URSES+

Amsterdam Builds Coalition - Towards a Zero-Emission Built Environment (ABC)
Amsterdam Builds Coalition (ABC) will investigate how mental, technological, institutional and organizational barriers impede the realization of a new, sustainable residential area. Various ABC partners developed a technical concept for Centrumeiland in IJburg. For instance, an infrastructure for low temperature heating will be installed and combined with new sanitation facilities. In another example, waste water treatment will contribute to an affordable, sustainable energy supply. The aim of ABC is to establish new forms of cooperation between residents, private parties, institutions and local government to realize this energy concept.

Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Smart Grids+
Aquifer thermal energy systems optimizes the use of underground space in areas with high concentrationof buildings. This URSES project examines how adjacent aquifer thermal energy systems can organize the use of the sub-surface by coordinating with one another to save energy as well. These self-organizing systems will be implemented at a site in Amsterdam by TU Delft and its partners.

Distributed Intelligence for Smart Power Routing & Matching 2
Metropolitan areas with large event spaces like the ArenA play an important role in the application of intelligent energy systems; they can improve the efficiency and integrate renewable energy sources. The “Distributed Intelligence for Smart Power Routing & Matching 2” (DISPATCH 2) project will explore implemented solutions to verify advanced planning and network management mechanisms to tackle energy management. Verifying such solutions in a realistic test environment helps achieve rapid adoption and use of pioneering energy management solutions. By including large, dynamic energy consumers into this research, the project optimizes for better use in the future energy network.

Energy-Based Analysis & Control of the Grid: Dealing with Uncertainty & Markets in an Urban Environment
In this project, new models and pricing mechanisms will be developed to factor in variations in distribution networks in urban areas. New methods need to be developed due to the increased use of electric cars, charging stations, and solar panel electricity generation. The goal is to use urban electricity networks efficiently and prevent capacity problems in the network.

Future-Proof Flexible Charging: Dealing with Uncertain Prices & Network Constraints
Charging electric vehicles spontaneously can support the transition to solar and wind energy in metropolitan areas where electric vehicles improve the quality of life. Ideally, flexible charging needs coincide with periods of abundant sun and wind when electricity prices are lower, yet how to plan this? Batteries also need to be sufficiently charged in a short amount of time. This URSES project explores how much energy is generated using sun and wind depending on the weather and on charging flexibility of drivers. Recently developed planning algorithms can accommodate these uncertainties. The research team will partner up with Jedlix, a Dutch car charging company, to evaluate the benefits of these algorithms.

Modelling and Designing “Car as Power Plant” Systems in a Real-Life Environment at Shell Technology Centre Amsterdam & Amsterdam Arena Stadium
“Car as Power Plant” (CaPP) is a project using parked fuel cell cars as power plants. The Shell Technology Centre Amsterdam in Noord will function as a controlled research location and thereby increase our understanding of how CaPP can be applied beyond the four walls of a university.

Smart Energy Systems in the Amsterdam Area: Electric Vehicles as a Gateway to Smart and Sustainable Energy Use
The increase of electric cars in the Amsterdam area results in capacity problems for the electricity network. Ideally, drivers use their vehicles more sustainably such as through smart charging and by generating sustainable energy. This project will test the pivotal role of pro-environmental self-identity, which goes hand in hand with more environmentally-friendly behavior. The research explores how people can adopt environmentally-friendly behavior by increasing their pro-environmental self-identity. Also, business models will be developed to stimulate the desired behavior.

Storing Renewable Energy in Urban Households
Storing renewable energy in households and neighborhoods contributes to a low-carbon energy system. This URSES project focuses on the social and organizational aspects of successful storage implementation in urban regions. Since such implementation of storage requires rethinking cooperation between existing and new participants in the field of smart energy, the needs of end users need to be considered. The project aims to contribute to the design of socially robust and sustainable storage models and services.

This programme is a collaboration with TU Delft.