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T H E D E PA R T M E N T
O F E N E R G Y T E C H N O L O G Y
T E A M W O R KS E R I O U S LY
A F F E C T SY O U R B R A I N
T E C H N O L O G Y
WELCOME 03
THE DEPARTMENT OF
ENERGY TECHNOLOGY 04
SECTIONS AT THE DEPARTMENT 06
WIND POWER SYSTEMS 08
FLUID POWER IN WIND AND
WAVE ENERGY 09
OFFSHORE ENERGY SYSTEMS 10
BIOMASS 11
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS 12
MODERN POWER
TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS 13
INTELLIGENT ENERGY SYSTEMS
AND ACTIVE NETWORKS 14
MICROGRIDS 15
FUEL CELL AND BATTERY
SYSTEMS 16
E-MOBILITY AND
INDUSTRIAL DRIVES 17
EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE
POWER ELECTRONICS 18
THERMOELECTRICS 19
GREEN BUILDINGS 20
BACHELOR AND MASTER
OF SCIENCE 21
PHD 24
COLLABORATION 26
THE ENERGY SPONSOR
PROGRAMME 27
CONTENTS
W E L C O M E
The Department of Energy Technology operates with energy technologies
and solutions with focus on sustainable energy, thus largely contributing
to future energy and climate challenges.
The department was founded in 1987 and is located in Aalborg and
Esbjerg, Denmark. Each campus offers both research and education.
THE MISSION
The department’s mission is to teach and carry out research at the
highest level within the field of energy engineering in order to produce
new knowledge and candidates for the benefit of both companies and
Danish society.
We produce graduates at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels at an
internationally recognised standard.
Research and results are characterised by a comprehensive collaboration
with both national and international companies and universities. The
majority of our students, PhDs, employees and collaborations are
international.
A UNIQUE ACADEMIC COMBINATION
Since the beginning in 1987, our focus has been on renewable energy
and its integration in the complete energy system, combined with energy
savings. The department has a unique academic combination, since
competences in electric, thermal, fluid power and mechanical energy
are placed within the same unit. This interdisciplinary approach benefits
a number of research programmes with focus on current areas such as
wind turbines, photovoltaics, biomass, smart grids, HVDC transmission,
fuel cells, batteries, E-Mobility, reliable power components etc. In our
research cooperation with internal as well as external partners we also
focus on experimental verification of research results and as a result
of that we have state-of-the-art laboratory facilities within all areas at
our disposal.
AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TECHNOLOGY
IMMENSE GROWTH
In later years, energy and climate changes have drawn much attention in
society. Therefore, the department has had a significant growth in many
areas, as the number of PhD’s has more than doubled, and we have had
a massive growth in external research projects, which has increased the
external turnover to constitute more than 60% of the total turnover. This
has led to an increased number of employees as well as a demand for the
department’s candidates. We focus on educating a sufficient number of
candidates and students with the right competences in cooperation with
the industry, including the members of the Energy Sponsor Programme
among others.
THE FUTURE
The Department of Energy Technology aims to continue seeking new
energy challenges and finding solutions to these.
The department has a number of interesting and internationally
recognised research activities in an exciting international environment,
which both existing and future collaboration partners can read more
about in this brochure. We are looking forward
to dialogues and collaborations in the area
of energy technology.
Head of Energy Department
John K. Pedersen
3
4
The Department of Energy Technology focuses on a sustainable future,
thus research is carried out in renewable energy, efficient energy
consumption and distribution, conversion technologies and control of
energy.
Hence, the department addresses the energy technological challenges,
which are met on the path to a society free from fossils, based on a robust
energy system with a high degree of supply security.
This is connected to a number of challenges within e.g. optimal
consumption of biomass, integration of wind-, photovoltaic- and wave
energy in the energy system and configuration of a future intelligent
grid including, electricity, heat and gas. Furthermore, research is carried
out with regards to challenges with transportation by electric cars and
heavy traffic based on bio fuel as well as efficient and reliable conversion
technologies and future houses, which contribute with net energy.
SECTIONS AND RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
To meet these challenges, the Department of Energy Technology is
organised in seven sections and thirteen research programmes.
The seven sections make up the basic organisation of all scientific
employees and reflect the primary core competences. The sections are
presented on page 6.
The thirteen research programmes reflect the current research focus
in technologies and applications. The programmes are dynamic and
continuously adjusted to new possibilities. Each research programme
contains a series of research-, PhD- and collaborations projects and
has a programme leader, who is in charge of the programme and its
development.
The programmes are presented from pages 8 to 20.
AIMS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TECHNOLOGY
The department has three overall aims:
• to conduct definitive international leading edge research with strong
industry interaction
• to educate highly qualified candidates at all levels from BSc to MSc
and PhD
• to interact with peers in the industry and academia
CLOSE COLLABORATIONS
The Department of Energy Technology places great emphasis on being
an international and collaboration oriented university with world class
experimental facilities.
The department has a comprehensive collaboration with the industry
in both research projects and consulting and is proud of the fact
that numerous world renowned companies have chosen to have in-
house divisions at the department, which contributes to ever closer
collaborations.
Please find information about possibilities for cooperating with the
Department of Energy Technology on page 26.
T H E D E P A R T M E N T O FE N E R G Y T E C H N O L O G Y
FACTS
• App. 60 faculty members
• App. 100 PhD’s
• More than 30 guest researchers
• App. 30 TAP (technical administrative employees)
• App. 360 students
• More than 75 ongoing collaboration projects
• App. 60% of the turnover comes from external projects
• Total turnover app. 140 Million
TEACHIN G L ES S O N
5
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
WIND POWER SYSTEMS
FLUID POWER IN WIND AND WAVE ENERGY
OFFSHORE ENERGY SYSTEMS
BIOMASS
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
MODERN POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
INTELLIGENT ENERGY SYSTEMS AND ACTIVE NETWORKS
MICROGRIDS
FUEL CELL AND BATTERY SYSTEMS
E-MOBILITY AND INDUSTRIAL DRIVES
EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE POWER ELECTRONICS
THERMOELECTRICS
GREEN BUILDINGS
ORGANISATION – DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TECHNOLOGY
PUBLICATIONS
DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLICATIONS
200
300
400
500
100
02010 2011 2012 2013 2014
MIL
LIO
NS
TOTAL TURNOVER
DEVELOPMENT IN TURNOVER
2010
100
150
200
50
02011 2012 2013 2014
External turnoverTotal turnover
ELECTRIC
POWER SYSTEMS
POWER
ELECTRONIC
SYSTEMS
ELECTRICAL
MACHINES
FLUID POWER
AND MECHATRONIC
SYSTEMS
THERMO
FLUIDS
THERMAL
ENERGY
SYSTEMS
ESBJERG
ENERGY SECTION
DEPARTMENT ORGANISATION IN 7 SECTIONS AND 13 RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
6
S E C T I O N S A T T H E D E P A R T M E N T
THE DEPARTMENT IS ORGANISED IN SEVEN SECTIONS. EACH SEC-
TION REPRESENTS THE TECHNICAL BACKGROUND AND CORE
COMPETENCE AREAS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS
The section of Electric Power Systems focuses on integration and control
of renewable dispersed fluctuating power sources and energy storages
together with demand side response, HVAC, and HVDC interconnections
as well as network grid layout and structures.
POWER ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
The section of Power Electronic Systems works with power electronic
components and construction of power electronic converters and systems
with special focus on energy optimal design, reliability, integration, and
optimization of system performance.
ELECTRICAL MACHINES
Focus within the section of Electrical Machines is on development
and design of new types of electric motors, actuators, generators, and
magnetic gears, applying modern technologies, topologies, and materials.
FLUID POWER AND MECHATRONIC SYSTEMS
The section of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems deals with
challenges regarding design and control of fluid power as well as
mechatronic components, and systems for optimization of system
performance.
