Research

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Research

The department of Engineering Systems and Services contributes to Comprehensive Engineering from a systems integration perspective. In today’s interconnected world, energy, mobility and ICT services continuously converge into complex engineering systems. ESS analyzes, shapes and assesses these systems, using cutting-edge tools such as Agent Based Modelling and Simulation, Choice Behavior Modeling, IT architecting and policy analytics.

Results, impact & quality
Projects
Networks

The systems studied at ESS involve many actors and users, who can each own, regulate or influence a part of the system, and will take decisions based on their own objectives. These decisions are taken in a dynamic, unpredictable environment. Such systems evolve over time and are therefore very difficult or impossible to blueprint. Since complexity science conceptualises systems as evolving, interacting subsystems, that show emergent, often unpredictable behaviour, complexity science is a key underlying paradigm of research at ESS.

Studies carried out by the department show time and again that successful long-term design and management of, and policymaking in, such systems involves taking flexible measures that allow for an uncertain future. 

ESS is historically rooted in the application areas of energy, mobility and information systems. A comprehensive knowledge of ICT architectures is increasingly indispensable: systems for smart mobility and/or smart energy networks depend more and more on the exchange of information between its components. The ESS department also studies the integrated cross-sectoral problems, such as climate effects on water-born logistics, the effects of mobility choices on the smart grid, or the effect of floods on energy production. To this end, ESS combines a deep-seated technological understanding of the infrastructure systems in energy, industry, mobility, and logistics, and its overlaying data and ICT architectures, with insights and theories from social sciences, and increasingly, the humanities.

ESS possess rigorous knowledge of and hands-on experience with key methods and modelling techniques. Important methods, in which ESS has and aims to maintain a leading international profile, include: 

  • Discrete Choice Modelling (DCM); statistically rigorous modelling choice behaviour of users, designers, policy-makers, etc.
  • Agent-based Modelling and Simulation (ABM); to study and explore (emergent) system behaviour of engineering systems and services.
  • Information Architecting (IA); to develop effective, efficient and acceptable designs of information technology and infrastructure.
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis methods (CBA); to quantitatively support the evaluation of interventions in engineering systems and services.

As a matter of course, ESS also uses and contributes to improving other theories, methods and tools, such as institutional economics, multi-objective optimatisation, back-casting, artificial intelligence, algorithmics, co-algebra, and game theory, as well.

Results, impact and quality

The research conducted within the department is successful in journals with high impact factors and publications have been widely cited. Members of the department serve as Editors-in-Chief and on the editorial board of leading journals. 

Stories of Science

Puzzling over behavioural models for sustainable greenhouse horticulture

Researcher Emile Chappin aims to better align policy and practice by modelling human behaviour to accelerate the energy transition.

Hassle as a limiting factor for using energy when the sun shines

Due to changing regulations and the introduction of feed-in tariffs, households with solar panels are increasingly required to use the energy they generate directly.

Examining mental health apps for just healthcare

Through a mental health app, people can seek help for advice for dealing with mental issues or on preventing them. Such an app is convenient, but not for everyone.

Edge AI: The bridge between the cloud and smart devices for sustainable, safe, and user-friendly AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers many possibilities but also comes with drawbacks. For instance, the significant energy consumption associated with data processing in the cloud and the risks related to privacy and the reliability of services. Edge AI, which involves processing data as close as possible to the user, offers a potential solution. TU Delft scientist Aaron Ding is researching how we can shape artificial intelligence using Edge AI in a sustainable, safe, reliable, and inclusive manner.

A safe and just algorithm? Start with a systems perspective

Whereas algorithms are good at keeping planes airborne and forthcoming self-driving cars on the road, algorithmic decision-making by the government puts civilians at ever-increasing risk. Unless we apply lessons from systems and control engineering to the design processes and governance of public algorithmic systems, like Roel Dobbe does.

Hydrogen leads the way to a climate neutral Europe without energy poverty

Energy is a driver of economic activity, personal development, and social participation in civic life. That is why, for professor of Smart Energy Systems Zofia Lukszo, the energy transition is about much more than reducing CO2 emissions. ‘Our future energy system should not only be sustainable, but also inclusive – dependable, available and affordable for everyone.’

Breaking down barriers to open science step by step

The call for transparency is growing both from within and outside the scientific community. Yet public sharing of research data is not yet taken for granted. Open science advocate Anneke Zuiderwijk is researching and developing tools to help improve sharing, availability and use of data and to make it easier. Thereby, she hopes that the social value of open science will grow and be utilised in more ways.
De waterstofauto als cruciale schakel in een duurzaam energiesysteem

The hydrogen car as a crucial link in a sustainable energy system

Conventional cars that run on fossil fuels no longer meet today’s needs, certainly not in view of the Dutch government’s target of being CO₂ neutral by 2050. A combination of hydrogen cars and battery electric vehicles, are the way forward as stated by the TPM researcher Samira Farahani. She and other researchers at TU Delft are working on Professor Ad van Wijk’s concept of the 'Car as a power plant' (CaPP). In this concept, hydrogen cars will act as power sources in a sustainable energy system in which electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power is converted into hydrogen.
Revolutie in modelleren van reisgedrag

A revolution in modelling travel behaviour

How do you get drivers out of their cars? How can you make alternatives, such as public transport and cycling, attractive? ‘People who travel a lot by car develop biased views related to alternatives making them less attractive,’ says Maarten Kroesen, researcher into travel behaviour at TU Delft. His groundbreaking research into attitude and travel behaviour could help to make a difference, but it calls for some serious measures that will make car use unattractive.
More Stories of Science

Projects

CIRPASS project

October 2022 - March 2024

CIRPASS is a collaborative initiative to prepare the ground for the gradual piloting and deployment of a standards-based Digital Product Passport (DPP). The DPP needs to be aligned with the requirements of the EU Proposal for Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulations (ESPR). The focus of the project is on the electronics, batteries, and textile sectors.
Hoe de douane efficiënter inspecteert in de logistieke keten

Improving the efficiency of Customs inspections in the logistics supply chain

In the years ahead, Customs at Schiphol airport and the Port of Rotterdam are set to have a lot of work on their hands. In the next five years, the huge growth in e-commerce and the imminent Brexit will lead to an increase from 160 million to 500 million in the number of Customs declarations passing through these major logistics hubs of Europe. This massive increase calls for smart ways of working in order to guarantee efficient risk analysis and cut costs in processing Customs import declarations. “In light of this, digitisation and collaboration between Customs organisations and the transport supply chain will be of key importance,” says Yao-Hua Tan, Professor of Information and Communication Technology.

PARSEC - Parcel and Letter Security for Postal and Express Courier Flows

October 2022- October 2025

PARSEC develops solutions that use non-intrusive detection technologies to fight the abuse of postal and courier flows for criminal and terrorist purposes.
All ESS projects

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