Modesto, a tool for optimal control of district heating systems.

HOW TO OPTIMALLY EXPLOIT THE ENERGY FLEXIBILITY CREATED BY HARNESSING THE DISTRICT HEATING NETWORK ITSELF

District heating systems are a promising technology in the evolution toward an efficient and sustainable energy system. The thermal capacity of district heating network pipes particularly presents an opportunity to create energy flexibility. This energy flexibility can be applied to obtain peak shaving and valley filling, to optimise CHP and heat pump operation, to integrate renewable energy sources and to provide ancillary services to the electricity system. To accomplish this, a technology that determines the available fl exibility and applies it in an optimal way, while taking into account uncertainties, is the end goal of this research project. The main outcome of this project is modesto, a toolbox for optimal control of district heating systems, which is continuously improved throughout the course of this and other PhDs.

Competences gained at VITO

SOFT SKILLS:

  • Teamwork 
  • Planning 
  • Assertiveness
  • Organising and leading meetings 
  • Communicating with team members and superiors
  • Writing, presenting, documenting
  • Networking

WORK-RELATED SKILLS:

  • Setting up research questions and methodologies
  • Optimisation
  • Modelling
  • Programming
  • Working with missing data/information
  • Analysing and postprocessing results
  • Reflection on the ‘value’ of tools for industry and policy makers
My added value

I am a focused and determined woman who wants to develop sustainable technologies. I am experienced in basic and applied research, I have a problem-solving mindset, and I am quick to adapt and learn new things. I am eager to learn and I use new insights to solve societally relevant problems. I love working in teams and will always be a team player, lifting results to a higher level by exploiting synergy.

I would like to develop technologies and solutions that lead to a more sustainable (energy) system in a nice work environment.

Annelies Vandermeulen