Tech for Net Zero’s Post

I am Happy to share that our latest research paper, “Assessment of Demand-Side Management Strategies in PV-Integrated Residential Systems”, has just been published. In this research, we explored and compared Peak Shaving, Load Shifting, and Valley Filling strategies in residential PV-battery systems, showing how each impacts costs, self-consumption, and grid stability ⚡🏡☀️. 🔗Read more: https://lnkd.in/dRUU-UBr. DOI: 10.1109/EEEIC/ICPSEurope64998.2025.11169033. 🙏Huge thanks to my PhD supervisor, Prof. Maria Carmen Falvo, and other brilliant co-authors. Additionally Thanks to NEST - Network 4 Energy Sustainable Transition #SPOKE8 and Sapienza Università di Roma. 🎥 I’ve also created a short video overview of our research, which I’m attaching to this post for those interested in a quick summary. #RenewableEnergy #SmartGrids #DemandSideManagement #PVSystems #EnergyCommunities #IEEE #NEST #SPOKE8 #PHD_STUDENT

🌡️ 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗦 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗨𝗦 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 On 8 October, ahead of Nationaal Warmtecongres 2025, participants visited EIRES at the TU/e Campus to explore the role of innovation in the heat transition. TU/e Energy Coordinator Thijs Meulen presented the GENIUS project, highlighting the innovative thermal battery and heat-cold network of the campus energy infrastructure. This system enables sustainable, collective heating and cooling, a strong example of applied large scale system innovation in the built environment. Thanks to this system, we can continue to grow in the coming years. Nationaal Warmtecongres 2025 is the Netherlands' leading annual event on the heat transition, where policymakers, companies, researchers, and public organizations come together to share knowledge and solutions for a sustainable heating future, from large-scale district heating to individual systems. #EIRES #GeniusProject #ThermalBattery #HeatColdNetwork #SystemInnovation #HeatTransition #NationalHeatCongress #TUe #EnergyInfrastructure

A new study reveals that the primary challenges facing space-based solar power systems lie not in space, but on Earth. The research indicates that terrestrial factors such as ground station construction, power transmission, and storage infrastructure are the main barriers to widespread adoption of the technology. Experts emphasize the need for increased international cooperation and infrastructure investment to overcome these challenges. Source: https://lnkd.in/dxXjKmvx

I’m thrilled to share that our latest research paper — “Infrastructure-Integrated Photovoltaic-Thermal (IIPV/T) Systems for Anti-Icing Applications in Highway Bridges: A Sustainable Approach” has just been published in the Standards-related Regional Innovation and International Cooperation journal. In this study, we explored the potential of an infrastructure-integrated PVT system for sustainable bridge anti-icing, using the Samuel De Champlain Bridge in Montreal as a case study. The results highlight a promising path toward cleaner, safer, and more energy-efficient transportation infrastructure. A big thank-you to Concordia University and my supervisors Prof. Andreas K. Athienitis and Prof. Ashutosh Bagchi for their guidance and support throughout this work. I’ll be sharing more about the research methods, findings, and future implications in my upcoming newsletter — stay tuned! 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gP7pdq_X #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #Infrastructure #Research #ConcordiaUniversity #BuildingEngineering #SolarEnergy #Innovation

A WAKE-UP CALL FOR ANYONE WHO STILL TAKES ENERGY SECURITY FOR GRANTED Municipal utilities/Stadtwerke are facing massive investment needs – but traditional funding models are no longer fit for purpose. ❌ Public subsidies fall short. ❌ Bank loans hit balance sheet limits. ❌ The equity gap is real. Private capital is essential – but it needs the right structures. Our latest piece outlines how scalable, politically viable investment models are emerging across heat, grid, and storage infrastructure – link in the comments below. VKU - German Association of Local Public Utilities, BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft e.V., Zeitung für kommunale Wirtschaft (ZfK), Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport (BMKOES), Katharina Thomas, Peter Brodehser, #StadtwerkeTransformation

