Speaker: Dr. Bismark Singh (The University of Texas at Austin University, USA)

When: December, 20 at 11 a.m. – 12.30 p.m

 Where: MR-402 (TPOC-3)

Abstract. We will discuss a special class of stochastic optimization models called chance-constrained programs. We will study what makes chance-constrained programs hard, and an algorithm we developed in my dissertation. We will conclude with some practical applications.

Bio. Bismark Singh is a PhD graduate in operations research from The University of Texas at Austin. His dissertation focuses on deterministic and stochastic optimization methodologies applied towards public health and renewable energy.

Speaker: Dr. Tomaž Šuklje (University of Ljubljana, Slovenia)

When: November, 30 at 3.30-5.00 p.m.

 Where: MR-402 (TPOC-3)

Abstract. In order to ensure sustainable environment for the future generations of human kind and ecosystems, world leaders committed countries to enforce measures which will pursue them towards carbon neutral society. One of the measures that are applied worldwide, are increased utilization of renewable energy sources and reduction of energy use in buildings, as they represent the largest share in total energy use. Utilizing wind and solar energy are recognized as the most feasible energy sources for electricity production. Wind power plants are most commonly directly connected to the grid; meanwhile photovoltaic systems are either connected directly or used in buildings. Even though, the renewable energy systems are a step in the right direction there are several challenges. Electricity production from the renewables fluctuates and is difficult to predict, consequently it represents burden for the grid, causing higher operation costs and black-outs. In addition, it is expected that in future, the energy exchange between buildings and infrastructure systems (grids, district heating etc.) will be even more dynamic.

The necessary flexibility can be provided to the grid by utilizing demand response (DR). In turn to the conventional approach where supply meets demand, DR manages demand to meet available energy. Focusing on the thermal comfort in office buildings, as one of the most potential DR resources; the contradictory relation between increased thermal comfort and reduction of energy use for the operation of buildings is getting even more complex with additional objective (peak load reduction). To achieve the objective, the thermal energy storage (TES) in the form of thermal mass of the building or an additional TES system can be utilized. This measures are expected to shift thermal loads, thus reduce operational cost of the grid and ensure better stability of the grid, as well as higher integration renewable energy sources.

Bio. Tomaž Šuklje is a researcher and teaching assistant at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. His PhD study entitled Thermal response of adaptive building envelopes has been carried out at home institution and at Eindhoven University of Technology, Nederland. As a teaching assistant he holds lectures in Renewable energy sources at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering as well as Building physics and Building services at Faculty of Architecture both at University of Ljubljana. As an active member of Laboratory for Sustainable Technologies in Buildings he has been involved in numerous projects related to the utilization of renewable energy sources in buildings, building physics, building performance, urban physics and smart cities. He is also a consultant for the national building performance policy makers, a project manager of open data innovation in Ljubljana and an active member of the COST Action 1403 Adaptive façade network. In addition to the research work, he works as a HVAC designer in a consulting company, consultant for the company KnaufInsulation and developer of smart home solutions for the company EntiaLiving.

Speaker: Dr. Vasily Artemov (Prokhorov General Physics Institute, Moscow, Russia)

When: November, 20 at 4-5.30 p.m.

Where: MR-303 (multifunctional zone, TPOC-3)

Abstract. Water serves as an electrolyte and medium for proton transport in alternative energy devices, however its properties are not fully understood. We discuss practically important electrical properties of water (dc-conductivity, dielectric permittivity and microwave absorption) simultaneously in relation to the broadband dielectric spectrum. We present a radically new understanding of the atomic-molecular dynamics in water and show that the most suitable mechanism of the water dielectric response below 1 THz is intermolecular migration of excess protons/proton holes. The ambipolar diffusion of the H3O+ and OH- ions in high concentration appears to be responsible for both the dielectric constant and the dc-conductivity. The talk is based on the joint work with A. Volkov.

Bio. Dr Vasily Artemov is head of the Laboratory of intermolecular interactions spectroscopy of the Prokhorov Institute of General Physics in Moscow. As an expert in the field of physical chemistry of water, his main research interests include ionic transport, broadband dielectric spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, water and ice dielectric properties, transport phenomena in porous media, and fuel cells.

Speaker: Oleg Khamisov (PhD student, Skoltech)

When: October, 25 at 4-5.30 p.m.

Where: MR-403 (TPOC-3)

Abstract. Due to introduction of renewable energy and demand response, currently used scheme of frequency control in power networks becomes less efficient. Additionally, in large scale networks centralized communication requirement is difficult to fulfill. In such network information exchange might not be available even between some neighbors. The control presented in this paper is aimed to work in distributed fashion, under the condition of limited information exchange. After disturbance appearance it allows to stabilize and restore frequency to its nominal value, so the power network would return into the state close to economically optimal one. Thus it can provide primary and secondary frequency regulation and partially replace tertiary frequency regulation. The control is developed so that it works only with an estimate of power imbalance, ignoring instantaneous value of frequency. Finite-dimensional convex optimization problem of control effort minimization is considered. The control is designed so it converges with an exponential rate and without oscillations to the solution of optimization problem. Asymptotic stability of control and frequency is proved. Numerical simulations include efficiency comparison with the traditional control.

Bio. Oleg graduated from specialist course of Irkutsk State University, mathematical faculty with applied mathematics and informatics specialization in June 2015 and entered PhD program in September 2015.

Speaker: Timur Sayfutdinov (PhD student, Skoltech)

When: September, 25 at 2-3.30 p.m.

Where: MR-403 (TPOC-3)

Abstract. Please find attached.

Bio. Timur received his Bachelor’s degree in the field of Automation and Control from Tomsk Polytechnic University, Institute of Cybernetics in 2011. During the undergraduate education, he spent 1 term studying in Czech Technical University in Prague, department of Cybernetics as a part of international exchange program. Timur did his BSc internship in Robotics laboratory in Technical University of Munich. He received Master’s degree in the field of Control in Technical Systems from Saint-Petersburg State Technical University, department of Automatic Control Systems in 2013. Did his MSc internship in Nissan manufacturing plant in UK. Timur has 3 years of working experience in the field of automation, telecommunication and SCADA-systems development for distribution network purposes. Currently, Timur is a 3rd year PhD student of Skolkovo Institute. His research interest is smart and resilient grids.