Sector coupling with artificial intelligence

06.05.2025

Source: E & M powernews

MAN Energy Solutions and ETH Zurich want to jointly develop AI-supported solutions for the integration of electricity, heating and cooling networks.

The Swiss subsidiary of MAN Energy Solutions and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich are cooperating in the field of energy research. On the basis of a "strategic partnership", the aim is to develop AI-supported energy system models "that allow an in-depth technical and economic analysis of European energy supply markets and grids", according to a press release from MAN. The ETH Foundation will receive a grant that will enable the employment of half a dozen postdoctoral researchers.

Over the coming years, the scientists will develop new solutions for the integration of electricity, heating and cooling networks. They will expand existing models and reduce their computational effort. The aim is to combine hardware and software technologies. MAN hopes that the partnership will result in AI-based energy management solutions for industrial infrastructures.

Heat pumps and electrothermal storage systems

One focus will be on digital services that can be used to exploit the potential of sector coupling, according to the statement. MAN is contributing its expertise in the field of large industrial heat pumps and electrothermal energy storage systems.

"Such partnerships are essential to pave the way for technological innovations. It is crucial to overcome silo thinking and view forms of energy such as electricity, heating and cooling as a networked overall system," explains Patrik Meli, Managing Director of the company in Switzerland. "Artificial intelligence offers us valuable tools to better understand these relationships and use them more efficiently."

The research activities are coordinated by the ETH AI Center and the Energy Science Center.

Author: Manfred Fischer