart Grid, ISGAN, IEEE Smart Cities, KIC InnoEnergy, International Energy Agency, EERA, Cigré, IEEE, IET, SRBE/KBVE and DERlab.
• Electa has an active role in the KIC InnoEnergyEducational Programme, coordinating its MSc Energyfor Smart Cities and the Smart Cities track in the PhD School.
• Electa has been involved in over 14 projects within the European FP7 framework.
Spin-offsTriPhase NV (2006)
