Energy systems

Future energy systems will vary much more than at present. New types of local energy sources will be integrated with the traditional systems that are based on large centralized plants for power production and transport systems for electricity, gas or remote heating. These new local energy systems will include heat-pumps, and units to produce solar energy, power from waste and natural gas. The day when hydrogen will be widely used as an energy carrier is not too far away.

For over 50 years SINTEF Energy Research has been engaged in power supply R&D. Various models and software for use in the planning and operation of power systems have been developed such as tools for calculations of energy conversion, storage, transport and use of energy. Two specific examples are calculations of the overvoltages in a power network and finding the optimal means of operating a power system that also minimizes any bottlenecks in the transmission system.

Our expertise also covers software and analytic tools and methods for other energy carriers than electricity. Some of our analytic tools can be used at any level: from the power supply in large parts of Europe, to detailed analysis at one specific power utility. Many of our products have been commercialized and sold internationally.