Designing the Urban Energy Transition: From Models to Decisions
Abstract
The transition toward low-carbon cities requires energy decisions that span technologies, sectors, and actors. This presentation examines how modeling and optimization can inform these decisions, supporting the design of urban energy systems that balance performance, cost, and environmental objectives. It discusses approaches for techno-economic planning at the building and district scale, the integration of mobility and energy infrastructures, and strategies for coordinated retrofitting and portfolio management. By linking engineering analysis with policy and planning perspectives, the talk illustrates how analytical tools can translate system complexity of urban energy systems into actionable insights, enabling more informed decisions in guiding sustainable urban transitions.
Short biography
Dr. Georgios Mavromatidis is Head of the Urban Energy Systems Laboratory at Empa, Switzerland, and a lecturer at ETH Zurich. His research focuses on understanding and shaping the transformation of urban energy systems toward low-carbon, resilient, and equitable futures. Combining technological, economic, and policy perspectives, he develops modeling and optimization approaches that support strategic planning, policy design, and decision-making under uncertainty. Working closely with cities, utilities, and policymakers, he aims to bridge analytical research with practical implementation in urban energy transitions. Dr. Mavromatidis holds a PhD in Urban Energy Systems from ETH Zurich, an MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures from Imperial College London, and a Dipl.-Ing. in Mechanical Engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Free sandwiches and beverages will be offered during the seminar.
The transition toward low-carbon cities requires energy decisions that span technologies, sectors, and actors. This presentation examines how modeling and optimization can inform these decisions, supporting the design of urban energy systems that balance performance, cost, and environmental objectives. It discusses approaches for techno-economic planning at the building and district scale, the integration of mobility and energy infrastructures, and strategies for coordinated retrofitting and portfolio management. By linking engineering analysis with policy and planning perspectives, the talk illustrates how analytical tools can translate system complexity of urban energy systems into actionable insights, enabling more informed decisions in guiding sustainable urban transitions.
Short biography
Dr. Georgios Mavromatidis is Head of the Urban Energy Systems Laboratory at Empa, Switzerland, and a lecturer at ETH Zurich. His research focuses on understanding and shaping the transformation of urban energy systems toward low-carbon, resilient, and equitable futures. Combining technological, economic, and policy perspectives, he develops modeling and optimization approaches that support strategic planning, policy design, and decision-making under uncertainty. Working closely with cities, utilities, and policymakers, he aims to bridge analytical research with practical implementation in urban energy transitions. Dr. Mavromatidis holds a PhD in Urban Energy Systems from ETH Zurich, an MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures from Imperial College London, and a Dipl.-Ing. in Mechanical Engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Free sandwiches and beverages will be offered during the seminar.
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free
Organizer
- Prof. Dimitrios Lignos, Director of the Institute of Civil Engineering
Contact
- Prof. Dimitrios Lignos