Department of Mechanical Engineering

Energy Efficiency and Systems

Energy efficiency plays a key role in solving challenges related to developing a sustainable future for human societies, highlighting the need to optimise energy systems of all sizes.
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In the Energy Efficiency and Systems research group, research is focused on energy generation and energy consumption systems. The scale of these systems ranges from single buildings to industrial energy systems and continental energy networks.

Despite the variety of application areas, common research methods provide opportunities for close cooperation between the group's researchers, thus providing the base of knowledge needed for top-level research. This knowledge base also provides possibilities for international research cooperation.

Efficient energy use and indoor climate in buildings, energy- and material-efficient technologies, process concepts and process integration in industry, and optimal energy systems of communities are the key research knowledge in the group. The basis of the research is in the increasing complexity of energy systems and the need to reduce their environmental impact.

The main research tools are different types of analysis, simulation and optimisation methods used in computer software and programs. These computer programs include both leading commercial software and programs created by the group. Experimental methods are also used, focusing on efficient integration of renewable energy in buildings, on drying technology and on measuring the indoor-air quality and performance of energy systems in buildings.

The societal and economic impact of energy technologies is studied by applying system analysis tools to search for ways to integrate renewable energy and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in energy systems of both industrialised countries like Finland and developing countries. The tools that are utilised include life-cycle approaches, carbon footprint calculation, (primary) energy efficiency analysis, exergy analysis, production simulation and multi-objective optimisation, GIS analysis, investment analysis as well tools for multicriteria decision making. Research is done within national Finnish research programs, the EU’s Horizon programme and in other international research programmes.

The group also studies large transformations of energy systems to reach carbon-neutrality. Medium- and long-term energy system transformations are studied with energy system models, such as EnergyPLAN and EnergyPRO as well as in-house models of electricity markets and demand-side management. The focus of research is on modelling and exploring future developments of national energy systems, city-level heating systems and international electricity markets.

Latest publications

Indoor environmental quality improvement of student dormitories in Tehran, Iran

Nastaran Abdollahzadeh, Azin Velashjerdi Farahani, Kamyar Soleimani, Zahra Sadat Zomorodian 2023 International journal of building pathology and adaptation

Effect of biomass-based carbon capture on the sustainability and economics of pulp and paper production in the Nordic mills

Katja Kuparinen, Satu Lipiäinen, Esa Vakkilainen, Timo Laukkanen 2023 Environment, Development and Sustainability

Modelling method for air-conditioning usage behavior in multi-occupant office space based on group decision-making strategy

Xiaolei Yuan, Yiqun Pan, Zhao She, Yuan Pan, Zhizhong Huang, Risto Kosonen 2023 Energy and Built Environment

Modelling method of inter-building movement for campus-scale occupancy simulation : A case study

Mingya Zhu, Yiqun Pan, Zejun Wu, Zhizhong Huang, Risto Kosonen 2023 Building Simulation

An overview of machine learning applications for smart buildings

Kari Alanne, Seppo Sierla 2022 Sustainable Cities and Society

Individually controlled localized chilled beam with background radiant cooling system : Human subject testing

Taha Arghand, Arsen Melikov, Zhecho Bolashikov, Panu Mustakallio, Risto Kosonen 2022 Building and Environment

Energy, exergy and economic analysis of combined solar ORC-VCC power plant

Yashar Aryanfar, Mamdouh El Haj Assad, Ali Khosravi, Rahman S.M. Atiqure, Shubham Sharma, Jorge Luis García Alcaraz, Reza Alayi 2022 International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies

The paradox of mini-grid business models: A conflict between business viability and customer affordability in rural India

Venkata Bandi, Tiia Sahrakorpi, Jukka V. Paatero, Risto Lahdelma 2022 Energy Research and Social Science

Investigation on spray cooling heat transfer performance with different nanoparticles and surfactants

Jun Bao, Yu Wang, Risto Kosonen, Xinjie Xu, Jinxiang Liu 2022 Heat and Mass Transfer/Waerme- und Stoffuebertragung
More information on our research in the Aalto research portal.
Research portal

Research group members

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