Research Lines
Line 1: Energy Storage and Conversion Devices
This line explores the integration of storage technology in the Chilean market, principally focusing lithium-ion- and hydrogen-based technologies. In this sense, it looks at defining models and methods that can help in determining the state of charge and the state of health of different storage technologies by looking at their physical characteristics together with an analysis of the evolution of the Chilean market on adopting this technology. The goal is to explore from the microscopic level of storage technologies (cathodes and anodes) to their main applications (e.g., electromobility) and their market integration (e.g., isolated systems, microgrids), in order to make these models and methods usable for decision makers at the planning and operation stages.
Line 2: Energy Efficiency and Clean Heating Systems
This line focuses on the research and development of clean and renewable energy systems, such as geothermal or solar, in order to replace traditional building and heating systems conventionally used along Chile, with special emphasis on technologies that can be applied in the south of Chile. Additionally, this line will also focus on research and innovation topics related to energy-efficiency technologies that can be applied at various scales in urban areas, including housing, district, and city levels, in order to reduce energy consumption in the commercial, residential, public, and industrial sectors. The goal of this line is to evaluate the socio-techno-economic challenges to help to replace traditional and commonly polluted energy and heating systems with cleaner and more efficient technology considering a deep analysis of the incentives that a new technological market actor might need to offer cleaner technology.
Line 3: Smart Farming and Sensor Technology
This line focuses on the control and monitoring of crops in both greenhouses and outdoors. The main objective is to develop sensor networks that acquire real-time data such as temperature, humidity, solar irradiance, artificial light, and irrigation along with general variables of the crops’ evolution such as hydration and state of the fruits (size and sugar content). Since these processes are usually high-energy demanding, considering the soil conditioning (water consumption), the air conditioning (temperature, humidity, CO2 content, among others), and the harvesting, the efficient use of primary resources is fundamental. In that respect, we investigate the use of alternative energy sources, such as geothermal energy, for the air conditioning of greenhouses and photovoltaic panels or wind energy for the optimal management of resources.
