The main objective of the Systems Analysis Unit at IMDEA Energy is the evaluation of the sustainability (environmental, economic and social) of energy systems; the design, simulation and optimisation of processes; and the development of models for energy planning.
Research lines
- Sustainability assessment (environmental, economic and social) of energy systems, applying and developing life cycle methodologies.
- Design, simulation, thermodynamic analysis and techno-economic and environmental optimisation of energy processes.
- Prospective analysis of energy systems and scenarios.
All of the above applied, for example, to:
– Bio-energy and renewable electricity
– Bio- and clean fuels
– Hydrogen
– CO2 capture and utilisation systems
– Circular economy
Capabilities
The Systems Analysis Unit focuses on designing and evaluating energy processes and systems from laboratory and pilot plant scale research, developing predictive models, simulating and optimising them for industrial scale-up.
In addition, it develops and applies advanced life cycle analysis tools for the comparison of different technologies to ensure that they will be environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially responsible. The latter is a distinctive feature of the Unit, being one of the benchmarks in the social analysis of the life cycle of energy systems.
All of the above is complemented by the development of energy models that allow for the evaluation of future energy scenarios in which the above technologies would be incorporated, seeing how they would be affected by the environment (and vice versa).
The ultimate goal of all these capabilities is to contribute to good decision-making, so that the transition to a decarbonised society means progress for everyone.