THERMO FLUIDS
Focus within the section of Thermo Fluids is on reacting and non-
reacting flows, simulation of multiphase flow as well as emerging energy
technologies including green gas, liquid energy carriers, electrochemical
conversion, and storage systems.
THERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
The section of Thermal Energy Systems deals with heating and cooling,
process integration and chemical conversion and works with applications
like fuel cell systems, renewable energy supply, systems for buildings,
CHP and waste heat recovery technologies.
ESBJERG ENERGY SECTION
The Esbjerg Energy Section is an interdisciplinary section and the core
competence areas are primarily fluid mechanics and combustion for
thermal energy systems and bioenergy systems. Power systems and
electronic control for offshore energy systems are other core competence
areas. In the future the Esbjerg Energy Section will cover all the core
competence areas of the department.
SECTION LEADERS
E L E C T R I C P O W E R S Y S T E M SP R O F E S S O R C L A U S L E T H B A K
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 8 1 , C L B @ E T. A A U . D K
P O W E R E L E C T R O N I C S Y S T E M SP R O F E S S O R S T I G M U N K - N I E L S E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 4 2 , S M N @ E T. A A U . D K
E L E C T R I C A L M A C H I N E SA S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R P E T E R O M A N D R A S M U S S E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 4 4 , P O R @ E T. A A U . D K
F L U I D P O W E R A N D M E C H A T R O N I C S Y S T E M SP R O F E S S O R T O R B E N O . A N D E R S E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 6 9 , T O A @ E T. A A U . D K
T H E R M O F L U I D SA S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R H E N R I K S Ø R E N S E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 3 3 0 6 , H S @ E T. A A U . D K
T H E R M A L E N E R G Y S Y S T E M SA S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R M A D S P A G H N I E L S E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 5 9 , M P N @ E T. A A U . D K
E S B J E R G E N E R G Y S E C T I O NA S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R J E N S B O H O L M - N I E L S E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 3 3 1 7 , J H N @ E T. A A U . D K
7
SHELL ECO MARATHON 2015
PHD RES E A R C H DAY 2 0 15
TH E MIN ISTE R FO R C LIM ATE, ENERGY AND BUILD
ING
VIS
ITS
TH
E D
EP
AR
TM
EN
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DRIVES AN D TRACTION LABORATORY
G R AD UAT I O N C E R E M O NY
MV LA B O R ATO RY
F U E L C E L L A N D BAT TERY SYSTEM
S L
AB
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PROTOTYPE WORKS H OP
W I N D P O W E RS Y S T E M S
PROGRAMME PURPOSE
The purpose of the programme is to conduct leading edge research in the field of the wind power
systems, to improve reliability, energy efficiency and cost reduction for future wind power systems, to
support the developments of the wind turbine technologies for the industry and to help the integration
of wind power into future energy systems.
CORE CHALLENGES
The research programme includes many different subjects related to “Wind Power Systems”. The
core challenges are related to the following topics:
• Components in wind turbines/farms
• Control and monitoring of wind turbines/farms
• Planning, design and optimization of large scale wind farms
• Wind power integration into future energy systems.
We work on various main electrical components, such as
generators, power electronic converters and other wind
farm electrical systems, focusing on optimal design, operation
and control. We also develop simulation and design tools for wind
power conversion systems so as to integrate the power grid
simulation and wind turbine system simulation to meet the grid
code requirements and optimise the wind turbine system performance.
Furthermore, we work on offshore wind power grids and optimisation of
large-scale offshore wind farms.” Zhe Chen, programme leader.
The programme is an active part of Wind Energy Structures and Technologies (WEST) at Aalborg
University, Danish Academy of Wind Energy (DAWE) and is closely associated with the European
Academy of Wind Energy (EAWE) and the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). The programme
is also actively related to Wind Energy of SDC (Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research), for
which Professor Zhe Chen is the principal investigator. SDC is a centre established between eight
Danish universities and Graduate University of Chinese Academic of Science for developing research,
education and collaboration with the industry.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
• Hardware-in-the-loop test platform including Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS), OPAL-RT and
dSPACE control system
• DFIG-based wind turbine system
• Modular Multilevel Converters (MMC) for wind power systems
• DC network test system for offshore wind power.
E X A M P L E S O F R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S
T H E N O R W E G I A N C E N T R E
F O R O F F S H O R E W I N D E N E R G Y
( N O R C O W E )
I N N W I N D – I N N O V A T I V E
W I N D C O N V E R S I O N S Y S T E M S
( 1 0 - 2 0 M W ) F O R O F F S H O R E
A P P L I C A T I O N S
R E S E A R C H O N D C N E T W O R K
C O N N E C T I O N W I T H A N O V E L
W I N D P O W E R G E N E R A T I O N
S Y S T E M
H A R M O N I Z E D I N T E G R A T I O N O F
G A S , D I S T R I C T H E A T I N G A N D
E L E C T R I C S Y S T E M S ( H I G H E )
F U T U R E D E E P S E A W I N D
T U R B I N E T E C H N O L O G I E S
( D E E P W I N D )
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
P R O F E S S O R
Z H E C H E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 5 5
Z C H @ E T. A A U . D K
V I C E P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R
W E I H A O H U
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 3 3 3 6
W H U @ E T. A A U . D K
W I N D . E T. A A U . D K
8
9
F L U I D P O W E R I N W I N DA N D W A V E E N E R G Y
PROGRAMME PURPOSE
The overall mission of the Fluid Power in Wind and Wave Energy research programme is to conduct
research to advance and develop new components and systems for wind and wave energy applications.
The activities are concentrated around the three classes of core activities: development of new
components, designing new and better systems and development of advanced control strategies.
The research activities are based on a combination of theoretical work, modelling and simulation and
experimental validation and uses a truly mechatronic design approach combining the key areas of
fluid technology, electrical and mechanical engineering, control theory and optimization.
CORE CHALLENGES
The activities in the research programme are concentrated around the core challenges:
• Research and development in relation to high-efficient and reliable Discrete Displacement
Technology (DDT) components and systems
• Designing control strategies for DDT components and systems
• Designing advanced control of wind turbines in relation to fluid power systems (pitch, yaw, etc.)
• Development of high-efficiency control strategies for wave energy converters.
Fluid power is an often overlooked technology that is conceived as being inefficient and messy.
However when dealing with extreme forces and torques, which is typically the case for wind
turbines and wave energy converters, fluid power technology has the potential to overcome and solve
many of the technical challenges, which are foreseen and which may otherwise be limiting factors
for future development. New component types and systems based on digital displacement technology
not only mean much higher efficiencies, but also better reliability and robustness, and are hence far
from the general conception of fluid power as inefficient and messy.” Henrik C. Pedersen, programme
leader.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
The research programme benefits from world class laboratory facilities for testing both components
and systems in full scale using state-of-the-art transducers and measurement equipment. The
laboratory facilities include:
• Large scale hydraulic power supplies (325 kW and 110 kW and a range of medium
size power units)
• Full scale wave simulator test bench
• Custom set-ups for testing components
• State of the art measurement equipment and transducers in all ranges.
E X A M P L E S O F R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S
H Y D R I V E : H Y D R O S T A T I C
D R I V E T R A I N T R A N S M I S S I O N
F O R R E N E W A B L E E N E R G Y
A P P L I C A T I O N S
D I G I T A L H Y D R A U L I C P O W E R
T A K E O F F F O R W A V E E N E R G Y
F U T U R E H Y D R A U L I C P I T C H
S Y S T E M S
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R
H E N R I K C . P E D E R S E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 7 5
H C P @ E T. A A U . D K
V I C E P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
P R O F E S S O R
T O R B E N O . A N D E R S E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 6 9
T O A @ E T. A A U . D K
F L U I D - P O W E R . E T. A A U . D K
O F F S H O R EE N E R G Y S Y S T E M S
PROGRAMME PURPOSE
The purpose of the programme is to explore, research and develop innovative and breakthrough
engineering methodology/methods and technology/techniques for harnessing different types of
offshore energy in a reliable, sustainable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner.
