Systems engineering of flexible demand technologies powered by renewable energy

The availability of cheap renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind) is dramatically changing the energy sector and the landscape of power plants. However, the day-to-night and seasonal variability of renewable energy sources creates tremendous challenges for power plants and chemical processes alike. These can be turned into opportunities by matching the dynamics of the power plants with flexible demand technology in the chemical process industry – that is to use the excess of electricity when available instead of storing it in a rather expensive way. This project will include the development and application of process systems engineering (PSE) approaches for process integration including steady-state and dynamic process simulations, model-based analysis and control, as well as optimization of complex chemical systems and energy conversion systems with large structural diversity and a high number of elements. Process simulation skills are required.