Professor Göran Andersson gave an inspiring talk today at DTU, when he pinpointed some of the research challenges we are facing concerning the future of electric power systems.
This article will present some of his observations and arguments.
For more than 100 years the electric power system has been developed, shaped and adjusted into the system that we recognize today - a system that provides high quality and reliable power at affordable prices. According to Professor Göran Andersson this development is a result from an effective long-term cooperation between universities and industry. A relation that we must not take for granted in the future.
Collaboration
Professor Andersson highlighted the influence that research results has had, and will continue to have, on the electric power system. He also stressed the importance of having a “real” project or case to work on in order to transform theory into an actual change. The collaboration between researchers and industry is therefore a necessity in the future development.
"You have to get lost to find your way"
Professor Göran Andersson, ETH Zürich
His aspiration for the future is that more industry partners will welcome engineers with a research-background, as well as the method of the researcher where failure is a part of the discovery.
Internationalization
Another matter that Professor Andersson is concerned about is the lack of focus on internationalization of the power system. Today, countries depend on each other cross physical and political borders in a web that must benefit all parties. Especially unions like EU must regulate and collaborate in order to stay reliable and cost-competitive.
Social Science
Last but not least Andersson pinpoints the lack of social science when it comes to developing electric power systems as one of the research challenges we are facing.
In any operation it is vital not to disregard the end-user of your product. Off course the same applies to national and international systems. Questions on human behavior and the use of energy should be included in both research and development according to Göran Andersson.
/ Questions about the seminar can be directed to Professor Pierre Pinson, who facilitated the event.