Research on new energy technologies atOtaniemi Campus was originally initiated at the Department of EngineeringPhysics (Helsinki University of Technology)in 1979. Early work included solar energy and energy storage.
The current research focus is on solar cells and fuel cells (materials and devices), and complex systemic issues with large-scale renewableenergy schemes (systems). Specific topics include flexible and wearable nano-solar cells, nano-composites for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells, energy-flexibility, energy frugality,.
The group is responsible for advanced and renewable energy teaching both on undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels within the PHYS-Programme in Engineering Physics. Aspecialization package in new energy technologies is provided. The group is also coordinating the Multidisciplinary Energy Sciences M.Sc. minor offered to all Aalto U students.
The group is lead by Professor Peter D. Lund. Keypeople in the group includeUniversity Lecturer (Mr.) Janne Halme (solar cells), Research Fellow (Mrs.) Kati Miettunen (solar cells), Research Coordinator (Mr.) Imran Asghar (fuel cells),Post-Doc (Mrs.) Kerttu Aitola (solar cells). In addition, seven doctoral students (+four at VTT) and several B.Sc. and M.Sc-levelresearch assistants are enrolled in the group ternational visiting researchers are hosted on regular basis. Docents (adjunct) are Dr. Hannele Holttinen (VTT, wind power), Dr. Janne Halme (Aalto U, solar energy), Dr. Kati Miettunen (Aalto U/CHEM, solar cells), Dr. Imran Asghar (Aalto U, nanomaterials for energy).
A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a molecular level electrochemical solar cell, where light absorption and current generation occurs in dye molecules attached to a nanostructured TiO2electrode. Mainadvantages are a rather good efficiency withsimple manufacturing methods, economic and abundant materials,and lending tohigh throughput roll-to-roll production. DSSCresearch requiresmultidisciplinary research e.g. combiningphysics, chemistry, materials, end engineering.
The work on DSSCswas initiated in our groupin 2001. Theresearch focus is on cell materials and preparation methods, impedance spectroscopy of charge transport in the cells, optical characterization of the cells and identification of factors affecting their long-term stability. Special emphasis is laid on flexible DSSCs, e.g., on plastic or metal sheets (collaboration with industries) and new materials,e.g. cobalt-complexes,perovskites.The efficiency obtained with our metal-based DSSCs is among the best in the world.
Key research topics include:
Contact persons: Dr. Janne Halme, Dr. Kati Miettunen, Dr. Ghufran Hashmi, Professor Peter Lund ([email protected])
Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert the chemical energy offuel and oxidant directly into electricity and heat. Fuel cells offer high efficiency, low emissions, modularity and quiet operation. Fuel cells are a promising candidate for powering a wide range of applications, from portable electronics to micro-power plants.
Fuel cells research in our group started in the early 1990s on low-temperature PEM fuel cells and hydrogen storage. Presently, we workon nano-composites for low-temperature SOFC fuel cells operating at400-600°C. The focus is on new nanomaterials to improve performance and lifetime of these cells.Research topics include:
Contact persons: Dr. Imran Asghar, Mr. Sami Jouttijärvi, Professor Peter Lund ([email protected])
New energy technologies and systems link closely to global energy issues and future energy solutions as well as to distributed power generation.
The energy systems related workconcentrates on multidisciplinary issueson large-scale integration of renewables into the energy system, energy system flexibility,market penetration and diffusion of new technologies, and global-scale changes. Energy system modelling on different levels has beenimportant research tools, but also the integration of interdisciplinary aspects.
Two important research problems underway are: 1) How to enable fast and cost-effective penetration of new energy technologies; 2) How can large-scale new energy technology schemes in the energy system be managed effectively?
Contact persons: Mr. Jani Mikkola,Mr. Jyri Salpakari, Professor Peter Lund ([email protected])
Multi-disciplinary research on modern energy policies to face future challenges such as climate change combined with green energy economics opportunities. This is done in collaboration with 10 professors all around Finland. In addition, frugality and reverse innovations in energy are studied, using India as a case.
