HESS is a two-year research project and is a collaboration between the Department of Electrical Engineering within the University of Malta and Beijing Institute of Technology in China. In principle, the project shall involve fundamental research in the area of Energy Hubs based microgrids for the exploitation of green energy and builds upon the extensive knowledge available both locally at the University of Malta and our Chinese partners in the area of energy storage.
The number of renewable energy sources (RES) has increased substantially over the past decade and this is expected to continue to increase in the coming years in line with the 2030 EU targets. This increase shall put additional stress on the distribution network unless the energy generated is consumed/stored at source. HESS is concerned with the study, modelling and simulation of a microgrid incorporating an electro‐hydrogen hybrid energy storage facility for EV charging in an industrial setting. The concept is for a Green charging infrastructure for EVs powered primarily by the local generated RES . The excess generation shall be used for the local production and storage of green hydrogen. The innovative aspect of the project HESS is to avoid curtailment of green energy within the microgrid by using it, storing it or converting it into other alternative fuels.
The project started in January 2024 and has a duration of 24 months. Regular updates on the progress and outcomes of this work will be shared with the academic community and the public.
HESS received funding from the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MSCT) and the Ministry for Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China (MOST), through the SINO-MALTA Fund 2023 Call (Science and Technology Cooperation)
