In this STAR interview, we speak to Elham (Eli) Shirazi of the Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET). STAR is an acronym for (S)ituation, (T)asks, (A)ctions, (R)esults. We also have many “star” colleagues at UT with an interesting story to tell. Elham (Eli) Shirazi is an assistant professor in the sustainable products and energy systems group, she is working on making the energy systems smart and sustainable.
Situation
What is/was the situation (S) of your research/initiative?
The energy transition is one of the most critical challenges facing our global society today. As we confront the realities of climate change and environmental degradation, transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is imperative. The energy sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing these emissions is essential to mitigate the impacts of global warming. By shifting to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and promote a cleaner, and more sustainable environment. Research in energy system control is fundamental to making this transition feasible and efficient, as the current grid infrastructure was not designed to handle such high variability and penetration of renewable energy sources. The "duck curve" effect exemplifies this challenge, where solar energy production peaks during the day while demand peaks in the evening, leading to periods of overgeneration followed by steep ramps in demand.
This situation necessitates the development of forecasting algorithms and control strategies to ensure stability and efficiency of the energy systems. My research focuses on addressing the growing complexity and challenges associated with the energy system control. The main idea behind my research is to create smart energy systems that can autonomously adjust to changing conditions, such as fluctuations in energy demand or variations in renewable energy supply. The aim is to enhance the resilience and efficiency of the current and future energy systems.
Tasks
What tasks (T) were or are you currently working on?
As I mentioned earlier, the complexity and uncertainties of energy systems are major challenges which should be addressed in energy system control. Currently in my research, I am working on two main topics/tasks to address uncertainties and complexities of the energy systems:
First, I employ forecasting algorithms that predict energy demand and supply variations, in which machine learning algorithms play a key role. Traditional forecasting methods often struggle to account for the complex, non-linear relationships between various influencing factors. On the other hand, machine learning algorithms either linear or deep learning models, can analyse vast amounts of historical and real-time data to identify patterns and make precise predictions.
Second, for handling complexities, I design control frameworks that controls energy flows within the system. For example, deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithms can be employed to develop adaptive control systems that manage energy flows dynamically. By continuously learning from the environment and adjusting strategies accordingly, DRL-based control systems can handle the complexities in dynamic environments where traditional algorithms struggle. It makes DRL highly suitable for applications like energy system controls, which results in a more resilient and flexible energy grid, capable of integrating high levels of renewable energy while maintaining reliability and efficiency.
Besides research related tasks, it is important to pay attention to educational initiatives to train the next generation of engineers, researchers, scientists, and policymakers who will lead the energy transition. Designing and teaching the “Energy System Integration” and “Building Integrated Photovoltaics” course at University of Twente are examples of educational initiatives which I am currently working on.
Next to training new engineers, it is also important to support and educate existing work force, for which I am supporting my colleagues to develop a life-long learning program in the energy transition field for companies, organizations, and institutes.
Actions
What actions (A) are you working on and who are involved?
One of the key initiatives I am involved in is the Sector Plan Technik II, which is a strategic framework designed to enhance technological education and research in the Netherlands. Within this plan, my focus is on the energy transition, particularly how we can use control strategies to create a more sustainable and resilient energy system. By integrating various energy assets, such as solar panels, battery storage, and EVs, into a cohesive control system, we can optimize their operation in a way that minimizes grid congestion and enhances overall system efficiency. This requires complex models and algorithms that can make real-time decisions, accounting for the complexities and interdependencies of the energy system. Current approaches in the scientific community often treat these elements in isolation, leading to suboptimal outcomes. My research aims to bridge this gap by developing integrated solutions that consider the interdependencies and synergies between various energy sources and loads. This involves interdisciplinary collaboration with experts from various fields, therefore in this project I am working with groups from both EEMCS and ET faculties.
Regarding the educational activities, I coordinate and teach three courses, namely “Energy System Integration”, “Building Integrated Photovoltaics” and “Sources of Innovation” at University of Twente. I collaborate with colleagues from ET, EEMCS, TNW and BMS in these courses. Through my teaching activities, I aim to integrate the latest research findings into the curriculum, helping students gain an understanding of sustainability and energy systems and apply their knowledge in designing a sustainable energy system or a product.
Besides research and educational activities, I am involved in several organizational activities within the Solar Centre and 4TU.Energy. The Solar Centre is a Centre of Expertise aimed to bring together researchers to better connect interdisciplinary research between faculties and (inter)national collaboration on the topic of solar energy. As a member of the steering group of the Solar Centre at University of Twente I am directing initiatives to solar energy forecasting and solar photovoltaic (PV) integration into energy systems. 4TU Centre for Energy (4TU.Energy) is the knowledge centre on the topic of Energy of the four universities of technology in the Netherlands. 4TU.Energy connects and builds upon the individual strengths of the researchers of 4TUs and facilitates coordination and collaboration among researchers in the field of energy to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral future. As a member of advisory board of 4TU.Energy, I try to contribute to these goals.
Results
What results (R) do you hope to achieve and how will society (or UT organization) perceive them?
I hope to achieve a more flexible and sustainable energy system capable of adapting to changes in supply and demand, improving its efficiency and resilience.
A common misconception in the society is that more PV installations are always better for the energy system. While increasing the share of solar energy is crucial for reducing our carbon footprint and promoting sustainability, uncontrolled injection of all generated PV power into the grid can actually create significant challenges. This uncontrolled influx of solar energy, especially during peak production times when the sun is most intense, can lead to grid congestion and stability issues which is reflected in negative electricity prices as we experienced last summer. A similar challenge arises with the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Many end users assume that widespread EV adoption is inherently beneficial for the energy system. While transitioning to electric mobility is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, uncontrolled EV charging can create significant problems for the electrical grid. With the results of my research, I hope to address these issues and increase the efficiency and reliability of the energy systems which will be appreciated by consumers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers. I think society and the UT perceive these results positively, recognizing them as critical steps towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN and the European Green Deal goals.
Lastly, I believe we can build a sustainable energy future that meets the needs of society and the environment through education, collaborative research, and policy advocacy.