Contact persons: Dr. Sanna-Liisa Sihto-Nissilä, Ms. Sini Numminen, Ms. Sannamari Pilpola, Ms. Mari Ratinen, Professor Peter Lund ([email protected])
PHYS-C1380 Multi-disciplinary energy perspectives (winter semester)PHYS-C6370 Fundamentals of New Energy Sources (fall semester)PHYS-E0483 Advances in New Energy Technologies (winter semester)PHYS-E6570 Solar Energy Engineering (winter semester, not in 2017)PHYS-E6571 Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Technology (winter semester, 2017)PHYS-E6572 Advanced Wind Power Technology (fall semester, 2016)PHYS-E0581 Individual Assignments (any time)PHYS-E0582 Special Course in Advanced Energy Technologies,winter semester2017:Basics of climate change (MOOC, in cooperation with SITRA and several Finnish universities)
In addition, the group contributes toPHYS-labs works.
Climate.now is a multidisciplinary module on the basics of climate change. It has primarily been created to provide a 5 ECTS course in higher education, or for self-study. Aalto U has partnered other university and SITRA in the development of the course. Coordination by Helsinki University.
The students are involved in practical applications in modern energy. Each hands-on topic is stand-alone and will give 1 point. Each will contain pre-home-work, tutoring session on construction, analysis, reporting and pinching session. Students will combine different skills in small teams, but importantly build and experiment on energy. Schedule is quite flexible.
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The sharp rise in energy prices has made energy-saving measures increasingly important at the University of Helsinki, much like in the rest of society. The rise in prices will be seen in the electricity and district heating bills paid by the University, in addition to which concerns have been raised about the sufficiency of energy in society as a whole.
According to Vice-Rector Tom Böhling, it is clear that the University of Helsinki wishes to share the burden in the energy crisis and contribute to national energy-saving efforts.
"As a community of more than 40,000 people and as the owner of dozens of properties our role is significant," he muses.
According to Böhling, the University has launched its own energy-saving efforts, which also highlight the power of the community. Students and staff have been instructed in energy conservation, as well as encouraged to take concrete actions and share energy-saving tips with each other.
"Our message is that even small everyday actions have a significant impact if thousands of members of the University community take them, both at home and on the University premises," Böhling emphasises.
Conserving energy is not a new phenomenon at the University, but the energy crisis has made it necessary to consider what more could still be done to conserve energy – as quickly as possible.
"We are now advancing on three fronts: increasing everyday savings, preparing for potential power outages and investing in solutions that support the green transition. In the case of certain previously agreed measures, we are speeding up the implementation. For instance, indoor temperatures will be reduced already this autumn, and preparations are underway for blackout tests," says Director of Properties and Facilities Teppo Salmikivi.
In the case of some energy-saving measures, a balance must be found between the temperature of facilities and energy conservation. The University has joined the national Astetta alemmas (''Down by a Degree'') campaign, due to which University premises will be cooler than in previous years.
"In the upcoming heating period, the target temperature in University facilities will be +20 degrees Celsius, compared to the previous +21 degrees," Salmikivi notes.
In addition to the reduction in temperature, the period during which lighting is automatically on will be shortened, and the operating times of ventilation will be adjusted without endangering indoor air quality. Thermal imaging cameras will be used to locate thermal leaks, which will be fixed. LED lighting will be further increased and additional instructions drawn up for the energy-efficient use of AV equipment.
Energy-saving measures will be highlighted on the campuses, for example, through guidelines for energy conservation and campaign efforts.
For years, measures to reduce energy consumption have been taken in the University''s properties. The measures have been guided by the climate crisis and the University''s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, through which the University is committed to utilising low-energy practices. At the moment, a roadmap for a carbon-neutral University by 2030 is being drawn up.
The goal is to improve the energy efficiency of University properties by 10% by 2025, with at least 5% of the energy consumed produced with renewable means on location, such as solar panels and geothermal heating. Energy efficiency is a key goal in all renovation projects and throughout the remodelling of building systems at the University.
The University has increased the production of renewable energy, for example, by installing solar panels on the roofs of 16 University buildings. Viikki Campus has a solar power plant that is significant in size on the scale of Finland.
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