- Analysis of the design and off-design behavior of individual energy conversion systems of various types and complexity powered by fossil and renewable sources. These include: gas turbine plants, steam plants, ORC (Organic Rankine Cycles) plants, internal combustion engines, and concentrating solar power plants.

- Combined and cogeneration systems: these may include plants for the combined production of electricity, heat and cooling (gas-steam plants with natural gas or gasifier integrated or not with concentrating solar power plants), cogeneration plants based on microturbine internal combustion engines, power plants integrating internal combustion engines with ORC or absorption systems, biomass plants for the production of electricity, heat and other fuels (e.g., ethanol or high hydrogen fuels).

- Systems that integrate one or more of the units mentioned in the points above, whether powered by renewable or fossil sources. These systems are usually referred to as "multi-energy systems" or "smart energy systems." The goal is to study larger or smaller portions of geographic areas where a variety of these conversion systems can be had, the design and operation of which must be optimized along with that of the networks that transport the different types of energy produced.

- Thermal, potential, mechanical energy storage: techniques and models for optimizing integration between energy conversion systems and utilities in the presence of storage.

- Energy system analysis and optimization methods: exergoeconomic methods, emergetic methods, life cycle analysis methods, thermodynamic, economic and environmental optimization methods that consider one or more objectives at a time.

Energy communities and optimal coupling between energy generation and consumption:
- Development of criteria for energy-economic-environmental optimization of aggregations of users in energy communities.
- Techniques for equitable distribution of community revenues among its various members;
- optimization of demand response programs and for better integration of energy generation and consumption.

Performance analysis and design methods of turbomachinery using fluid dynamic simulations and laboratory experimental tests: radial, axial and cross-flow fans, radial and axial expanders.

Fluid dynamic analysis and experimentation of gas turbine combustors with emphasis on flame pulsation phenomena and emissions.

Proposals for master's theses in the subject area of ENERGY SYSTEMS.

THESIS ON ANALYSIS AND OPTIMIZATION OF SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS

Integrated multi-objective (energetic, environmental, economic) optimization of complex energy system configurations and energy distribution networks (elecricity, heat, cooling, fuel..).

Search for innovative configurations, of storage systems of different forms of energy (thermal, potential, electrochemical, with liquid air, compressed air, etc.) and integration in complex energy systems

Stochastic optimization of energy systems powered by renewable and traditional sources and techniques for forecasting scenarios of uncertain variables.

Defition of innovative systems configurations using a combinatorial approach of single elementary thermodynamic cycles or part of them (HEATSEP and SYNTHSEP methods).

Optimization of the design and operation of "Smart Multi-Energy Systems" for finding the best coupling between renewable and fossil energy conversion/storage plants with energy demands of the users (electric, thermal, fuel,..)

Multi-objective techniques to optimize the design and operation of the society's energy system in the transition to a 100% renewable system considering techno-economic, environmental, social, legislative, regulatory,... constraints.

Optimization of the design and operation of Energy Communities (aggregations of users-producers) for better energy demand management (demand-response) and integration with energy conversion systems (also in collaboration with a company)

Optimization of systems for generation, storage, and use of "green" hydrogen produced from renewable energy, including integrated into larger energy conversion systems.

Development of plants based on supercritical CO2 cycles for the recovery of medium- to low-temperature heat flows (in collaboration with company).

Development of artificial intelligence techniques for operation diagnostics and predictive maintenance of cogenerative internal combustion engines powered by renewable sources (vegetable oil, biogas, etc.) for stationary applications with IoT approach (with company)

Comparison of different methods for resource allocation in energy systems: "extended exergy analysis," Exergoeconomic/environmental analysis, "Life Cycle Analysis".

EXPERIMENTAL THESIS (laboratory of Thermal and Aeraulic Machines)

Experimental tests of a real plant with biomass boiler and recovery cogeneration system based on ORC cycle. The work aims to characterize the performance also in the presence of a control system

Optimized design of axial or cross-flow fans with laboratory experimentation

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THREE-YEAR DEGREE THESIS IN THE THEMATIC AREA OF ENERGY SYSTEMS

Thesis on the various types of power, heat or fuel generation plants that use fossil or renewable sources (biomass, sun, wind).


Concrete actions and scenarios for the fight against climate change in agreement with the 17 UN goals

"Smart multi energy systems" for the improvement of our society (smart cities, smart districts,...)