CORE CHALLENGES
The programme especially focuses on the modeling, optimization, control and fault/failure diagnosis
of offshore oil and gas production processes, offshore wind turbine/wind farm, marine communication
and underwater robotics. Such as:
• Drilling automation for offshore oil and gas exploration
• Optimization of offshore oil and gas production systems and processes
• Cost-effective offshore energy harness analysis and design
• Oil spell/leakage inspection and diagnosis for pipelines, processes and utilities
• Zero-(pollutant)-discharge techniques for produced water treatment
• Technologies for underwater inspection and maintenance for offshore structures
• Optimization of offshore wind turbine and wind farm operation
• Research on new technologies and new components for offshore wind energy systems
• Offshore communication and telepresence, remote maintenance and operation
• Optimization of the operation and production of the offshore and floating wind turbines
• Specialized mechatronics for remotely operated drills and automated operations of robotic drills
to improve time- and cost effectiveness and reduce risk of operating errors
• Advanced ROV technologies for inspection of FPSO risers, manifolds and flow-lines
• Development of algorithms and components for underwater vehicles (AUV/ROV).
More than 71% of the earth surface is covered by water. There is limitless energy covered or
held by water, such as oil and gas under the sea floor, ocean thermal energy, tidal energy,
wave energy, offshore wind energy, as well as solar energy. However, to harness these energies is
far beyond simple and straightforward, due to challenges of the complicated geology and harsh
environment.” Zhenyu Yang, programme leader.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
• PDPWAC Lab - Plant-wide De-oiling of Produced Water
using Advanced Control (PDPWAC) laboratory
• GreenOil Lab – Green Produced Water Treatment for Offshore Oil
and Gas Production laboratory
• Offshore Lab – test and analysis of the offshore structures
and subsea devices in Wave basin/Water tank
• H2-LAB (Hydraulic and Hydrodynamic Laboratory) – test and
analysis of subsea and hydraulic systems.
E X A M P L E S O F R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S
P L A N T - W I D E D E - O I L I N G O F
P R O D U C E D W A T E R U S I N G
A D V A N C E D C O N T R O L ( P D P W A C )
S T A B I L I Z A T I O N A N D C O N T R O L
O F S A T E L L I T E - T R A C K I N G
A N T E N N A S F O R M A R I N E
C O M M U N I C A T I O N ( S T A R 2 C O M )
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
A S S O C I A T E D P R O F E S S O R
Z H E N Y U Y A N G
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 7 6 0 8
Y A N G @ E T. A A U . D K
V I C E P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R
M O H S E N S O LT A N I
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 8 7 4 4
S M S @ E T. A A U . D K
O F F S H O R E - E N E R G Y. E T. A A U . D K
1 0
1 1
B I O M A S S
PROGRAMME PURPOSE
The Biomass research programme has its main focus on thermo-chemical and bio-chemical
conversion of biomass for the purposes of either energy or solid/liquid/gaseous biofuel production.
Activities cover the full value chain from feedstocks through conversion to end use application
for example in engines or power stations and further developments into fully
equipped biorefinery platforms. Geographically, the Biomass research
programme has activities at both Aalborg and Esbjerg campus.
CORE CHALLENGES
The research programme has activities directed toward a number
of pertinent challenges concerning the use of biomass for energy
purposes. These include:
• Quantification of 2. generation and uncompromised biomass
resources using GIS based methods
• Quantification of biomass feedstocks as suitable candidates for different
energy technologies
• Optimized production of green gas from agricultural and agroindustrial residues
• Drop-in liquid biofuels as a strategic pathway to green transport
• Sustainable production of liquid biocrude through thermochemical pathways.
A major challenge for the European Union is to live up to the GHG reduction targets set up for
2020 and 2030. This requires a different approach to biofuel implementation than currently,
In that focus should be on designing sustainable pathways to compatible liquid fuels – the drop-in
paradigm – adding to the hydrocarbon pool rather than on complete pathways requiring new
infrastructure and leading to incompatible final grade fuels.” Lasse Rosendahl, programme leader.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
• Continuous Bench Scale 1 (CBS1) near-pilot scale hydrothermal liquefaction research facility
• Chemical analysis lab for biomass, bio-crude and transport grade fuel characterization
• Distillation and upgrading (hydrogen treatment) facilities for biocrude upgrading
• End use technology test facilities (diesel engines up to 1600HP, aeroengine (200HP), 400
kW combustion platform.
E X A M P L E S O F R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S
C 3 B O – C E N T E R F O R
B I O O I L S . R E S E A R C H I N T O
H Y D R O T H E R M A L L I Q U E F A C T I O N
P L A T F O R M F O R S U S T A I N A B L E
F U E L P R O D U C T I O N F R O M
L I G N O C E L L U L O S I C B I O M A S S E S
F L E X I F U E L . I N V E S T I G A T I N G
C A T A LY T I C P A T H W A Y S T O
E N H A N C E D C O N V E R S I O N
E F F I C I E N C Y I N T H E
S U P E R C R I T I C A L R E G I M E
S U L P H U R - F R E E M A R I N E
B I O F U E L F R O M W O O D
I N B I O M 2 . 0 - I N N O V A T I O N
N E T W O R K F O R B I O M A S S
L A R G E S C A L E B I O E N E R G Y L A B
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
P R O F E S S O R
L A S S E R O S E N D A H L
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 6 3
L A R @ E T. A A U . D K
B I O M A S S . E T. A A U . D K
P H O T O V O LT A I CS Y S T E M S
PROGRAMME PURPOSE
The primary focus of this programme is on grid connected photovoltaic systems. Research activities
include characterisation and fault detection in PV panels and arrays, control and topologies of PV
inverters, as well as grid integration issues in residential and large PV plants. The programme also
engages in education activities at both MSc and PhD level.
The research programme offers high quality PV panel test and characterisation services for the
industry.
CORE CHALLENGES
The programme focuses on a number of key challenges mostly related to the optimal operation of
PV systems and integration of PV power into the electricity grid:
• Condition monitoring and automatic diagnostics for photovoltaic plants
• High sensitivity fault detection and identification in PV panels in laboratory and field environment
• Distributed control of module integrated converters (DC modules)
• Reliability issues of PV inverters and control for reliability
• PV power integration in the low voltage distribution grid
• Grid integration of large PV power plants.
Photovoltaics is well on the way of becoming a major
source of electricity worldwide. With the reduction of the
investment cost for PV installations, operational costs become
more significant in the total cost, calling for techniques to
optimize system operation. The fast growth of PV capacity
connected to the electricity grid makes the grid integration aspects
of this intermittent source of energy increasingly important.” Dezso
Sera, programme leader.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
• PV inverter test setup: High bandwidth PV array simulator with linear post-processing unit
(Regatron, 1000V- 40V), High Precision Power Analyser (Yokogawa WT3000), Fully programmable
four quadrant grid simulator (California Instruments MX‐30)
• PV panels test and measurement setup: Flash Sun simulator (SPI-Sun 5600 SLP), Class A+ A+ A+,
module size up to 2000mm X 1370mm, dark and light current-voltage curve measurement
• Optical PV module characterisation setup: InGaAs short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera for
electroluminescence (EL) tests, with resolution 640x512 pixels, spectral range of 0.9 to 1.7 microns
wavelengths, 25fps, IR camera for thermal imaging, resolution 320x240, spectral range of 7.5 to
13 micron, sensitivity 0.05°C @ 30°C
• Grid connected converter setups (five identical converter systems controlled by dSPACE system
featuring four‐quadrant operation capability) for control development and teaching purposes
• PV array diagnostic setup: 1kW dual-stage grid connected inverter controlled by dSPACE system
• PV plant monitoring and data acquisition system (PVDAAQ) featuring high sampling rate
environmental data and remote I-V curve measurements.
