Academic Profile : Faculty
Prof Alessandro Romagnoli
Co-Director
Professor, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Email
External Links
Alessandro is an Associate Professor in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London in 2010.
Alessandro is currently serving as Assistant Dean for Innovation and Enterprise at Nanyang Technological University, focussing on technology translation and collaboration with Industry. Since 2020, Alessandro has been appointed as Co-Director of the NTU-Surbana Jurong Corporate Lab, a S$60M effort looking at Intelligent Urban Solutions, Active Solutions for Sustainability, and Future of Construction and Underground. Since 2015 Alessandro is also serving as Cluster Director on Multi-Energy Systems and Grids at the Energy Research Institute @ Nanyang Technological University.
During his time at NTU, Alessandro established the Thermal Energy Systems Lab @NTU which focuses on energy conversion and management, power generation - from large scale to distributed energy generation applied to micro-grids, and energy systems integration for different energy mixes - including renewables and energy storage. Focus is on Liquefied Natural Gas, Cryogenic Energy Storage (Liquid Air Energy System and Hydrogen), Heat Recovery (including Geothermal), and Thermal Energy Storage. Alessandro’s work also covers studies on the Cold Economy in developed/developing countries.
Alessandro’s research activity is mainly focused on serving the industry by providing advice and viable solutions for some of their most pressing challenges, such as reducing carbon footprint, energy efficiency, and energy prosumption. Alessandro’s research is not solely focussed on in-depth energy systems analysis, but it looks at the implications that the integration of different energy systems has on the environment, and operational and investment costs. This work led to the set-up of one spin-off company, Multi-Energy Decarbonized Solutions, offering predictive and intelligent algorithms for optimal design, planning, and integration of diversified energy systems.
Alessandro is advising the International Finance Corporation – World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, and others on energy-related projects. Alessandro is also serving as a reviewer and advisor for Breakthrough Energy (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and the European Research Council and he sits on Scientific and Advisory Boards in a number of companies and initiatives.
Alessandro has published more than 100 articles in top-tier research journals, and he is the recipient of several awards and recognition in the academic and research field.
Alessandro is currently serving as Assistant Dean for Innovation and Enterprise at Nanyang Technological University, focussing on technology translation and collaboration with Industry. Since 2020, Alessandro has been appointed as Co-Director of the NTU-Surbana Jurong Corporate Lab, a S$60M effort looking at Intelligent Urban Solutions, Active Solutions for Sustainability, and Future of Construction and Underground. Since 2015 Alessandro is also serving as Cluster Director on Multi-Energy Systems and Grids at the Energy Research Institute @ Nanyang Technological University.
During his time at NTU, Alessandro established the Thermal Energy Systems Lab @NTU which focuses on energy conversion and management, power generation - from large scale to distributed energy generation applied to micro-grids, and energy systems integration for different energy mixes - including renewables and energy storage. Focus is on Liquefied Natural Gas, Cryogenic Energy Storage (Liquid Air Energy System and Hydrogen), Heat Recovery (including Geothermal), and Thermal Energy Storage. Alessandro’s work also covers studies on the Cold Economy in developed/developing countries.
Alessandro’s research activity is mainly focused on serving the industry by providing advice and viable solutions for some of their most pressing challenges, such as reducing carbon footprint, energy efficiency, and energy prosumption. Alessandro’s research is not solely focussed on in-depth energy systems analysis, but it looks at the implications that the integration of different energy systems has on the environment, and operational and investment costs. This work led to the set-up of one spin-off company, Multi-Energy Decarbonized Solutions, offering predictive and intelligent algorithms for optimal design, planning, and integration of diversified energy systems.
Alessandro is advising the International Finance Corporation – World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, and others on energy-related projects. Alessandro is also serving as a reviewer and advisor for Breakthrough Energy (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and the European Research Council and he sits on Scientific and Advisory Boards in a number of companies and initiatives.
Alessandro has published more than 100 articles in top-tier research journals, and he is the recipient of several awards and recognition in the academic and research field.
