Poornima Sundarrajan

I am a PhD student at the Unit of Heat and Power Technology within the Department of Energy Technology at KTH.

My research focuses on planning and optimization of multi-energy systems, with emphasis on Positive Energy Districts (PEDs). As part of the EMPEDOFLEX project, I work on forecasting models, data-driven methods and optimization frameworks to support long-term, district-scale investment planning. My work contributes to the development of tools and methodologies for energy system planning, management and techno-economic assessment, with the aim of supporting informed decision-making for energy communities for long-term transition strategies. The research is validated through real-world case studies across Europe, including the Tamarinden Energy Community in Örebro, Sweden.

Background

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), India. I completed the EIT InnoEnergy Master's programme in Energy for Smart Cities, studying at KU Leuven and KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

During my master's studies, I developed a strong interest in energy system modelling, sector integration and energy storage. My master's thesis and subsequent research experience inspired me to pursue the development of analytical tools that support sustainable energy transition and empower local communities, ultimately motivating me to continue with doctoral research in this field.

Before joining KTH, I worked in both corporate and start-up environments across the information technology and renewable energy sectors. These experiences strengthened my perspective on interdisciplinary collaboration and reinforced my interest in bridging the gap between research, innovation, and the real-world implementation of sustainable energy solutions.