E X A M P L E S O F R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S
S M A R T P H O T O V O LT A I C S Y S T E M S
F U L LY A U T O M A T E D S E R V I C E
E X E C U T I O N P L A T F O R M F O R
P H O T O V O LT A I C P O W E R P L A N T S
– F A S E
R E M O T E M O N I T O R I N G A N D
A N A LY S I S O F P V S Y S T E M S
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R
D E Z S O S E R A
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 3 3 0 7
D E S @ E T. A A U . D K
V I C E P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
P R O F E S S O R
R E M U S T E O D O R E S C U
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 4 9
R E T @ E T. A A U . D K
P V - S Y S T E M S . E T. A A U . D K
1 2
1 3
M O D E R N P O W E R T R A N S M I S S I O N S Y S T E M S
PROGRAMME PURPOSE
The mission of the research programme is to conduct research at the highest level, in order to allow
a technically sound and long-term reliable transition of today’s power transmission system into a
modern transmission system capable of handling the demands of the future transmission system
(e.g. dispersed generation, long HVAC cables, multiterminal HVDC, harmonic propagation). This is a
huge and expensive task of a very high importance for modern society.
CORE CHALLENGES
• HVAC transmission cable technology, both equipment and system studies
• Operation of HVDC multiterminal transmission networks
• Offshore-to-onshore network connection
• Development of modern relay protection
• Load shedding for systems with a high penetration of renewable energies
• Network restoration in systems with few conventional power plants
• Propagation of harmonics in modern power systems (HVDC, cables, weak networks)
• High voltage issues and design of new composite transmission towers with less visual impact
• Electromagnetic transients studies and development of simulation models
• Insulation coordination issues
• Coordination between HV networks and electrified railways.
Power systems are the backbone of our modern society. Just
imagine how life would be without electricity – a scaring
thought! The power system has evolved over the last century and
today and in the future it faces tremendous challenges, because
energy needs to be supplied in a more sustainable way in order to
preserve our environment. It is quite a challenge to include renewable
sources such as offshore wind and photovoltaics and at the same time
avoid the visual impact of power transmission and be able to accommodate
the demands of the expanding electricity market in Europe. That puts what is
considered among the world’s most complex human-made systems to something resembling a
revolution.” Claus Leth Bak, programme leader.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
• High-Voltage Laboratory with impulse generator up to 800 kV
• Medium-Voltage Laboratory with 2MVA/20 kV
• Diversified measuring and test equipment including portable impulse generators and GPS
synchronised acquisition equipment
• Real time digital system (RTDS) and relay laboratories
• Software for power systems analysis like PSCAD, DigSilent, Matlab and Comsol.
E X A M P L E S O F R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S
D A N P A C – H V A C C A B L E S
T R A N S M I S S I O N N E T W O R K S
H A R M O N Y – H A R M O N I C
I D E N T I F I C A T I O N , M I T I G A T I O N
A N D C O N T R O L I N P O W E R
E L E C T R O N I C S B A S E D P O W E R
S Y S T E M S
P O P Y F U – P O W E R P Y L O N S O F
T H E F U T U R E
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
P R O F E S S O R
C L A U S L E T H B A K
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 8 1
C L B @ E T. A A U . D K
V I C E P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R
F I L I P E F A R I A D A S I L V A
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 8 0
F F S @ E T. A A U . D K
P O W E R - S Y S T E M S . E T. A A U . D K
I N T E L L I G E N T E N E R G Y S Y S T E M S A N D A C T I V E N E T W O R K S
PROGRAMME PURPOSE
The purpose of the programme is to conduct research within coherent energy systems where the
interaction between electricity, gas, heat, transport and energy storage systems applying ICT are
the key research areas of the programme. Control, stability and reliability of the transmission and
distribution systems with a large amount of renewable and dispersed generation as well as new
controllable loads are in focus. The focus is also on providing coordinated control and operation,
provision of ancillary services and the possibility to run a self-sustained renewable based energy
system.
CORE CHALLENGES
The research programme includes many different subjects related to “Intelligent Energy Systems and
Active Networks”. The core challenges are related to the following topics:
• Grid integration of distributed generation (including wind power, PV-systems and combined heat
and power plants) and flexible loads (heat pumps, electric vehicles, electric boilers, electrolysers,
etc.)
• Smart metering, Demand Response and Demand Side Management
• Distribution system analysis
• Power to Heat (P2H), Power to Gas (P2G), Power to Storage and transportation systems (V2G)
• Energy storage technologies and energy management
• Stability and reliability of power systems
• Hierarchical and distributed control architectures including ICT
• Fault calculation, localisation and relay protection
• Power quality and power conditioning (including inter-harmonics and sub-harmonics)
• Optimal power flow (deterministic/probabilistic)
• Network planning including long term and short term forecast methods
• Power compensation devices and systems
• Efficient control and market based regulation of the power systems.
The focus of the European Union is to redesign the entire architecture of the electricity network
at both transmission level and at distribution level in order to accommodate Distributed
Generation from renewable sources and to use intelligent methods for the control of the network
grid.” Birgitte Bak-Jensen, programme leader.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
• Real time digital system (RTDS) laboratory
• Smart grid laboratory with emulators for dispersed generation, storage facilities, loads, industrial
controllers at different levels, communication network emulators, etc.
• Advanced computer simulation tools for power systems like DigSilent from Power Factory, PSCAD-
EMTDC and Matlab with diverse toolboxes and libraries
• Cooperation with the utilities for verification and validation of developed benchmark models for
networks and components.
E X A M P L E S O F R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S
S M A R T C O N T R O L O F E N E R G Y
D I S T R I B U T I O N G R I D S
O V E R H E T E R O G E N E O U S
C O M M U N I C A T I O N N E T W O R K S
A R R O W H E A D , W H I C H
L O O K S I N T O C O O P E R A T I V E
A U T O M A T I O N F O R D Y N A M I C
I N T E R A C T I O N B E T W E E N E N E R G Y
P R O D U C E R S A N D E N E R G Y
C O N S U M E R S , M A C H I N E S ,
A N D B E T W E E N P E O P L E A N D
S Y S T E M S
T O T A L F L E X , W H I C H A C T I V A T E S
A L L P I E C E S O F D E M A N D
R E S P O N S E F R O M H O U S E H O L D S
I N A F L E X I B L E M A N N E R
C O N T R O L , P R O T E C T I O N A N D
D E M A N D R E S P O N S E I N L O W
V O LT A G E G R I D S
E F F I C I E N T D I S T R I B U T I O N O F
G R E E N E N E R G Y
D E V E L O P M E N T O F A
S E C U R E , E C O N O M I C A N D
E N V I R O N M E N T A L LY F R I E N D LY
M O D E R N P O W E R S Y S T E M
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R
B I R G I T T E B A K - J E N S E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 7 4
B B J @ E T. A A U . D K
I N T E L L I G E N T - E N E R G Y-
S Y S T E M S . E T. A A U . D K
1 4
1 5
M I C R O G R I D S
PROGRAMME PURPOSE
The Microgrids research programme provides control solutions and energy management of AC
and DC Microgrids, involving centralized and distributed control architectures, power quality and
protections, multi agent systems, standard-based information and communication technologies,
online optimization techniques and supervisory systems. The research programme also focuses on
sustainable solutions and optimal use of energy.
All of the foregoing can also be conceived within a problem based learning (PBL) education for
Postgraduates, PhD students and industrial partners. The programme also promotes national and
international cooperation with universities, institutions and companies.
