KKS research profile Future Energy

Mälardalen University's (MDH) KKS research profile in energy engineering, called Future Energy, is to develop renewable energy systems in cooperation with five companies. Altogether the Knowledge Foundation, MDH and the companies are investing 83 million SEK in this research environment that includes over 50 researchers.

Description of the project

The research profile will focus on meeting future changes in energy systems by increasing and streamlining the share of renewable energy in the form of biogas, solar energy and biowaste. The goal is to create an internationally competitive research environment with a focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency and minimisation of emissions. The participating companies are ABB, VAFAB Miljö, Eskilstuna Energi och Miljö, Mälarenergi and Aspholmen. This research environment includes over 50 researchers and PhD students.

Targets of the research profile

The following specific targets to be developed in the Future Energy profile are:

• To pursue fundamental new understanding of materials and processes in energy, chemistry and biology that may revolutionize or transform future energy technologies, usually focused on scientific showstoppers;
• To develop theoretical tools for guiding pre-experiment discovery and modelling by converting and turning complex models, e.g. computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or statistical models, into robust and simplified ones for simulation, optimisation and control purposes;
• To create benchmark component combinations for enabling technologies, optimise prototype performance and to explore the feasibility of scaling up into industrial applications for solar PV systems, waste and water treatment, biogas production, high temperature gasification, and combined heat and power production and other industrial processes.

Three tracks

Three key tracks in the Future Energy are:

Track 1: Renewable energyTrack 2: Energy efficiency and emissions mitigationTrack 3: Simulation and Optimization for Future Industrial Applications