Speakers: Ahmed Abdulla and Kristen Schell
Date: October 14, 2021
Renewable resources like wind, solar, and run-of-river hydropower are difficult to fully integrate into the power grid because of their stochastic, intermittent nature. In practice, grid scale renewable generators are frequently curtailed because the power system cannot accept the available power,
so this power is “spilled”, or not used. This seminar will discuss recent progress in wind power modeling and how better forecasting and system integration would enhance resource utilization, increase investor revenues, and amplify climate benefits. This seminar will also introduce the new APEX lab at Carleton University, which conducts interdisciplinary research that is grounded in process, mechanical, and systems engineering. The speakers will present several projects that the lab is currently engaged in, ranging from the production of green hydrogen to the optimization of low-carbon microgrids in off-grid settings.
Professor Kristen Schell’s research develops applied mathematical models to aid the renewable energy transition. Research areas include: renewa
ble energy resource assessment and forecasting, power systems planning for negative emissions, strategic behaviour in electricity markets, renewable energy policy design, and design of adaptable, modular microgrids.. She holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, an MS in Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and dual Engineering PhDs from Carnegie Mellon University and the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Porto, Portugal.
Ahmed Abdulla is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Carleton University. Abdulla investigates energy system design for deep decarbonization—focusing on the role of disruptive energy technologies that sit at a low level of technical readiness, including electro-fuel production, advanced nuclear power, and negative
emissions technologies. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Abdulla and Dr. Schell are co-leads of the APEX research lab at Carleton