CORE CHALLENGES
The research programme intends to conduct leading research at an international level which aims
to achieve the following core challenges:
• Low and Medium Voltage microgrids
• AC and DC minigrids for ships and aircrafts
• Hybrid energy storage systems for islanded grids and multiple
microgrid clusters
• Microgrids and minigrids in emergent countries and rural
areas
• Advanced Metering Infrastructure for microgrids
• LVDC distribution architectures for residential applications
(DC homes)
• DC Electrical Vehicle charging solutions
• Distributed active power filters for microgrid power quality improvement
• Provision of ancillary services.
Today, by using Microgrids, energy is generated near to the consumer loads and thus part of
losses due to electrical transmission in conventional electric grids is avoided. We can imagine
that our houses can use Microgrids to store electricity when it is not needed and to use the electricity
generated from the sun during the night. In that sense, Microgrids involve different technologies such
as power electronics equipment, ICT, renewable generation, storage and loads. In order to coordinate
these diverse elements, several layers of control are necessary. This will enhance energy efficiency,
flexibility and independence from the electrical main grid, but also, it allows cost savings in the
variable electricity price scenario.” Josep Guerrero, programme leader.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
• Intelligent Microgrid Laboratory (iMGlab)
• Intelligent DC Microgrid Living Lab (iDClab)
• HighPower Microgrid Laboratory (HPMGlab)
• Flywheel/Supercap Integrated Platform for Microgrid Systems (FLYCAP) (envisioned).
E X A M P L E S O F R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S
I N T E L L I G E N T D C M I C R O G R I D
L I V I N G L A B
– D S F S I N O D A N I S H
M I C R O G R I D T E C H N O L O G Y
R E S E A R C H A N D
D E M O N S T R A T I O N
- E U D P S I N O D A N I S H
F L E X I B L E E L E C T R I C V E H I C L E
C H A R G I N G I N F R A S T R U C T U R E
F L E X – C H E V
– E R A N E T
A C T I V E P O W E R
F U N C T I O N A L I T I E S F O R P O W E R
C O N V E R T E R S I N W I N D P O W E R
P L A N T S
– F O R S K E L
F U T U R E R E S I D E N T I A L L V D C
P O W E R D I S T R I B U T I O N
A R C H I T E C T U R E S
- D F F S T A R T I N G G R A N T
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
P R O F E S S O R
J O S E P G U E R R E R O
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 7 2 6
J O Z @ E T. A A U . D K
V I C E P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R
J U A N C A R L O S V A S Q U E Z
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 7 2 4
J U Q @ E T. A A U . D K
M I C R O G R I D S . E T. A A U . D K
F U E L C E L L A N DB A T T E R Y S Y S T E M S
PROGRAMME PURPOSE
The Fuel Cell and Battery Systems research programme is centred on electrochemical conversion and
storage of energy covering the entire chain from single fuel cell and battery cells to complete systems.
Cell level activities focus on acquiring fundamental understanding of performance and durability of
the technologies through advanced measurements coupled with comprehensive simulation models.
At the stack/pack and system levels, performance optimisation, diagnostics, prognosis and control
concept development are key activities.
CORE CHALLENGES
The research programme has activities directed toward a number of core challenges concerning
the efficient conversion and storage of energy using electrochemical technologies. These include:
• Quantification of performance and performance degradation of fuel cells, electrolyzer cells and
battery cells using advanced experimental techniques
• Optimization of core technologies through advanced 1-, 2- and 3-D multi-physics simulations
coupling fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer with electrochemistry
• Advanced management and monitoring systems with diagnostics and prognostics features such
as State-of-Health and Remaining-Useful-Lifetime prediction
• Optimization of system performance and efficiency through advanced thermodynamic modelling
• Quantification of system reliability and failure mechanisms to predict cost of ownership
• Energy system balancing technologies including electrolysis, methanol synthesis and methanation
based on for example upgrading of bio-derived syngas.
Efficient conversion and storage of energy is a key challenge in the transition to a fossil-free
energy system in 2050. Electrochemical devices such as fuel cells,
electrolysis cells and batteries can help balance the energy systems and
support the fuelling of the transport sector.” Søren Knudsen Kær,
programme leader.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
• A range of commercial (Greenlight Innovation) and in-house
fuel cell test benches that include reformate simulation and
electrochemical tests (EIS, CV, H2 crossover, etc.). From 20W to
12 kW electric power
• Climatic chambers up to 1200L that enable temperature and humidity
control in a wide range
• A large number of ovens to characterize battery storage degradation and accelerated ageing tests
• A range of gas analysers to measure fuel cell exhaust and reformate gas composition
• Battery cell test stations from Fuelcon, Maccor and Digatron with a test capacity of around 100
cells simultaneously
• Battery module test station from Digatron
• Bi-directional power supplies/loads ranging from 1 kW to 50 kW
• dSpace battery simulator for battery management system development.
E X A M P L E S O F R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S
A L P B E S , A D V A N C E D L I F E T I M E
P R E D I C T I O N O F B A T T E R Y
E N E R G Y S T O R A G E
B A T T E R I E S 2 0 2 0 : T O W A R D S
R E A L I S T I C E U R O P E A N
C O M P E T I T I V E A U T O M O T I V E
B A T T E R I E S
4 M , M E C H A N I S M S ,
M A T E R I A L S , M A N U F A C T U R I N G
A N D M A N A G E M E N T –
I N T E R D I S C I P L I N A R Y
F U N D A M E N T A L R E S E A R C H T O
P R O M O T E C O M M E R C I A L I Z A T I O N
O F H T - P E M F C
R E S T, R E L I A B I L I T Y E S T I M A T I O N
A N D T E S T I N G I N H Y D R O G E N
A N D F U E L C E L L S Y S T E M S
E - S T O R E : F U R T H E R
I M P R O V E M E N T O F P E M
E L E C T R O LY S I S F O R F L E X I B L E
E N E R G Y S T O R A G E , I N N O V A T I O N
F U N D D E N M A R K - E N E R G Y A N D
E N V I R O N M E N T
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
P R O F E S S O R
S Ø R E N K N U D S E N K Æ R
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 3 3 0 0
S K K @ E T. A A U . D K
F U E L - C E L L S . E T. A A U . D K
1 6
1 7
E - M O B I L I T Y A N DI N D U S T R I A L D R I V E S
PROGRAMME PURPOSE
The main purposes of the research carried out in this programme are to reduce the energy consumption
and cost of industrial drives and to secure a clean, efficient, comfortable and cost-effective transport
sector based on electric drive trains and intelligent integration with the grid.
CORE CHALLENGES
• Efficient, compact and cost effective electric machines and drives
• Grid integration of electric vehicles
• Energy storage devices
• Hybridization and energy management strategies
• Power electronic merging with multiple functionalities
• Comfortable and user friendly solutions
• Fast charging
• Energy harvesting in industrial and mobile applications
• Diagnostic and reduction of sensors
• Micro electromagnetic robots and generators.
Each time the energy density of batteries are improved, there are new
applications within the field of transport where an electric drive system can be used instead
of the traditional propulsion system based on the combustion engine. However, in order to speed-up
the process of electrifying the transport sector many other aspects should also be considered; for
example hybridization and continuous loss reduction of all the components in the drive train.” Erik
Schaltz, programme leader.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
• Flexible Drive System Laboratory consisting of five dSpace-based 4-qudrant motor setups
• Advanced Electric Machine and Drive Laboratory with two test benches loaded by Siemens Drive
Serving for smart load profile simulation
• Static electrical machine test system for fast characterization of electrical machine parameters
• Vehicle and HeavyLab with several bidirectional power supplies of up to 50 kW for Hardware-In-
the-Loop (HIL) testing
• Lithium-Ion battery pack (40 kWh)
• Electric vehicle platform for field testing of various electric vehicle components
• Equipment for magnetic field measurement
• Various battery test equipment for cell, module and pack testing
• Various ad-hoc load systems for large machines, high speed machines, linear drives, etc.
