The Energy Group at Halmstad University
The Energy group at Halmstad University is an informal part of the Department of Construction and Energy Engineering, which in turn is based at the School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability. The group is involved in both research and education.
Education
Bachelor in Sustainable Energy (Engineering)
A three year bachelor conducted in Swedish but with the spring semester of the second year in English which we are happy to offer to students from our partner universities. This semester consists of the following four courses: Electrical Distribution Systems for Renewable Energy, Bio energy, Wind power technology and District Heating.
Bachelor in Sustainable Energy (Engineering) (in Swedish)
Master in Energy Smart Innovation in the Built Environment
A two year master held together with the Construction group of the same department. Includes several advanced level energy courses that we can offer to exchange students or in other cooperation. For courses and other information about the program, please see the link in the title.
Research
The research of the energy group takes part within the research environment the Rydberg Laboratory for Applied Sciences (RLAS) and can ran be divided into two sub-groups: district heating and wind energy (although there is ongoing energy research in-between and outside these subjects):
Rydberg Laboratory for Applied Sciences (RLAS)
Wind energy
The wind power research within the energy group has recently been focused on the concept of vertical axis wind turbines. This research has been funded by the strategic research initiative StandUp for Energy in cooperation with Uppsala University. The experimental base has been a local 200-kW vertical axis wind turbine, and studied aspects include influence of atmospheric turbulence and generation of noise. Recently the research has switched focus toward conventional wind power and system aspects, with one project funded by the Swedish Energy Agency.
District heating
The district heating research within the Energy group has for many years been led by Professor Emeritus Dr. Sven Werner, an internationally renowned and recognized expert in the field of district heating and cooling. The research staff consists today of seven researchers dedicated to different areas within the field of fourth generation of district heating, such as low-temperature heat distribution technologies, geographical information system analyses of assets and demands, business models and economy of heat distribution, exergy and energy systems analyses, as well as the general study of district heating and cooling deployment in Europe and the rest of the World. Staff members are actively participating in national and international (European) research projects, where projects such as Stratego, Heat Roadmap Europe, Tempo, and ReUseHeat all are related to systemic, techno-economic, and geographical analyses of EU, national, and local heat and cold markets, as well as the integration of more renewable and excess heat resources in future EU heat and cold supplies. The district heating research staff represents in-depth expertise in the study of district heating and cooling systems and their role in contributing to increased energy system efficiency for future smart energy systems. Members of the staff have also built and manages a European district heating and cooling database since 2010.
Group members
Urban Persson, Professor in Renewable Energy Systems
Main area of research is district heating and cooling systems in a European perspective, focusing on spatial mapping of demands and assets, investment cost modelling, excess heat utilization, and integration of renewable heat resources. Teaches in courses on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and energy distribution in the built environment. Member of the ETN Academy Council and the RLAS Steering Committee.
Sven Werner, Professor emeritus in Energy Technology
He is no longer active in education, but is still curious on further development of district heating. Sven participate in some research projects concerning various aspects of fourth generation of district heating.
Fredric Ottermo, Associate professor in Energy Engineering
Teaches courses in applied physics, renewable energy systems and wind power. Research on wind power, for example integration issues, but also physical aspects of specific applications such as vertical axis wind turbines. Member of the RLAS Steering Committee.
Mei Gong, Associate professor in Energy Engineering
Teaches in various energy related courses. Main area of research is district heating, integrated energy systems, and exergy analysis. Member of the ETN Academy Council.
Kristina Lygnerud, Senior lecturer in Energy Engineering
Research focus on business models for district heating. Also affiliated with the Swedish Environmental Research Institute IVL.
Swedish Environmental Research Institute IVL
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Heidi Norrström, Arcitect SAR/MSA and Senior lecturer in Energy Engineering
Present research is a transdisciplinary project in cooperation with Halmstad Energi & Miljö and Malmö University concerning the implementation of 4GDH, fourth generation of district heating. The aim is to survey acceptance, for identifying any hindrance occurring when this new technology is introduced. My focus within the field of architecture is energy efficiency and preservation in the existing built environment. Educational responsibility is scientific method on Bachelor and Master levels; sustainable building and planning, energy in buildings and more.
Erik Möllerström, Senior lecturer in Energy Engineering
Teaches mainly in wind engineering but also responsible for the solar energy courses which are held in collaboration with Dalarna University. Research in wind energy which includes vertical axis wind turbines as well as system related research on conventional wind power. Also Head of the Department of Construction and Energy Engineering and International academic coordinator at the School of Business, Engineering and Science.
Helge Averfalk, Senior lecturer in Energy Engineering
Programme director for the Bachelor program in Sustainable Energy. Main area of research is district heating and cooling systems, with a specific interest in low-temperature aspects. Teaches in courses on energy supply, district heating technology, and energy policy tools.
Petter Eklund, Senior lecturer in Energy Engineering
Mainly teaches electrical power engineering and renewable power generation. Research mainly concerns design of permanent magnet electrical machines with focus on generators for renewable power generation and alternatives to rare-earth permanent magnets.
Luis Sánchez García, PhD student in district heating
Starts on October 1.
