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Geert Deconinck is a full professor at KU Leuven , leading the Electrical Energy Systems and Applications (ELECTA) research group within the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT). He also serves as scientific leader of the EnergyVille research center's algorithms domain, focusing on smart electrical networks and thermal systems. M.Sc. and Ph.D. from KU Leuven Head of ELECTA since 2012 (10 professors, 8 postdocs, 70+ PhDs) Over 8 million EUR research budget in last 5 years 44 completed PhDs and 10 current advisees IEEE Transactions editorial board member His research spans smart grid architectures , distributed control , and cyber-physical security , with recent focus on EV-grid integration , renewable energy democratization , and multi-carrier energy systems . Current projects include: Smart Charging - E-Mobility meets Renewable Energy Early Detection and Defense Systems for Smart Grids Open-source P2P energy sharing platforms Microgrid control strategies for PV-battery systems Awarded IET Fellow and IEEE Senior Member status, his work combines machine learning with power systems engineering through both theoretical modeling and experimental validation . He has contributed over 575 publications with 9800+ Google Scholar citations.

• Smart Grids
• Distributed Control Systems
• Renewable Energy Integration
• +6 more

Professor Dirk Van Hertem is a faculty member at KU Leuven, Belgium, where he leads the Energy Transmission Competence Hub (ETCH) within the ELECTA division. He earned his M.Eng. (2001) from KHK Geel, M.Sc. (2003) and PhD (2009) from KU Leuven, and held a postdoctoral position at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (2010). His research focuses on power system planning, operation, and control, particularly for future transmission systems involving HVDC grids, offshore energy infrastructure, and supergrid concepts. Key research areas include: HVDC grid protection Underground power systems Cost-effective resilient energy supply Renewable energy integration Hybrid AC/DC system optimization He co-edited the seminal book HVDC GRIDS: For Offshore and Supergrid of the Future with researchers from UPC Barcelona and Cardiff University. His team includes 12 postdoctoral researchers and 24 PhD students working on topics ranging from grid restoration algorithms to cable fault localization and digital twin applications. Scientific distinctions: Fellow of the IEEE (PES, IAS) Active member of Cigré Principal investigator in multiple EU-funded projects Teaching responsibilities include advanced power system courses co-taught with senior professors. Regular PhD and postdoc vacancies are available through KU Leuven's job portal and the ETCH website.

• Decision Support for Grid Operators
• Power System Operation and Control
• HVDC Grids
• +4 more

Joris Morbée is a Lecturer at KU Leuven , with a focus on energy economics and infrastructure policy. His research centers on electricity market dynamics, carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure, and risk management frameworks. Core Research Areas: Energy taxation policies, CO2 transport networks, wind power integration, and strategic gas import reliability. His publications analyze the economic implications of nuclear taxation, the viability of EU-wide CCS pipelines, and the role of market completeness in electricity sector investments. Morbée's work highlights the trade-offs between short-term revenue and long-term investment incentives, as well as the strategic importance of EU energy diversification. Key methodologies include stylized electricity sector modeling, Shapley value-based cost allocation, and equilibrium analysis of risk-averse firms. His findings emphasize the need for cross-border coordination in energy infrastructure development.

• Energy Economics
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
• Electricity Market Risk Management
• +3 more

Dirk Saelens is a full professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Engineering Sciences, where he serves as department head of Building Physics and Sustainable Building. He also leads the Building Physics Subdivision and EnergyVille Building Physics Subdivision, while holding membership in the Civil Engineering Division, EnergyVille Division, and KIEM – KU Leuven Institute for Energy and Society. His organizational roles extend to the Faculty Council of Engineering Sciences, POC Construction, POC Energy, and Department Council of Civil Engineering. Professor Saelens' research spans building physics, sustainable construction, and energy systems with particular expertise in energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and building simulation. His work addresses critical challenges in urban energy systems, circular economy applications in construction, and energy flexibility, with growing focus on inclusive design aspects such as neurodiverse workplace environments and the impact of indoor greenery on employee well-being. His recent projects investigate autism-friendly workspaces, circular material flows in neighborhood renovations, and data-driven control of positive energy districts. His extensive publication record demonstrates leadership in district energy modeling, solar gain quantification, HVAC fault detection, and energy flexibility research. The 15 most recent publications reveal strong emphasis on uncertainty quantification in urban energy planning, circularity assessment frameworks, and the intersection of building physics with human factors like thermal comfort and neurodiversity. His work consistently bridges theoretical modeling with practical applications through numerous funded research projects extending through 2028. As an educator, Professor Saelens teaches multiple courses including Building Simulations (Parts 1 and 2), Building Installations (focusing on cooling, air handling, electricity, sanitation, and heating systems), and architectural design courses related to building equipment. His teaching directly supports his research mission of training future engineers in sustainable building practices and advanced building physics principles.

