DEPENDABLE SMART ENERGY SYSTEMS

The development of innovative technologies and solutions, which support the EU, UK and its citizens, industries and
businesses by responding to the unprecedented climatic and environmental-related challenges, is the defining
task of the European and the UK society for the next decades. The Doctoral Network (DN) "Dependable Smart Energy
Systems (DENSE)" aims to contribute delivering the unique commitment of a "fair and prosperous society, with a modern,
resource-efficient and competitive economy" by training and connecting next generation of researchers and creative innovators required to swiftly progress towards realizing the Net-Zero ambitions. DENSE is addressing individual research projects and training of early-stage researchers
(ESR) as Doctoral Candidates (DC) in the innovative dependable engineering of Smart Energy Systems (SESs).
Within this concept, the term "Smart Energy Systems (SESs)" refers to a holistic cross-sectoral approach (e.g.
electricity, heating, cooling, industry, buildings and transportation) aimed at excelling the transformation towards
sustainable and achievable future energy systems. Within the framework of DENSE, we consider the following three
specific aspects of SES: (i) On a system-wide level, we focus on the optimal integrated planning and operation control
of electric, heat and gas (hydrogen) networks; (ii) On a component-level, we address the efficient integration and
reliable operation of heat pumps and electric vehicles into existing distribution grids; (iii) On a methodical level and
to enable items (i) and (ii), we develop novel robust control and estimation techniques by combining physics-based
techniques with emerging data-driven (learning) approaches.
Hence, DENSE both covers but also extends beyond the Smart Grid approach, which is mainly focused on the
electricity sector. Such cross-sector energy infrastructure design and operation is considered indispensable for
decarbonization.
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