E X A M P L E S O F R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S
A D V A N C E D C O M P O N E N T S F O R
E L E C T R O - M O B I L I T Y U S A G E
( A C E M U )
C O M P A C T I N T E L L I G E N T
P O W E R F U L E L E C T R I C
D R I V E T R A I N ( C I P E D )
F U E L C E L L S H A F T P O W E R P A C K
( F C S P P )
M A G N E T I C L E A D S C R E W B A S E D
A C T U A T O R
T O M O R R O W ’ S H I G H - E F F I C I E N C Y
E L E C T R I C C A R I N T E G R A T E D
W I T H T H E P O W E R S U P P LY
S Y S T E M
V A R I A B L E - S P E E D , R O B U S T
S Y N C H R O N O U S R E L U C T A N C E
M A C H I N E D R I V E S Y S T E M S
W I R E L E S S I N D U C T I V E
C H A R G I N G T O I N T E R O P E R A T I O N
T E S T I N G ( W I C 2 I T )
A H I G H E F F I C I E N C Y F A N D R I V E
S Y S T E M ( M A G F A N )
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R
E R I K S C H A LT Z
+ 4 5 9 2 4 0 3 3 0 2
E S C @ E T. A A U . D K
V I C E P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R
K A I Y U A N L U
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 8 8
K L U @ E T. A A U . D K
D R I V E S . E T. A A U . D K
E F F I C I E N T A N D R E L I A B L E P O W E R E L E C T R O N I C S
PROGRAMME PURPOSE
The purpose of this programme is to develop innovative power electronic
converters and systems to all relevant applications, which are efficient,
reliable and cost-competitive by means of reduction in manufacturing,
maintenance and operational costs.
CORE CHALLENGES
• Future power electronics products target for ppm level of return
rate, with optimized life-cycle performance in terms of energy
efficiency and cost
• Undesirable harmonics and resonances in local electrical network and
power systems
• Lack of design tools for efficiency, reliability and cost oriented power electronics design
• Emerging applications of power electronics under harsh environments and long operation hours
• Emerging active devices and passive components need paradigm shifts in packaging technology
and power electronics design.
70% of all electrical energy is processed by power electronics. Therefore our goal is to develop
the future generation of power electronic converters, which are benchmarked to high efficiency,
higher power density, low weight, low cost and at the same time focusing on the reliability in the
power converters.” Frede Blaabjerg, programme leader.
The applications are very wide as power electronics is used in production, transmission and
consumption of energy in photovoltaics, wind turbines, refrigerators, pumps, computers, televisions
or the like. The power range of applications is from W to MW. The group designs power electronics
equipment with attention to apply the proper technology and control. The programme provides tools
for optimization of efficiency and reliability as well as prototyping of the converters towards industrial
application. It also addresses better understanding of how reliability of power electronic devices and
systems is influenced by different stress factors and develops prognostic tools in the power electronic
converter for predictive maintenance.
We strive for the highest excellence in research and education, and to be one of the top 10 research
groups in power electronics in the world in terms of publications, impact (citations) and reputation.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
• High power semiconductor device electrical, thermal, and wear-out testing facilities
• Scanning Electron Microscope
• Advanced capacitor testing system
• Power converter prototypes in W, KW and MW levels and latest control and simulation software.
E X A M P L E S O F R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S
H A R M O N Y - H A R M O N I C
I D E N T I F I C A T I O N , M I T I G A T I O N
A N D C O N T R O L I N P O W E R
E L E C T R O N I C S B A S E D P O W E R
S Y S T E M S
I N T E L L I G E N T A N D E F F I C I E N T
P O W E R E L E C T R O N I C S ( I E P E )
C E N T E R O F R E L I A B L E P O W E R
E L E C T R O N I C S ( C O R P E )
R E L I A B I L I T Y O F C A P A C I T O R S I N
P O W E R E L E C T R O N I C S Y S T E M S
( R E L I A C A P )
H I G H LY E F F I C I E N T, L O W - C O S T
E N E R G Y G E N E R A T I O N A N D
A C T U A T I O N U S I N G D I S R U P T I V E
D E A P T E C H N O L O G Y
S E M I C O N D U C T O R M A T E R I A L S
F O R P O W E R E L E C T R O N I C S
( S E M P E L )
P O W E R - 2 - E L E C T R O LY S E R S
D S O C H A L L E N G E S F R O M
I N T R O D U C T I O N O F H E A T P U M P S
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
P R O F E S S O R
F R E D E B L A A B J E R G
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 5 4
F B L @ E T. A A U . D K
V I C E P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
P R O F E S S O R
S T I G M U N K - N I E L S E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 4 2
S M N @ E T. A A U . D K
P O W E R - E L E C T R O N I C S . E T. A A U . D K
1 8
1 9
T H E R M O E L E C T R I C S
PROGRAMME PURPOSE
The Thermoelectric research programme has its main focus on design of optimized thermoelectric
energy systems through complete and detail modeling, multi-parameter optimization and hardware
design. Activities in this research programme include multiphysics modeling based on computational
fluid dynamics, control and electrical circuit modeling as well as experimental study involving
individual thermoelectric modules and full thermoelectric systems.
CORE CHALLENGES
To develop innovative and efficient thermoelectric energy systems and to provide an internationally
recognized comprehensive research platform, research in this programme is directed towards the
following challenges:
• Development of advanced modeling and analysis tools for thermoelectrical energy systems and
devices
• Development of advanced optimization procedures for thermoelectrical energy systems
• Development of state-of-the-art dedicated hardware for thermoelectric energy conversion, such
as DC/DC inverters, micro-structured heat exchangers and module architectures
• Experimental facilities to test and analyze systems and devices in order to generate validation
data
• A comprehensive formulation of concept of this technology applied to automotive heat recovery
and hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric systems.
The European Union targeted to decarbonize energy systems in a sustainable way and to
complete the energy internal market, in line with the objectives of the Renewable Energy. Time
is pressing to develop new technologies that are intended to shape energy market frameworks for
2030 and 2050. The thermoelectric technology employs a multidisciplinary system approach from
elementary to system level that can enhance the competitiveness of research based innovation in
Denmark and EU in time to play a role in this emerging market.” Alireza Rezaniakolaei, programme
leader.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
• Thermoelectric generator module characterization
• Measuring of heat transfer and flows in various types of heat
exchangers integrated with thermoelectric device
• Load units and facilities for power electronic and control
strategy of thermoelectric systems.
E X A M P L E S O F R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S
I N T E G R A T E D P H O T O V O LT A I C S
W I T H T H E R M O E L E C T R I C S
C E N T E R F O R T H E R M O E L E C T R I C
E N E R G Y C O N V E R S I O N
N A N O - C A R B O N S F O R V E R S A T I L E
P O W E R S U P P LY M O D U L E S
O X I D E T H E R M O E L E C T R I C S F O R
E F F E C T I V E P O W E R G E N E R A T I O N
F R O M W A S T E H E A T
C E N T E R F O R E N E R G Y
M A T E R I A L S ( C E M )
C O - S I M U L A T I O N A N D
C O - O P T I M I Z A T I O N O F
T H E R M O E L E C T R I C G E N E R A T I O N
S Y S T E M
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R
A L I R E Z A R E Z A N I A K O L A E I
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 7 6
A L R @ E T. A A U . D K
T H E R M O E L E C T R I C S . E T. A A U . D K
2 0
G R E E NB U I L D I N G S
PROGRAMME PURPOSE
The Green Building research programme conducts research within energy supply of buildings based
partly or entirely on sustainable sources. The programme focuses on the generation of space heating,
space cooling, domestic hot water and local heat storage. Considered sources are local at the building
site, centralized at off-site plants such as wind parks, combined heat and power plants, or combined
systems at various levels.
