Portuguese mathematician contributes to increase renewable energy share through data sharing announced as a finalist in the European Sustainable Energy Awards
Carla Silva Gonçalves, 30 years old from Porto, is pioneering technology to better predict renewable energy generation and maximise the use of renewable energy sources
‘Very sophisticated mathematical methods are essential to build the energy systems of the future,’ says Carla Silva Gonçalves. ‘Despite the many benefits of renewable energy sources like wind and solar, there are challenges to overcome because of their dependency on the weather. Forecasts are important to balance production and consumption considering high integration levels of renewable energy.’
Soon, more and more energy system operators will be able to reliably maximise the share of renewable energy on the grid not just from their own modelling and forecasts but through a data market that combines information from one another. This ‘collaborative forecast’ is the result of Carla’s PhD research in Applied Mathematics and her postdoctoral research at INESC TEC in Porto.
‘I have collaborated with several companies and institutes on the development of forecasting models that are or will be integrated into digital tools to help decision makers to increase the share of renewable energy sources and reduce the waste of such energy,’ explains Carla.
‘What Carla developed is so original that not only has she published her results in academic journals, but she also submitted a European patent,’ praises her former PhD supervisor Ricardo Bessa. ‘Carla is exploring two new concepts. One is the collaborative forecasting considering data privacy and the other is the creation of a market mechanism that allows companies to buy and sell (monetise) data.’
Carla draws inspiration from mathematics to advance the energy transition. Already at her young age and in addition to her pending patent, Carla has published five journal papers and six international conference papers. Although an academic by profession, she collaborates often with industry and validates her proposals in real use cases. Currently Carla’s focus is on the Smart4RES project, funded under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, where she is advancing data privacy and data markets to enhance cooperation for renewable energy generation forecasts and in predicting extreme generation events. In 2021, the prototype for this data market was one of five finalists in the EIT Jumpstarter 2021.
‘I hope to continue to use mathematics to improve renewable energy predictability and contribute to European climate and energy targets,’ adds Carla.
In increasing renewable energy use in Europe through data sharing, Carla is contributing to both the EU’s renewable energy directive as well as the digitalisation of the European energy system. Through her work, she is delivering on the European Green Deal, and more urgently, supporting the REPowerEU Plan to accelerate the clean energy transition and increase Europe’s energy independence.
The incoming generation ushers in clean energy for Europe
Carla Silva Gonçalves is one of three finalists shortlisted for the European Sustainable Energy Awards 2022 in the Young Energy Trailblazer category. The award recognises people under the age of 35 carrying out outstanding activities that advance the clean energy transition in Europe and inspire ambitious climate and energy action. The other finalists in the Young Energy Trailblazer category are Marie Jeanmougin and Timea Farkas.
Marie Jeanmougin is a 30-year-old engineer establishing a blueprint for high-impact energy-efficient building renovations in France. Timea Farkas is a 25-year-old research engineer and PhD candidate from Romania whose engagement in three EU-funded projects is improving energy efficiency among SMEs.
European Sustainable Energy Awards honour changemakers taking bold action on energy and climate goals
The European Sustainable Energy Awards recognise outstanding individuals and projects for their innovation and efforts in energy efficiency and renewables. Prizes will be awarded in four categories: Innovation, Local Energy Action, Woman in Energy, and Young Energy Trailblazer. Finalists are chosen by a high-level jury from a shortlist of the year’s most successful projects and actions for clean, secure and efficient energy. The winners will be decided by an online public vote which is open now until 18 September.
EUSEW 2022
The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) takes place on 26 to 30 September 2022 under the theme ‘Going green and digital for Europe’s energy transition’. EUSEW will bring thousands of sustainable energy stakeholders together both in Brussels and online to discuss Europe’s energy independence ambitions and climate goals through the REPowerEU Plan’s measures of energy savings, diversification of energy supplies and an accelerated roll-out of renewables.
Registrations for onsite and online attendance are now open.
For interview requests with the EUSEW 2022 Award finalists or additional media information, please contact [email protected]