Alessandro's research interests are
• Multi-Energy Systems design, integration and planning for low carbon grids/micro-grids
• Clean and Low Carbon technologies (Hydrogen, Liquid Air, Liquefied Natural Gas)
• Thermal Energy Storage (sensible, latent, and thermochemical)
• Energy Recovery (Organic Rankine Cycle, Thermoelectric Generation, Turbomachinery)
• Cold Economy
• Multi-Energy Systems design, integration and planning for low carbon grids/micro-grids
• Clean and Low Carbon technologies (Hydrogen, Liquid Air, Liquefied Natural Gas)
• Thermal Energy Storage (sensible, latent, and thermochemical)
• Energy Recovery (Organic Rankine Cycle, Thermoelectric Generation, Turbomachinery)
• Cold Economy
- Geothermal-Driven Technologies for Passive Enabling of Urban Sustainability Solutions (NTU PI: Alessandro Romagnoli)
- Geothermal-Driven Technologies for Passive Enabling of Urban Sustainability Solutions
- Geothermal-Driven Technologies for Passive Enabling of Urban Sustainability Solutions (TUM CREATE PI: Tobias Massier)
- Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) Technology for Singapore (ERI@N)
- Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) Technology for Singapore (PSA)
- Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) Technology for Singapore
- Overhead Recovery - SJ-NTU Corporate Lab
- Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) Technology for Singapore (Chiyoda)
- Advanced heat transfer assessment for enhanced heat extraction and utilization (PI: Prof. Alessandro Romagnoli) (Project Partner: UGM)
US 2020/0173298 A1: Turbine Housing And Method Of Improving Efficiency Of A Radial/Mixed Flow Turbine (2022)
Abstract: A turbine housing for a radial/mixed flow turbine, the turbine having a rotor comprising a plurality of blades disposed about a hub, the turbine housing comprising: a shroud configured to at least partially enshroud the rotor wherein a clearance is provided between the shroud and blade tips of the plurality of blades, the shroud and the hub defining a main passage of fluid flow in the turbine; and at least one injection opening provided in the shroud, the at least one injection opening configured to allow injection of a secondary flow of fluid into at least the clearance between the shroud and the blade tips.
US 2023/0019959 A1: Cryogenic Energy System For Cooling And Powering An Indoor Environment (2023)
Abstract: A cryogenic energy system for cooling and powering an indoor environment includes a cryogenic open loop comprising a cryogen source to supply a cryogen and at least one transfer-expansion stage in fluid connection with the cryogen source, each transfer-expansion stage comprising at least one heat exchanger for heat transfer therein from a hot fluid to the cryogen and a power unit for expansion therein of the cryogen that has been heated in the at least one heat exchanger to generate electricity, the at least one heat exchanger including an evaporator; and a heat supply open loop configured to provide the hot fluid for heat exchange with the cryogen in the at least one heat exchanger; the cryogenic energy system configured to perform heat removal from a first heat transfer loop of a conventional cooling system, the first heat transfer loop transferring heat obtained from air in the indoor environment.
Abstract: A turbine housing for a radial/mixed flow turbine, the turbine having a rotor comprising a plurality of blades disposed about a hub, the turbine housing comprising: a shroud configured to at least partially enshroud the rotor wherein a clearance is provided between the shroud and blade tips of the plurality of blades, the shroud and the hub defining a main passage of fluid flow in the turbine; and at least one injection opening provided in the shroud, the at least one injection opening configured to allow injection of a secondary flow of fluid into at least the clearance between the shroud and the blade tips.
US 2023/0019959 A1: Cryogenic Energy System For Cooling And Powering An Indoor Environment (2023)
Abstract: A cryogenic energy system for cooling and powering an indoor environment includes a cryogenic open loop comprising a cryogen source to supply a cryogen and at least one transfer-expansion stage in fluid connection with the cryogen source, each transfer-expansion stage comprising at least one heat exchanger for heat transfer therein from a hot fluid to the cryogen and a power unit for expansion therein of the cryogen that has been heated in the at least one heat exchanger to generate electricity, the at least one heat exchanger including an evaporator; and a heat supply open loop configured to provide the hot fluid for heat exchange with the cryogen in the at least one heat exchanger; the cryogenic energy system configured to perform heat removal from a first heat transfer loop of a conventional cooling system, the first heat transfer loop transferring heat obtained from air in the indoor environment.
Awards
International Solid Waste Association, Silver medal for the Paper titled: “Towards higher energy efficiency in future waste-to-energy plants with novel latent heat storage-based thermal buffer system”, H. Xu, W.Y. Lin, F. Dal Magro, T. Li, X. Py,
A. Romagnoli, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.
The Best Paper Award, 30th International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems, San Diego (USA) - Paper Title: “Energetic, Economic and Environmental analysis of an integrated Waste-to -Energy Cryogenic Air Separation Plant”, A. Tafone, F. Dal Magro, A. Romagnoli.