The purpose of the programme is to explore the potential of each individual energy source as well
as the interaction, integration and optimization of combined sources. The research outcome should
provide technical solutions and guidelines for future energy supply strategies of
buildings including the extraction, conversion, distribution and utilization of
energy. Energy storage is investigated as a central part of such supply
systems.
CORE CHALLENGES
In a transition period, where the supply sources of heat and
electricity will change from fossil fuels and into often fluctuating
and unstable sustainable sources, a main challenge will be to ensure
a sufficient and stable energy supply to residential houses and other
buildings. These include:
• Evaluation of individual sustainable energy sources and conversion
technologies as contributors to the total energy supply
• Integration of multiple energy sources for levelling out discrepancies between the production and
the consumption of heat and electricity
• Exploration and evaluation of the necessity and the technologies for energy storage
• Balancing and optimising the ratio of remote and local heat and electricity supply
• Energy management of buildings in a smart energy environment.
During the conversion process from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources, of which a
major number of sources are fluctuating, it is vital that not only individual energy technologies
for utilising renewable energy sources are exploited. A sufficient and stable supply of heat and
electricity for buildings based on sustainable sources requires a close interaction and integration of
the available sources as well as measures for balancing discrepancies between the energy
consumption and the energy production/conversion.” Carsten Bojesen, programme leader.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
• Green Building container equipped with thermal solar panels, photovoltaic panels, vertical axle
wind turbine, air source heat pump and hot water storage tanks
• A separate Green Building lab for testing of a palette of energy sources, conversion and storage
technologies will be established in the newly renovated lab building.
E X A M P L E S O F R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S
4 D H - 4 T H G E N E R A T I O N
O F D I S T R I C T H E A T I N G . A
R E S E A R C H C E N T R E F O R T H E
F U T U R E D I S T R I C T H E A T I N G
C O N C E P T S , S Y S T E M A N D
C O M P O N E N T S
H E A T P U M P S I N T H E E N E R G Y
S Y S T E M . L A R G E H E A T P U M P S
I N T H E D I S T R I C T H E A T I N G G R I D
A N D S M A L L E R H E A T P U M P S I N
R E S I D E N T I A L B U I L D I N G S
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R
C A R S T E N B O J E S E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 3 6 5 9
C B O @ E T. A A U . D K
V I C E P R O G R A M M E L E A D E R :
A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R
M A D S P A G H N I E L S E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 5 9
M P N @ E T. A A U . D K
G R E E N - B U I L D I N G S . E T. A A U . D K
B A C H E L O R A N DM A S T E R O F S C I E N C E
ENERGY IN AALBORG
2 1
ENERGY IN ESBJERG
SPECIALISATION IN OFFSHORE ENERGY SYSTEMS
(OES)
SPECIALISATION IN
DYNAMIC SYSTEMS
SPECIALISATION IN PROCESS ENGINEERING AND COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGY
(PECT)
1ST-4TH SEMESTER MSc
M A S T E R O F S C I E N C E I N E N E R G Y E N G I N E E R I N G
SPECIALISATION IN
THERMAL PROCESSES
5TH-6TH SEMESTER
BASIC COURSES IN
MATH, THERMAL ,
ELECTRICAL ,
MECHANICAL ,
THERMODYNAMIC
AND CONTROL
ENGINEERING
1ST-4TH SEMESTER
B A C H E L O R O F S C I E N C E I N E N E R G Y
FUEL CELLS AND HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY (HYTEC)
THERMAL ENERGY AND PROCESS ENGINEERING (TEPE)SPECIALISATION IN
THERMAL ENGINEERING
(TEE)
MECHATRONIC CONTROL ENGINEERING (MCE)
WIND POWER SYSTEMS (WPS)MECHATRONIC
CONTROL ENGINEERING
(MCE)
ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS AND HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING (EPSH)
POWER ELECTRONICS AND DRIVES (PED)
1ST-4TH SEMESTER MSc
M A S T E R O F S C I E N C E I N E N E R G Y E N G I N E E R I N G
SPECIALISATION IN
ELECTRIC ENERGY
ENGINEERING (EEE)
5TH-6TH SEMESTER
BASIC COURSES IN
MATH, THERMAL ,
ELECTRICAL ,
MECHANICAL ,
THERMODYNAMIC
AND CONTROL
ENGINEERING
1ST-4TH SEMESTER
B A C H E L O R O F S C I E N C E I N E N E R G Y
B A C H E L O R A N D M A S T E R O F S C I E N C E
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TECHNO-
LOGY CONDUCTS TEACHING COVERING
ALL ASPECTS OF ENERGY ENGINEE-
RING FROM PRODUCTION OVER TRANS-
MISSION TO DISTRIBUTION AND EFFI-
CIENT USE OF ENERGY. ALL TEACHING
IS RESEARCH BASED WHICH MEANS
THAT STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM THEIR
TEACHERS AND PROFESSORS BEING RE-
SEARCHERS THEMSELVES.
HENCE, ALL STUDENTS GAIN ACCESS TO THE
NEWEST KNOWLEDGE WITHIN THEIR AREA. FURTHER-
MORE, THE COURSES ARE CONSTRUCTED FOR STUDENTS TO
BE ABLE TO TEST AND TRY OUT THEIR THEORETICAL SKILLS
PRACTICALLY IN WELL-EQUIPPED AND MODERN LABORATO-
RIES.
EDUCATION AND THE INDUSTRY
The study programmes are created in close collaboration with the
industry in order to meet their demands. Every semester the students
have possibilities to choose among a lot of project proposals suggested
by the industry. Some students also take the opportunity to spend a
semester in industry; this is a possibility for students at studies in
Bachelor of Engineering in Sustainable Energy at the 6th semester and
for master students in Energy at their 9th semester.
ADVISORY BOARD AND ADVISORY GROUP
A number of renowned Danish energy companies participate in an
advisory board covering 6 different study boards. The advisory board is
set down by the School of Engineering and Science. Further the Board
of Studies in Energy has an advisory group with industrial members for
the energy area only. Both boards meet once a year. The companies in
these advisory panels help to develop the study programmes by sharing
their points of view and every day challenges. The collaboration with
the advisory board and advisory group continuously strengthens the
relations between the industry and the Department of Energy Technology.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
About 30 % of the students are international. Thus from the 5th semester
and onwards all teaching is in English, partly in order to accommodate
the numerous international students attending the courses, but also to
prepare the Danish students to an international environment. There is
strong student solidarity and students as well as teachers work closely
together across the many specialisations.
PROBLEM BASED LEARNING
Problem based and project oriented learning is a large part of preparing
the students for a carrier in the industry, giving them knowledge about
working with realistic industrial projects and in teams. Further, practical
tests are used to verify the theoretical methods used in the projects.
F U R T H E R
I N F O R M A T I O N
H E A D O F B O A R D O F S T U D I E S
A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R
B I R G I T T E B A K - J E N S E N
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 7 4
B B J @ E T. A A U . D K
S E S . A A U . D K
2 2
S T U D E N T I N T A K E
( F I R S T Y E A R S T U D Y - A A L B O R G A N D E S B J E R G )
2 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 2 0 1 3 2 0 1 4
A A L B O R G U N D E R G R A D U A T E 3 7 3 9 5 8 5 1 5 2
A A L B O R G B A C H E L O R O F E N G I N E E R I N G 0 9 9 1 3 2 3
E S B J E R G U N D E R G R A D U A T E 0 1 8 2 6 3 6 3 1
T O T A L 3 7 6 6 9 3 1 0 0 1 0 6
S T U D E N T I N T A K E
( P O S T G R A D U A T E )
2 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 2 0 1 3 2 0 1 4
A A L B O R G 7 0 6 2 5 9 4 0 5 8
E S B J E R G 0 0 0 1 1 1 3
G R A D U A T E D S T U D E N T S
I N A A L B O R G
2 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 2 0 1 3 2 0 1 4
U N D E R G R A D U A T E 3 3 1 6 3 0 1 8 2 8
B A C H E L O R O F E N G I N E E R I N G 0 0 0 6 5
P O S T G R A D U A T E 2 0 2 2 4 9 3 6 4 2
T O T A L 5 3 3 8 7 9 6 0 7 5
G R A D U A T E D S T U D E N T S I N E S B J E R G
( U N D E R G R A D U A T E )
2 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 2 0 1 3 2 0 1 4
0 0 0 1 1 6
2 3
Up to the 6th semester the students may change from bachelor of science
to bachelor of engineering and vice versa.
