Gotlands hållbara energiomställning: resurser, behov och planering

About the project

The project focuses on three aspects (Resources, Demand and Planning) of the energy transition towards a 100% renewable energy system on Gotland.

One of Gotland’s largest resources of renewable energy is the wind. How to best use it requires complex and time consuming simulations. With the help of a new method, this project seeks to reduce the time for simulations and enable a better understanding and more efficient use of Gotland’s wind.

The demand part of the project focuses on Gotland’s energy demand; how to accurately quantify it in the present and to predict it for the future. Using large-scale energy modeling, the aim is to create a reliable model of the island, to be able to visualise and simulate future scenarios - regarding for example climate change - and how they may affect Gotland.

The planning project focuses on how people on Gotland perceive and are affected by the ongoing energy transition. Particular interest lies in understanding how national and international visions of sustainable energy transition are scaled-down to a local context in terms of for example acceptance, resistance, and feasibility. Using interviews and observations, the aim is to explore strengths and challenges with the ongoing work, focusing on factors such as inclusion, equality and engagement.

Henry Korb

I am part of the research project Gotland’s Sustainable Energy System Transition, where I will conduct the research in the area of resources. In this project I will examine the available resources for renewable energy on and around Gotland, mainly focussing on wind power. To do so I will develop and apply high-fidelity simulations of possible wind farms and use these simulations to develop effective control strategies, which become increasingly important with a grid heavily relying on wind energy as its main power source.

About me

I come from a background of mechanical engineering and specifically fluid dynamics. My research has been focussed on fast high-fidelity simulations of aerodynamics via the lattice-Boltzmann method, both of bluff bodies and wind farms. On top of that I have examined the application of Reinforcement Learning for active flow control in the context of wind farm control.

Supervisors

• Stefan Ivanell, Department of Earth Sciences
• Joakim Widén, Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering
• Hugo Olivares, Department of Earth Sciences
• Karl Nilsson, Department of Earth Sciences

Lukas Dahlström

I am part of the project in Gotland’s sustainable energy system transition where my PhD studies will focus on the topic of the energy demand. Apart from studying the current energy demand and how it has changed throughout history this project will develop scenarios for the development of Gotland’s future energy demand and suggest sustainable options for reducing it. This will be done by quantifying and predicting the transport and building energy demand and further developing a spatio-temporal urban-scale simulation model of Gotland, using several different state-of-the-art engineering techniques. The fact that a major part of the building stock of the island is made up of historic buildings with major heritage values will also be taken into account.

About me

I come from a background in Energy Systems engineering with my main field in renewable energy sources, after a year of studying environmental science and chemistry. My greatest over-arching academic interest has always been sustainable development and the science behind developing new technologies for a better future. I am interested in whole system perspectives and especially in smart systems and cities, simulations and the relations between engineering sciences and our society.

Supervisors

• Joakim Widén, Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering
• Tor Broström, Department of Art History

Gubb Marit Stigson

I am part of the research project Gotland’s sustainable energy system transition where my PhD studies will focus on the topic of planning. The project will investigate how people perceive, understand and relate to the energy system and the energy transition project on Gotland. The aim is to further increase knowledge in planning practices and policy making in favor of sustainable development on Gotland towards a 100% renewable energy system.

About me

My academic background consists of a Bachelor’s degree in urban planning - urban and regional development, a Master’s degree in human geography, as well as gender studies and studies of political science. In my former research I have focused primarily on gender equality from a planning perspective, looking at methods to increase gender equality in usage of public places for spontaneous physical activities, and vulnerability in resistance as a means to mobilize against dismantling of maternal healthcare in rural regions in Sweden.

Beside my studies I have spent many years working as a part time politician on municipal, regional and national level, last at Region Gotland. My political engagements have regarded housing, transportation, physical planning, climate and environmental issues and animal rights.

Supervisors

• Stefan Ivanell, Department of Earth Sciences
• Johanna Liljenfeldt, Department of Earth Sciences
• Gustaf Leijonhufvud, Department of Art History