I work on the design, simulation, evaluation and optimization of energy conversion systems. My main focus is to evaluate critical environmental issues in the energy sector and propose innovative solutions to address them effectively.

I believe that in order to limit the environmental impacts of increasing global energy use and decrease the stress imposed on the climate, we need drastic changes in our present energy practices. With this in mind, I like working on research projects, the realization of which would demand a radical shift from the established business-as-usual situation.

My research lines are:

A) Simulation and evaluation of advanced energy conversion systems
B) Regional renewable energy autonomy
C) Exergy-based methods for the optimization of energy systems
D) The water-energy-climate nexus
E) Automatization of existing and development of new optimization tools

Projects

06/2018 – 05/2023
Ramón y Cajal
Selected first in the area of mechanical and aerospace engineering
    Principal investigator: Dr. Fontina Petrakopoulou
    Supported by: Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities
    Project duration: 60 months (start June 2018)

09/2017 – 08/2018
Improvement of the air intake system in the nacelle of a wind turbine (Mejora del sistema de admisión de aire en la góndola de un aerogenerador
    Supported by: Foundation IBERDROLA
    Project duration: 12 months (start September 2017)

05/2017 – 04/2018
Exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental analyses of a combined-cycle power plant with a solid oxide fuel cell and CO2 capture
    Principal investigators: Dr. Fontina Petrakopoulou, Dr. Zin Eddine Dadach
    Supported by: HCT (UAE), UC3M
    Project duration: 12 months (start May 2017)  

07/2015 – 09/2018
Hybrid Power Plants for Polygeneration – OPTIHYP
    Principal investigator: Dr. Fontina Petrakopoulou
    Supported by: European Union (MC-COFUND, FP7)
    Project duration: 36 months (start July 2015)

01/2016 - 31/12/2018
Optimization of solar thermal power plants, transient analysis and design of concentric receivers (Optimización de centrales termosolares, análisis transitorio y diseño de receptores bayoneta excéntricos) – EXTRASOL
    Supported by: Spanish ministry of economy and competitiveness
    Project duration: 36 months (start January 2016)

05/2013 – 04/2015
Green Energy for Islands – GENERGIS (332028)
    Principal investigator: Dr. Fontina Petrakopoulou
    Supported by: European Union (MC-IEF, FP7)
    Project duration: 24 months (start May 2013)

09/2012 – 01/2013
Study on the technological perspective of different paths of utilization of lignocellulosic biomass
    Supported by: REPSOL
    Project duration: 26 weeks (start September 2012)

01/2012 – 01/2013
Development of efficient photocatalysts for obtaining products of commercial interest for the valuation of CO2
    Project supported by: REPSOL
    Project duration: 24 months (start January 2012)

03/2011 – 01/2013
Evaluation of Gasification Processes and their Improvement Potential
    Project supported by: European Union (COFUND AMAROUT, FP7) and IMDEA Energy
    Project duration: 25 months (start March 2011)

01/2012 – 01/2013
Sustainable routes for the production of oxygenated high energy density biofuels from lignocelullosic biomass in a sustainable and efficient way (ASBIOPLAT)
    Project supported by: The Madrid Regional Authority (Comunidad de Madrid)
    Project duration: 36 months (start January 2012)

03/2011 – 01/2013
Advanced Electrolyser for Hydrogen Production with Renewable Energy Sources (ADEL)
Project supported by: The European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH-JU)
    Project duration: 36 months (start January 2011)

03/2011 – 01/2013
Use of agro-forest and oily residues to produce clean transportation fuels (RESTOENE)
    Project supported by: The Madrid Regional Authority (Comunidad de Madrid)
    Project duration: 48 months (start January 2010)

09/2006 – 09/2009
Optimization of Systems, Energy Management and Environmental Impact in Process Engineering
    Project supported by: The European Union (MC-RTN, FP6)
    Project duration: 36 months (start January 2006)

06/2005-10/2005
Design Optimization of products and procedures with emphasis on the parametric formation of fluctuations in complex geometry
Programme “Pythagoras II”. Supervisor: John K. Nikolos
    Project supported by: Cofinanced Development Programmes (EU, Greece)
    Project duration: 19 months (start June 2005)