The Dugald Clerk Prize, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, London (United Kingdom) - Paper Title: “Turbine performance studies for automotive turbochargers. Part one: steady analysis”, A. Romagnoli, S. Rajoo, R.F. Martinez-Botas.
A. Romagnoli, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.
The Best Paper Award, 30th International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems, San Diego (USA) - Paper Title: “Energetic, Economic and Environmental analysis of an integrated Waste-to -Energy Cryogenic Air Separation Plant”, A. Tafone, F. Dal Magro, A. Romagnoli.
The Dugald Clerk Prize, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, London (United Kingdom) - Paper Title: “Turbine performance studies for automotive turbochargers. Part one: steady analysis”, A. Romagnoli, S. Rajoo, R.F. Martinez-Botas.
Fellowships & Other Recognition
Alessandro's work has been featured in a number of media, globally:
- LAREPUBBLICA: this newspaper is the second largest in Italy and the first one in its online/digital version with around 3million 705 thousand unique users per day
> Featured work on Liquid Air
https://www.repubblica.it/green-and-blue/2021/12/17/news/liquid_air_energy_storage_batterie_aria_liquida-330415002/
- CNBC – MILANO FINANZA: this is a TV channel in partnership with NBC, Dow Jones, General Electric and Mediaset
> Featured work on Liquid Air
https://video.milanofinanza.it/video/sustainable-future-l-energia-del-futuro-swiMWhEAgpxE
- CHANNELNEWSASIA: Singapore-based broadcast with more than 60million households outreach in 26 countries
> Featured work on Geothermal energy
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/food-energy-water/energy-2994941
- ASIAN-POWER: quarterly publication for power generation, transmission and distribution with a circulation guaranteed at 6,250 copies reaching 25,000 readers
> Featured work on Geothermal eergy
https://asian-power.com/project/exclusive/singapore-digs-deep-unleash-geothermal-energy-potential
- THINKGEOENERGY: ThinkGeoEnergy delivers business-to-business news with a focus on development, technology, finance, and related topics
> Featured work on Geothermal energy
https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/could-a-hot-spring-provide-geothermal-energy-in-singapore/
- GLOBAL CHINA DAILY: China Daily has the widest print circulation in China (in English), with a circulation of 300,000 readers in the U.S. and 600,000 overseas – > Featured work on Geothermal energy
http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202209/05/WS63154eb2a310fd2b29e75e64.html
- YAHOO!FINANCE: global online platform providing financial news, ranked as the world’s 20th largest news and media websites
> Featured work on Geothermal energy
https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/singapore-explores-geothermal-energy-potential-072435437.html
- LAREPUBBLICA: this newspaper is the second largest in Italy and the first one in its online/digital version with around 3million 705 thousand unique users per day
> Featured work on Liquid Air
https://www.repubblica.it/green-and-blue/2021/12/17/news/liquid_air_energy_storage_batterie_aria_liquida-330415002/
- CNBC – MILANO FINANZA: this is a TV channel in partnership with NBC, Dow Jones, General Electric and Mediaset
> Featured work on Liquid Air
https://video.milanofinanza.it/video/sustainable-future-l-energia-del-futuro-swiMWhEAgpxE
- CHANNELNEWSASIA: Singapore-based broadcast with more than 60million households outreach in 26 countries
> Featured work on Geothermal energy
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/food-energy-water/energy-2994941
- ASIAN-POWER: quarterly publication for power generation, transmission and distribution with a circulation guaranteed at 6,250 copies reaching 25,000 readers
> Featured work on Geothermal eergy
https://asian-power.com/project/exclusive/singapore-digs-deep-unleash-geothermal-energy-potential
- THINKGEOENERGY: ThinkGeoEnergy delivers business-to-business news with a focus on development, technology, finance, and related topics
> Featured work on Geothermal energy
https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/could-a-hot-spring-provide-geothermal-energy-in-singapore/
- GLOBAL CHINA DAILY: China Daily has the widest print circulation in China (in English), with a circulation of 300,000 readers in the U.S. and 600,000 overseas – > Featured work on Geothermal energy
http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202209/05/WS63154eb2a310fd2b29e75e64.html
- YAHOO!FINANCE: global online platform providing financial news, ranked as the world’s 20th largest news and media websites
> Featured work on Geothermal energy
https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/singapore-explores-geothermal-energy-potential-072435437.html
Courses Taught
MA3702 - Aircraft Propulsion
MA4819 - Energy Technologies for Sustainability
BM6805 - Energy Systems and The Future of Energy
MA4819 - Energy Technologies for Sustainability
BM6805 - Energy Systems and The Future of Energy