Last week, I was delighted to engage constructively with local authorities during the European Week of Regions and Cities lunch session: 👉 "Europe’s energy future is electric - but is our grid ready?" organised by Sharon Dijksma, Mayor of Utrecht. A big thank you to the other distinguished speakers Finn van Leeuwen; Nazim Khiari; Laia Guitart; Claire Roumet; and Erlijn Mulder for such insightful contributions. It was a pleasure to exchange views on grid congestion, particularly in relation to housing and sustainability, and to explore practical, scalable local solutions that can address these challenges at EU level in the context of increased electrification.   1. Improving the energy performance of buildings remains one of the most effective ways to save energy, lower bills, and reduce grid investment needs. 2. Integrating solar energy and EV infrastructure enables self-consumption, flexibility, and energy sharing, helping us make smarter use of our electricity grids. 3. We need more success stories like Merwede, an innovative EUI project tackling grid congestion in a new neighbourhood, and more best practices emerging from cities such as Utrecht and Antwerp. https://merwede.nl/   Looking ahead, several upcoming EU initiatives will help drive this transition: ⚙️ European Grid Package (Q4 2025) - accelerating and simplifying permitting for grids, storage, and charging points. 🏠 Citizens’ Energy Package (Q1 2026) - empowering citizens to actively participate in the energy market and improve energy literacy. 🔥 Electrification Action Plan & Heating & Cooling Strategy (Q1 2026) - supporting local authorities in developing Local Heating and Cooling Plans. 💡 Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in Energy (2026) - advancing AI solutions for grid optimisation and demand-side flexibility.   The public consultation on the Electrification Action Plan and Heating & Cooling Strategy is open until 20 November. Your input is invaluable! https://lnkd.in/eWTYgwNZ   #EURegionsWeek #EnergyTransition #Electrification #Sustainability #LocalAuthorities #SmartGrids #EnergyEfficiency #AIinEnergy #GreenTransition #EUenergy

Exactly one year after attending our first International Smart Energy Systems Conference (SESAAU 2024), we're proud to announce that our research has been officially published in the journal Energy. 📘 Title: Economic and ecological investigation of heat grid scenarios in a German suburban area 🔗 Read it here: https://lnkd.in/ePbm_4wM Our study explores various district heating scenarios, focusing on both their economic viability and ecological impact within a suburban context in Germany. A big thank you to everyone who was engaged - your feedback and questions helped shape the final version of this paper. #sesaau2024 #districtheating #energysystems #decarbonization #heattransition

🔋 Europe in 2050: Are We Ready for the Material Demands of Photovoltaics? At this year’s EU PVSEC in Bilbao, our colleague Dr. Olga Kanz from our Sustainable Life Cycles team presented new insights into the material challenges of scaling up photovoltaics across Europe. Her poster, “Europe in 2050 – Material Challenges of Scaling up Photovoltaics”, highlights critical findings from our research at ICE-2 at Forschungszentrum Jülich: Using life cycle assessment (LCA) and the abiotic resource depletion potential methodology, we identified tellurium and silver as key bottlenecks – with EU demand projected to outstrip domestic production by 2050. 🌍 These insights are crucial for aligning future PV expansion with sustainable resource use and for shaping strategic decisions today. Thanks to the EU PVSEC organisers for an excellent conference platform, bringing together science and industry for real impact. #EU_PVSEC #Photovoltaics #SustainableMaterials #LCA #EnergyTransition #JülichSystemsAnalysis #ResearchForPolicy #FZJ #SustainableFuture #LifeCycleThinking #ScienceToPolicy

📍 Today in #Brussels we are taking part in the Technical Assistance Contractors’ Meeting, jointly organised by CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency and the EIB. 💡 The meeting brings together projects under PDA & ELENA to exchange experiences on how technical assistance can accelerate Europe’s sustainable energy investments from innovative financing solutions to long-term project impact. Later today, we’ll also share insights from our #3Diverse project, more updates to follow. #EUProjects #EnergyEfficiency #SustainableInvestment #CINEA #EIB Laboratory of Energy Policy (UL), University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering

🔌 The Iberian Blackout: A European Lesson in Grid Resilience The April 2025 blackout left millions in Spain and Portugal without power for nearly 16 hours. Beyond the immediate disruption, it raised deeper questions about the resilience, interconnection, and governance of Europe’s electricity system. In our new position paper 'Keeping the Lights On: Why the Iberian Blackout Demands Urgent Grid Modernisation', released ahead of tomorrow’s ENTSO-E report, we highlight three critical gaps: 1️⃣ Insufficient resilience in grid planning and operation 2️⃣ Limited interconnections, leaving the Iberian Peninsula isolated 3️⃣ Weak consumer protection, with citizens bearing the costs of opacity and delay Europe already has frameworks like TEN-E, the Action Plan for Grids, and the upcoming European Grids Package. The real challenge is execution: delivering smart, interconnected, consumer-focused grids that drive electrification, decarbonisation, and competitiveness. ⚡ What needs to happen next? 🌐 Accelerate cross-border interconnectors ⚙️ Invest in smart, flexible grids 🛡️ Protect consumers with clear rights in times of crisis 📑 Read our position paper here: https://lnkd.in/dP53xewp Testachats / Testaankoop Altroconsumo OCU Deco Proteste