P H D
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TECHNO-
LOGY AIMS TO CREATE A SOLID AND
DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT FOR PHD STU-
DENTS TO OBTAIN FUTURE INNOVATIVE
SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY TECHNOLO-
GIES. THE PROGRAMMES INITIATE AC-
TIVITIES LIKE ENERGY-RELATED COUR-
SES FOR PHD STUDENTS, SEMINARS, RE-
CRUITMENT MEETINGS, WORKING GROUPS,
KEYNOTE LECTURES, PHD SUPERVISION
MEETINGS AND SOME SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS ONE MAIN STUDY PROGRAMME
FOR PHD STUDENTS, WHICH BELONGS UNDER THE DOCTO-
RAL SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE. THE RESEARCH
ENVIRONMENT IS STRONGLY INTERNATIONAL AND AIMS TO
PUBLISH RESEARCH RESULTS AT THE HIGHEST INTERNATIO-
NAL LEVEL WITH IMPACT ON ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY.
THE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMME
The programme is a cross-disciplinary PhD programme, which ranges
between many basic engineering and science fields in order to solve
the future challenges in the energy area by means of developing
new energy technologies within the areas of electrical, thermal, and
electromechanical engineering science.
The programme covers a broad range of energy-related topics like the
energy conversion process itself as well as transmission, distribution
and efficient use of energy (both thermal and electrical). The programme
is experimental oriented and offers state of the art lab-facilities in all
the disciplines. The PhD students work in a very close cooperation with
industry both national and international as well as top-level research
institutions worldwide.
The Energy Technology Programme has around 100 PhD students coming
from all over the world. We enrol a great number of PhD students each
year. They publish more than 150 publications in highly esteemed
journals and conferences, such as IEEE, IET, Elsevier and Cigré.
The environment is characterised by a very innovative and positive spirit.
The PhD students and their supervisors and industrial partners interact
in an informal and close cooperation, which leads to world class research
results.
F U R T H E R
I N F O R M A T I O N
H E A D O F T H E E N E R G Y
T E C H N O L O G Y P R O G R A M M E
P R O F E S S O R
C L A U S L E T H B A K
+ 4 5 9 9 4 0 9 2 8 1
C L B @ E T. A A U . D K
E T. A A U . D K / P H D
2 4
N E W P H D S
2 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 2 0 1 3 2 0 1 4
1 7 1 9 3 5 2 8 3 1
G R A D U A T E D P H D S
2 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 2 0 1 3 2 0 1 4
9 5 2 2 1 5 1 9
2 5
2 6
C O L L A B O R A T I O N
INDUSTRIAL COLLABORATION
In all research programmes, the department engages with industrial
partners in specific projects typically involving PhD training, co-funded
research positions and development of laboratory setups. Often, this type
of collaboration is augmented by third-party funding from Government
research councils (DSF, Innovation Fund, PSO, EUDP) or European
(FP7, Horizon 2020, ERC) or international bodies, in some cases also
from private foundations. This, however, is not a requirement, and
specific projects involving only one or more industrial partners and the
department also exist within the project portfolio. Consultancy work is
also carried out on market terms.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The department strongly values and emphasizes its international
relations, and continuously works to strengthen and expand these.
International relations are very important in order to cross-fertilize
knowledge and share with globally leading institutions, ensuring that
the research and development activities undertaken at the department
are at the forefront. Furthermore, it significantly enhances the learning
environment for energy students as well as their teachers to be able
to be inspired by, and even collaborate with the leading companies and
institutions globally in energy technology and science.
COMPANIES ON CAMPUS
A number of companies are physically represented at the campus of
the department, typically by placing part of an R&D department here.
This provides contact with researchers and students on a daily basis,
giving unique opportunities for collaboration and making the company
very visible for students through student projects,
scholarships and student jobs, as well as for
identifying the strongest candidates for
future jobs. It also provides a platform
for long term co-development of large
experimental facilities, valuable to both
research and industrial development.
COLLABORATION
The department engages in
strategic collaboration within
all its areas of research,
where mutual interests
and individual competences
can be brought together to
create synergetic partnerships
pushing the frontiers of science and
applications. Collaboration partners
comprise private enterprises, research and
higher education institutions as well as public
institutions and authorities from Denmark and abroad.
CONSULTANCY
• Knowledge building and training activities
• Test and laboratory facility rental
• Proof of concept, feasibility studies
• SME consultancy, direct or through “videnskupon”
(knowledge coupon – government funded)
COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS
• Direct research collaboration
• Large research project, consortium or centre with
third-party funding
• Direct co-financing of researcher positions
• Direct co-financing of PhD or postdoc positions
• Industrial PhD projects
• Co-financing of equipment or facilities
SPONSORSHIPS
• Equipment
• Buildings and facilities
• Student related activities through the
Energy Sponsor Programme
• Student trips and excursions
• Prices and scholarships
• Specific course topics
2 7
The overall purpose of the Energy Sponsor Programme is to strengthen
the energy engineering educations at the department in order to enhance
the education of tomorrow’s engineers. By being proactive, the Energy
Sponsor Programmes, i.a. aims to:
• Ensure a sufficient number of energy engineers
• Enhance the academic profile and quality of MSc’s
• Create synergy between students, student projects and the companies
BOARD
The Energy Sponsor Programme is organised by a board in which
the department and six of the member companies are represented.
Furthermore, the programme has a part time secretariat at the
Department of Energy Technology that takes care of the organisation
and administration of the programme. Members of the board naturally
influence the Energy Sponsor Programme both with regards to
management and decisions concerning e.g. activities, budget, and the
annual Energy Seminar etc.
MEMBERSHIP
The Energy Sponsor Programme requires membership. As a member of
the Energy Sponsor Programme, a company supports the overall aim,
and acquires certain benefits in relation to the means of the Programme.
Members must pay a yearly fee, and the size of the latter is determined
according to the type of membership of which there are two: A ”Basic
Membership” and an ”Extended Membership”.
ADVANTAGES
Whichever membership is chosen it will give the company an increased
exposure towards the students through events such as visits to the
company, project proposals, scholarships, student jobs, and the presence
at the yearly award presentation. In this way the students more than
likely remember the company when they start to consider their future
career.
You can read much more about the Energy Sponsor Programme at et.aau.
dk/energy-sponsor-programme. If your company wants to be a member,
please contact information officer Hanne Munk Madsen, [email protected],
9940 3313 or Maria Hald Friis, [email protected], 9940 9238.
T H E E N E R G YS P O N S O RP R O G R A M M E
D E P A R T M E N T O F E N E R G Y T E C H N O L O G Y
AALBORG UNIVERSITY
Pontoppidanstræde 101
9220 Aalborg East
Denmark
Phone +45 9940 9240
Fax +45 9815 1411
et.aau.dk
Head of Department
John K. Pedersen
+45 9940 9264
Department Secretary
Tina L. Larsen
+45 9940 9240
AALBORG UNIVERSITY ESBJERG
Niels Bohrs Vej 8
6700 Esbjerg
Denmark
Section Leader
Jens Bo Holm-Nielsen
+45 9940 3317
A A L B O R G
E S B J E R G