Project title: Swiss-Latvian Partnership in Applied Research Programme Component 2 in the areas of ICT and Smart Energy - LACISE
Identification number:
Type: Swiss-Latvian Cooperation Programme
Project duration 2025 - 2029
Project Manager: Dr. phys. Gints Kučinskis, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL)
Partners:
Institute of Electronics and Computer Science (IECS)
Riga Technical University (RTU)
Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM)
Responsible person from ISSP UL: Dr. Gints Kučinskis
Total funding: 7 144 000 EUR (5 783 238.12 (CHF))
Co-funding: 15% Latvian state funding
Project aim:
The LACISE project aims to promote the development of a sustainable and secure energy supply system in Latvia by addressing current challenges in the energy sector and educating the next generation of scientists. The project brings together scientists from leading institutions in Latvia and Switzerland to conduct research and develop innovative solutions in three main areas:
Improving the stability and efficiency of electricity grids: Artificial intelligence is being to create monitoring and planning tools that facilitate the rapid identification and resolution of disturbances, optimize network operations, and integrate renewable energy sources.
Developing next-generation batteries: Research is focusing on new materials to create more sustainable and efficient energy storage solutions, which would extend battery life, enhance capacity, and reduce reliance on critical materials.
Advancing hydrogen production technologies: Investigations are underway into the extraction of hydrogen from aluminum waste and water using sunlight and innovative catalysts.
The project aims to strengthen Latvia's scientific potential, promote innovation and collaboration with industry, and contribute to the circular economy and environmental remediation.
Project summary:
The Latvian-Swiss Cooperation Programme project LACISE aims to address today's most pressing energy issues and to educate the next generation of scientists. This project promotes close cooperation between Latvian and Swiss scientists. The project focuses on researching and developing solutions for both short-term implementation and long-term advancement in key energy sectors, contributing to the stability of the energy supply system, the creation of next-generation batteries, and the enhancement of hydrogen production technologies.
Expected results:
In the field of electricity grids:
Innovative monitoring tools based on artificial intelligence to rapidly identify and eliminate electricity grid disturbances.
Planning tools to facilitate the expansion of electricity grids and integration with renewable energy sources.
Optimization model to ensure network stability under variable renewable energy production conditions.
In the field of battery technologies:
New materials to improve the lifespan and efficiency of next-generation batteries.
Batteries with higher capacity and longer lifespan, suitable for storing renewable energy.
Reduced use of critical materials in battery production.
In the field of hydrogen production:
Improved technology for obtaining hydrogen from aluminum waste.
New catalysts for hydrogen production from water using sunlight.
Overall outcomes:
Strengthening of Latvia's scientific potential in the field of energy.
Education of a new generation of scientists with specific knowledge and skills.
Fostering collaboration between Latvian and Swiss scientists and institutions.
Creation of innovative solutions that promote the transition to a sustainable energy supply system.
Promotion of circular economy development and environmental remediation.
Tasks at ISSP UL:
Innovative battery material and aging studies
Advanced hydrogen production research
Communication-related tasks
Project webpage: www.lacise.com