Applied research on district energy systems

Decentralizing the Swiss energy system and electrifying the mobility sector gives rise to completely new issues in a district energy system. Emphasis is laid on the integrative aspects of multi energy systems, during the design stage and the operational stage. A multi objective view not only regarding the energy efficiency of a technology, but also lifecycle aspects, maintenance, and overall system performance are investigated.

such as:

  • How do decentralized energy systems affect upper layer grids?

  • What is the importance of new technologies in the local energy system – such as fuel cells, combined heat and power units, new kinds of heat pumps and heat and electricity storage or hydrogen technologies?

  • What level of energy autonomy is possible, and which one is useful?

  • How can buildings – as energy consumers as well as generators with their various forms of energy (heat, electricity and gas) – be coupled usefully with the energy demand in mobility?

  • Which factors affect the balance between central and decentral storage systems and demand site management?

  • Where are efficient and fair economic and ecological solutions for all stakeholders?

These research questions are tackled at Empas ehub group together with industry and academic partners.

 

 

Philipp Heer

Philipp Heer
Deputy Head of Lab

Group Leader ehub

Phone: +41 58 765 4990