(8q) Energy Systems Analysis to Enable a Sustainable Economy

Current energy and chemical sectors predominantly depend on fossil resources. Limited fossil resources and significant increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases urge to develop and implement renewable energy conversion processes for a more sustainable economy.

The overarching goal of my research is to meet essential human needs including transportation fuel, chemicals, electricity and water, primarily from renewable energy sources, and ensure a smooth transition to a sustainable economy. My research focuses on multiscale systems analysis of energy conversion technologies for synthesis of energy efficient, synergistic processes incorporating process intensification for optimal utilization of resources.

During my PhD, I have focused on determining the optimal synergistic process design to produce liquid fuel from biomass and natural gas, developing a methodology to synthesize efficient solar thermal hydrogen production processes, identifying and optimizing efficient solar thermal hydrogen production process designs based on the developed methodology, synthesis of integrated thermal desalination processes, creating efficient and intensified processes to convert solar thermal energy into electricity and to continuously supply to the grid by integrated energy storage solutions. Moreover, I have worked on policy analysis of large-scale energy storage options for uninterrupted renewable power supply, particularly on closed loop CO₂-driven energy storage solutions.

Teaching Interests:

I had extensive teaching experience as a teaching assistant at Purdue University. I gave several lectures and prepared several teaching materials including a new curriculum and a complete set of lab instructions for the newest version of Aspen Plus design class. I am passionate about teaching and I am particularly interested in enhancing studentsâ?? understanding on energy conversion technologies, process design and advanced mathematical modeling. I am also interested in teaching thermodynamics, separations, heat and mass transfer.

 I received several teaching awards including 2016 Graduate Schoolâ??s Excellence in Teaching Award, Purdue Universityâ??s highest award in recognition of graduate student teachers, Excellence for Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Award as voted by the graduating seniors for Teaching Excellence in Chemical Engineering and 2013 CETA (Committee Education of Teaching Assistants) Award.

References

 [1] Gençer E, Mallapragada DS, Marechal F, Tawarmalani M, Agrawal R. Round-the-clock power supply and a sustainable economy via synergistic integration of solar thermal power and hydrogen processes, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 112(52), 15821-15826, 2015.

[2] Gençer E, Al-musleh E, Mallapragada D, Agrawal R. Uninterrupted Renewable Power through Chemical Storage Cycles. Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, 5, 29-36, 2014.

[3] Gençer E, Agrawal R. A commentary on the US policies for efficient large scale renewable energy storage systems: Focus on carbon storage cycles, Energy Policy, 88, 477-484, 2016.

[4] Gençer E, Tawarmalani M, Agrawal R, Integrated solar thermal hydrogen and power coproduction process for continuous power supply and production of chemicals, Computer Aided Chemical Engineering, 37, 2291-2296, 2015.

[5] Gençer E, Mallapragada DS, Tawarmalani M, Agrawal R. Synergistic biomass and natural gas conversion to liquid fuel with reduced CO2 emissions. Computer Aided Chemical Engineering, 34:525-530, 2014.