• Building Physics
• Sustainable Construction
• Energy Efficiency
• +7 more

Bert Willems is an Associate Professor at the Department of Economics, Tilburg University. His research focuses on Industrial Organization, Contract Theory, Law and Economics, Energy Economics, and Network Industries. He holds several professional affiliations including Research Fellow at CERRE (2018-present), Research Associate at Toulouse School of Economics (2016-present), and Vice-President of the Benelux Association for Energy Economics (2012-present). He is also a Senior Member of Tilburg Law and Economics Center (TILEC) since 2006 and served on the University Council's Daily Board (2016-). His work addresses critical issues in energy markets, including electricity market design, renewable integration, and regulatory frameworks. Notable contributions include analysis of offshore wind energy scaling, auction mechanisms for renewables, and the impact of price caps on generation investments. His research bridges economic theory with practical policy applications, particularly in European energy markets. Key publications span topics such as forward markets, transmission rights, and demand response systems, reflecting his expertise in balancing market efficiency with regulatory needs. While no specific awards are listed, his extensive affiliations and publication record highlight his influential role in energy economics. He has advised on energy policy matters, including opinions on congestion management and market coupling. His research emphasizes strategic interactions among market actors, policy design, and long-term energy transition challenges.

• Industrial Organization
• Contract Theory
• Law and Economics
• +2 more

Thomas Brihaye is a Professor in the Mathematics Department at the University of Mons (UMONS) in Belgium and is affiliated with the Complexys Institute, a research center focused on complex systems. His academic position involves both teaching responsibilities and advanced research in theoretical computer science and applied mathematics. His primary research explores game theory and its applications across multiple domains including formal methods , controller synthesis , and urban planning . He investigates mathematical frameworks for decision-making in complex systems, with recent emphasis on renewable energy optimization, cybersecurity protocols, and stochastic process modeling. Key methodological approaches include Markov decision processes, timed automata, and equilibrium analysis in adversarial environments. Analysis of Brihaye's publications reveals consistent focus on: Theoretical foundations of game theory and computational complexity Applications in energy systems (renewable communities, grid management) Formal verification methods for security and system reliability Stochastic modeling and probabilistic systems His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical challenges in sustainability and infrastructure. Brihaye actively contributes to academic dissemination through: Regular presentations at international conferences (LATIN, RP, CONCUR, FORMATS) Educational outreach programs ('Mathipulations' workshops and public lectures) Interdisciplinary collaborations on urban systems and cognitive psychology projects

• Game Theory
• Formal Methods
• Controller Synthesis
• +3 more

Erik Delarue holds the following positions at KU Leuven: Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Sciences Subdivision head, EnergyVille TME - Delarue Member, EnergyVille Division Member, KU Leuven Institute for Energy and Society (KIEM) Member, Faculty Council of Engineering Sciences Member, Departmental Council of Mechanical Engineering Member, POC Energy His research interests span energy system modeling, electricity and gas markets, renewable energy integration, green hydrogen, carbon pricing, and power system planning. Key focus areas include: Market design for high renewable penetration Policy instruments for decarbonization Integration of distributed energy resources Energy system optimization under uncertainty European electricity market design Analysis of his recent publications (2024-2025) shows a concentration on carbon pricing mechanisms, green hydrogen support schemes, and electricity storage optimization. His work frequently combines economic modeling with power system engineering to address energy transition challenges, particularly in European contexts with emphasis on market dynamics and policy interactions. Scientific awards: No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. Advising and grants: Professor Delarue supervises the following PhD students: Meus, J. Phillips, K. Smets, R. He is promoter or co-promoter for multiple research projects including: Energy System Modeling (2025-2029) Co-design of offshore wind parks under climate and market uncertainty (2024-2028) Future-proof electricity market design (2024-2028) Regulation of offshore networks (2024-2028) Labs and teams: He leads the EnergyVille TME - Delarue subdivision within the EnergyVille research consortium, focusing on energy system modeling and market analysis with strong industry and policy stakeholder collaboration.

• Energy System Modeling
• Electricity Markets
• Renewable Energy Integration
• +6 more