The Carnot 2024: Belgian Symposium of Thermodynamics marked a special occasion, celebrating 200 years since Sadi Carnot’s groundbreaking work on thermodynamics. This year’s event brought together researchers and industry professionals to explore the evolving role of thermodynamics in energy systems, climate science, and industrial applications.
Decarbonization of Heating and Cooling – A System of Systems Approach
On December 17, 2024, during the second day of the symposium, which focused on Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC-R), Lieve Helsen and Jelger Jansen (KU Leuven) delivered an insightful presentation on the Decarbonization of Heating and Cooling – A System of Systems Approach.
Their talk introduced key findings from the SEEDS project, highlighting innovative solutions for sustainable heating and cooling. Specifically, they presented:
- Simulation results from the De Schipjes pilot case, demonstrating how Model Predictive Control (MPC) outperforms conventional rule-based controllers in optimizing energy performance.
- A hybrid, renewables-based heat supply solution, enhancing system flexibility and paving the way for more efficient, low-carbon energy management.
Looking Ahead
As the world accelerates toward sustainable energy solutions, events like Carnot 2024 emphasize the necessity of cross-disciplinary collaboration. By leveraging thermodynamics, innovative control methods, and renewable energy sources, researchers and engineers continue to shape the future of energy efficiency and system optimization.
Stay tuned for more updates on groundbreaking developments from the SEEDS project and beyond!
