Speakers

Speech Title: Unleashing Green Hydrogen: Autonomous Control in Isolated DC Microgrids for a Sustainable Future

Abstract: This keynote speech will explore the exciting potential of green hydrogen production integrated with renewable energy systems, focusing on the technical challenges and control strategies for autonomous operation within an isolated DC microgrid architecture. We will begin by highlighting the growing demand for clean energy solutions and how green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis powered by renewable sources like solar and wind, offers a promising alternative to fossil fuels. We'll discuss its advantages in terms of energy storage, long-distance transportation, and versatility in various applications, paving the way for a decarbonized future. The presentation will delve into the key technical challenges of integrating green hydrogen production within renewable-powered microgrids. Besides, the speech will focus on the Power of DC Microgrids. We'll explain how this architecture simplifies power conversion, reduces losses, and facilitates seamless integration of various distributed energy resources. The presentation will illustrate how the inherent flexibility of DC microgrids enables real-time optimization of energy production, storage, and utilization within the system. In addition, Control Strategies for Autonomous Operation will be shown, delving into the critical role of advanced control strategies for ensuring the autonomous operation of the microgrid. The keynote will conclude by presenting a compelling vision for the future of green hydrogen production using integrated renewable energy systems and microgrids.

Assoc. Prof. Riyang Shu

Experience: 

Riyang Shu received his BSc degree from the Dalian University of Technology (2012) and his PhD degree from the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, under the supervision of Prof. Longlong Ma (2017). Afterwards, he joined the Guangdong University of Technology as a lecturer and was appointed as an Associate Professor in 2018. He was a visiting scholar in Prof. Ning Yan’s Group at the National University of Singapore from June to December 2018. His research focuses on the catalytic conversion of renewable biomasses into fuels and chemicals.

Speech Title: Biomass catalytic conversion for the production of liquid bio-fuels

Abstract:Fossil fuel is still the main source for liquid fuel production. Lignin derived from renewable biomass has the potential to replace fossil fuel. The abundance of aromatic units in lignin makes it potential to produce high-value liquid fuel. Our groups have carried out an extensive study that has been devoted to the catalytic depolymerisation and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of lignin for the production of hydrocarbon liquid fuels. Compared to fossil fuel components, the native molecular structure of lignin is approximate C800-900, which is far higher than the carbon chain lengths required for fuel applications (~C6-20). In this regard, lignin must be depolymerized into small molecule fragments firstly. Generally, lignin contains a high amount of ether linkages, including β-O-4, α-O-4, 4-O-5 and others. The interruption of these ether linkages is the key to decrease the molecular weight. A series of methods have been proposed to achieve this goal, such as hydrolysis, solvolysis, pyrolysis, oxidative depolymerization, reductive depolymerization and so on. Reductive depolymerization approaches are preferred to use for the production of hydrocarbon fuel precursors, for their goodness at stabilizing the intermediate products and cutting down the ratio of O/C. Wherein, selective hydrogenolysis of lignin can increase the hydrogen content and decrease the oxygen content, meanwhile lowering molecular weight by reductive cleavage of C-O-C bonds and producing a high amount of phenolic compounds. We have carried out a series of woks on hydrogenolysis of different lignin species by using Pd/C coupled with CrCl3 catalyst and acid modified Ru/C catalysts, in which the yield of phenolic monomers can be 30-42 wt%. Lignin depolymerisation products formed by reductive depolymerization still have a substantially higher oxygen content than petroleum and refinery streams, so that extensive deoxygenation and hydroprocessing are required to yield hydrocarbon fuels. Catalytic HDO is a promising approach to upgrade the lignin-derived phenolic compounds performing in a heterogeneous system. After treatment, the upgraded products achieve more hydrogen and less oxygen, rendering them with a higher heating value and better chemical stability to become hydrocarbon liquid fuels. In this field, we have proposed a series of efficient HDO catalysts, including high dispersed Ru/TiO2, Ru/SiO2-ZrO2, bimetallic catalysts and Ru/C coupled with H3BO4 catalysts etc. A high yield of hydrocarbon products from the HDO of lignin depolymerisation products enables to obtain at the temperature below 260 oC.

Associate Professor Taimoor Asim

Robert Gordon University, UK

Experience: 

He has years of research experience in analysing complex flow handling systems and how different manufacturing methods and design parameters affect the performance of these systems. He has published more than 50 research articles in international journals, covering research themes such as pipeline flows, turbo machines and renewable energy systems. He has worked with a number of industrial partners to solve challenging real-world engineering problems and his research has received funding from different funding bodies like Innovate UK, Scottish Funding Council, Energy Technology Partnership etc. He is currently working in the School fo Engineering of Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen, UK) as an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, teaching modules like Renewable Energy Systems, Thermofluids and Industrial Plants. He has supervised more than 10 research degree students to successful completions and have mentored a number of ECRs in their academic career.