Cenaero

General expertise of the research group

In terms of cutting-edge skills, Cenaero develops cutting-edge R&D expertise in: 1. Multi-physics simulation (fluid, thermal, mechanics, etc.) 2. Expert systems (optimization) and machine learning 3. Numerical methods and software engineering 4 High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure operation. Cenaero is active in applied research and development in digital simulation, optimization, data exploitation.

Specific hydrogen- related expertise & research topics

• The development of digital twins, based on physical models and the use of AI, is part of the center’s strategy to improve the design and/or operations of manufacturing systems and processes. Cenaero is historically anchored in the transport sector and has also diversified into sectors such as energy, particularly around the development of the energies of the future. In the field of hydrogen, Cenaero will position itself on:
  • optimization of hydrogen production processes (electrolysis, etc.) or use (fuel cell, gas turbine)
  • virtual design as well as lifespan prediction of critical components linked to storage and transport (composite tanks, valves, functionalized electrodes, heat exchangers)
  • optimization of energy conversion systems and planification including the hydrogen vector in either energy community (stationary) or mobile applications

Available equipment/tools:

• Key Enabling Technology : High Performance Computer LUCIA (www.tier1.cenaero.be)

Participating in FL/B/EU funded projects with H2 related research:

• H2COOPSTORAGE (Eranet funding; ending in 2023): H2 Coopstorage aims to develop methodological and software tools enabling the deployment and management of a multi-energy EC integrating a hybrid solution of electric and hydrogen storage, in a collective self-consumption context. https://h2coopstorage.eu/