Francisco Beltran Vasquez Varela

I am a PhD candidate at the Division of Applied Thermodynamics and Refrigeration at the Department of Energy Technology, specialising in the integration of solar energy technologies and heat pumps for the decarbonisation of the building sector. I am originally from Uruguay, where I earned my degree in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from Universidad de la República, before completing an MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering at KTH.

My research focuses on the combined use of solar photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collectors and ground source heat pumps (GSHP) to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of heating systems in buildings. I work across experimental and simulation-based methods—conducting laboratory testing of PVT systems, performing detailed heat transfer and flow simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics, and developing full-system models in TRNSYS to evaluate performance under dynamic operating conditions. This work supports the design and control of integrated PVT+GSHP systems tailored to heating-dominated regions.

Beyond technical and economic performance, my current work is expanding to consider how end-users interact with integrated energy systems. As part of the ongoing project Smart Renovation Strategies for Sustainable Electrification (SmartReno SE), I am investigating a range of prosumer technologies—including solar PVT systems, battery storage, electric vehicles, and demand-side control solutions—with the aim of understanding not only system design trade-offs, but also consumer behaviour, preferences, and adoption dynamics.

Alongside my research, I am actively involved in education, contributing to several MSc-level courses at KTH and supervising over 20 master’s students in their thesis work. I am currently part of the Future Laureates Societal Challenges Programme, a bilateral initiative supporting early-career research collaboration between Sweden and South Korea.

Outside of KTH, I serve on the Board of Directors of the International Solar Energy Society and have been selected by the World Energy Council as a Global Future Energy Leader, engaging with peers worldwide to advance the development and deployment of human-centered clean energy solutions.