Ajay K. Verma's Research Visit at TU Dresden: Advancing Low-Carbon Energy Systems

Ajay K. Verma, a visiting researcher at the Chair of Energy Economics at TU Dresden, recently had the opportunity to participate in the Indo-German Project "Low Carbon Pathways for Energy System Planning and Operation under the Aspects of Flexibility from the Transport Sector", which is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of India. The two-year collaborative project between the Technical University of Dresden and the Electrical Engineering Department of Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur has the objective of enhancing bilateral scientific and research efforts.

This visit, initiated by Ajay's supervisor Prof. Rohit Bhakar in 2022, was developed with the dedicated efforts of Prof. Dominik Most, Dr. Hannes Hobbie, Ms. Lorenz, and Mr. Glynos. The project's primary goal is to develop new planning-operation-market methods and tools to create generation expansion planning models and estimate the transport sector's demand, considering local resources and constraints in both India and Germany. The innovative aspect of this research lies in addressing several unexplored technical challenges that both countries face on their path towards low-carbon energy systems. In contrast to existing models, this project incorporates the transport sector's electrification and alternative fuel resources, assessing their interlinking to evaluate their technical and economic effects on power systems while improving transport sector performance. The objective is to estimate future transport sector demand and develop a coordinated planning model that incorporates flexibility throughout the transport sector.

During his visit, Ajay attended the Enerday conference in 2024, which brought together professionals from a range of disciplines. The event featured thematic presentations on energy demand dynamics and provided a forum for researchers to disseminate their insights. Engaging with experts from different fields enabled Ajay to gain a multifaceted perspective and valuable knowledge, thereby fostering meaningful connections and collaborations.

His tenure at the Chair allowed him to engage with research domains that were adjacent to his own. Initially arduous, he acquired knowledge of energy economics subjects pertaining to gas and power sector modelling, thereby enriching his research with new perspectives and generating new ideas. Collaborating with field experts facilitated his advancement, enabling him to integrate these insights into his modelling.

Living in Dresden proved to be an exhilarating experience for Ajay, offering both academic and personal advantages. He found the city, renowned for its research and cultural heritage, particularly appealing as the capital of Saxony and the third-largest city in eastern Germany. This research visit was a valuable experience from both an academic and a personal perspective.

Ajay expressed his gratitude to Prof. Dominik Most, Prof. Rohit Bhakar, Dr. Hannes Hobbie, Dr. Maximilian Happach, and the Energy Economics team for their support and discussions, which were invaluable in making the experience particularly noteworthy.

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About Ajay K. Verma

Ajay is a third-year PhD student in the Electrical Engineering Department at MNIT Jaipur, India. His research is focused on long-term energy planning and its applications to India's energy system. The primary objective is to develop a high-granularity energy system model for demand sectors, which will analyse policy options, technological innovations, and costs in order to identify viable pathways. The objective of this study is to provide policymakers and stakeholders with insights into decision-making processes, taking into account key factors such as energy costs, renewable energy availability, and technological adoption rates, with the aim of achieving a Net Zero Emissions (NZE) system.