Energy Transition

The Energy Transition aims to transform the present energy system that is based on fossil fuels into one based on renewable energy sources. As such, it is one of the driving forces of the TU Delft DRI “Delft Energy Initiative”. In addition to the usual power electronics and electrical engineering challenges, information and communication technology challenges and solutions are increasingly entering the domain of the energy transition. The main challenge is to realize this transition at the lowest possible cost without compromising the system’s reliability. Since the most important renewable energy sources (solar and wind energy) deliver electricity, the primary challenge is to accommodate energy transition in the existing electrical power system. Consumers are increasingly becoming electricity producers by installing their own photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy systems. In this way, power micro-grids are formed where power management and market mechanisms can be controlled locally. By interconnecting the micro-grids, the stability and resilience of the entire electrical power system can be increased, and conversion and transport losses can be minimized. When consumers mutually exchange electricity or deliver electricity to the distribution network, new market design and regulations have to be developed and put into place.