R&D Units
Systems Analysis
Modelling, optimisation and energy systems planning to ensure a sustainable energy transition
What we do?
The Systems Analysis Unit focuses on assessing the sustainability of energy systems from environmental, economic and social perspectives. It also designs, simulates and optimises energy processes and innovative solutions at regional, national and international levels.
The Unit applies process modelling, simulation and optimisation methodologies, life-cycle sustainability assessment, and techno-economic optimisation models for energy planning. Its aim is to develop strategies that increase efficiency, reduce impacts and promote a just transition towards a circular economy.
Team members
Research Areas
- Sustainability assessment of energy systems from environmental, economic and social perspectives, through the application and development of life-cycle methodologies.
- Design, simulation, thermodynamic analysis, and techno-economic and environmental optimisation of energy processes.
- Prospective analysis of energy systems and scenarios.
Fields of Study
Hydrogen, bioenergy and renewable electricity, clean fuels, CO₂ capture and utilisation systems, waste valorisation, photocatalytic processes, batteries and other energy technologies.
Capabilities
The Systems Analysis Unit focuses on the design and assessment of energy processes and systems based on research conducted at laboratory and pilot-plant scale. The Unit develops predictive models and uses simulation and optimisation techniques to support their scale-up to industrial applications.
It also develops and applies advanced Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools to compare different technologies and ensure that they are environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially responsible.
The latter is one of the Unit’s distinctive areas of expertise, making it a leading research group in the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) of energy systems.
These capabilities are complemented by the development of energy models for assessing future energy scenarios in which these technologies could be deployed, analysing both how they may be affected by the broader energy system and how they may, in turn, influence it.
The ultimate goal of these capabilities is to support sound decision-making and help ensure that the transition towards a decarbonised society delivers progress and benefits for all.
