Energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, aerodynamic modelling and aero energy systems

group leader

prof. Sandro Nižetić, PhD

associates

prof. Branko Klarin, PhD
Mišo Jurčević, PhD
Mate Sablić
Stipe Mađor

Research topics

  1. Thermodynamic and numerical modelling of thermal-flow problems
  2. Energy conversion analysis
  3. Analysis of the hybrid energy systems based on renewables
  4. Aerodynamic modelling of drones
  5. Energy efficiency improvement of the photovoltaic technologies
  6. Energy efficiency
  7. Energy transformation in various applications
  8. Thermal comfort in office buildings and energy consumption

Description of laboratory and equipment

Laboratory for thermodynamics and energy efficiency (LTEF) conducts testing of the solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies, heat pumps as well as other components of the energy systems. Laboratory for aero and hybrid energy systems (LHAES) covers wide spectrum of measurements from the fluid mechanics, modelling and development of the drones is also being conducted in the same laboratory.

Contacts with academic and other institutions

  • Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
  • University of British Columbia, Canada
  • University of Victoria, Canada
  • Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), Vietnam
  • University of Catania, Italy
  • Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi’an, PR China
  • Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
  • Kocaeli University, Türkiye
  • University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
  • University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Serbia
  • Harbin University of Science and Technology, PR China
  • University of Technology Malaysia, Skudai, Malaysia
  • Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Türkiye
  • UIOT University, Canada
  • University of Naples Federico II, Italy
  • Brno University of Technology, Czechia
  • Frederick University, Cyprus
  • Yalova University, Türkiye
  • Cracow University of Technology, Poland
  • Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU), Croatia
  • University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (FSB), Croatia
  • Končar EU, Croatia
  • EVN Croatia plin, Croatia
  • Rudan d.o.o., Croatia
  • HEP ESCO d.o.o., Croatia
  • ION Solutions, Serbia
project title

Energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, aerodynamic modelling, and aero energy systems (EEOIE+AERS)

Description of research in a 5-year term

The focus of the research in the five-years period would be directed on development of the smart cooling techniques for photovoltaic panels, development of the hybrid energy systems with high share of renewables. Modelling and development of the drones would be also one of the key goals in assumed time. Application of the various phase change materials (PCM) would be analysed and experimental investigation of their physical properties. Different waste based PCM materials will be also analysed as cheap and widely accessible PCMs that can have less environmental impact than convectional PCMs. Active cooling techniques for PV panels would be also investigated as combination of active and passive cooling approaches, where also PVT collectors will be analysed. Optimization of the working parameters would be conducted to ensure smart cooling system with minimized consumption of electricity. Investigation of the personal thermal comfort models would be also obtained towards development of the smart regulation systems for air-conditioning devices. Improvement of the aerodynamic characteristics of the drones would be also obtained both by numerical and experimental way. Various aerodynamic profiles would be examined in laboratory conditions. Energy aspect of the complex energy systems would be also examined, both for stationary and mobile energy transfer. Examination of personal thermal comfort will be also examined in the case of the office buildings. Investigation would be focused on experimental work in office buildings in several locations.