In the midst of the ongoing transformation in power systems driven by the shift to renewable energy, finding effective ways to balance electricity supply and demand is crucial. Energy storage plays a pivotal role in addressing this challenge, and among the established technologies, pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) stands out as the most mature and widespread. There is however still significant untapped potential and room for improvement in PHES, by exploring new sites and adopting innovative technologies further improving the flexibility of this storage type.

This work addresses the challenge of designing a synchronous reluctance machine with a focus on on optimizing mean torque, torque ripple and structural integrity. Simultaneous optimization of all parameters results in computing times of several months, a consequence of the large number of parameters and the long evaluation times of finite element models required to capture all the phenomena involved in the operation of these machines.

One possible route for the geological disposal of the Belgian reactor 1 (BR1) fuel, which will eventually become nuclear waste, could be the direct encapsulation of the whole fuel capsule in a cementitious matrix. Because the cladding of the BR1 fuel is made of aluminium alloy 1100 (AA1100), this alloy would be in direct contact with the cementitious matrix. Due to its amphoteric property, aluminium cannot form a passive corrosion product film in Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) paste, which possesses a highly alkaline condition.

Le Recteur de l'Université catholique de Louvain fait savoir que Monica Baur soutiendra publiquement sa dissertation pour l'obtention du grade de Doctorat en information et communication :

La vulgarisation scientifique sur le web. Étude des pratiques de vulgarisation de vidéastes et de podcasteur·euses francophones indépendants (2020-2023).

Le Recteur de l'Université catholique de Louvain fait savoir que

Monica Baur

soutiendra publiquement sa dissertation pour l'obtention du grade de Doctorat en information et communication

La vulgarisation scientifique sur le web. Étude des pratiques de vulgarisation de vidéastes et de podcasteur·euses francophones indépendants (2020-2023)

Improving Information Security through Model Driven IT Governance

Landslide dams are natural dams that are formed by the blockage of a river channel with landslides, rock falls and debris flows. Landslide dams are prone to overtopping failure shortly after their formation, resulting in catastrophic floods in the downstream areas, further posing a great danger to the local residents and altering the local environment.

“The temporal dynamics of parental burnout:

Extending the network approach to the family system”

Madame Marie Annelise BLANCHARD soutiendra publiquement sa thèse en vue de l’obtention du grade de Doctorat en sciences psychologiques et de l’éducation

Composition du jury 

Promoteur :

Prof. Alexandre HEEREN (UCLouvain/PSP/IPSY) – Secrétaire

Membres :

I feel, therefore I am:

An investigation on mindfulness, body awareness, and emotion regulation in youth

Madame Marbella PÉREZ PEÑA soutiendra publiquement sa thèse en vue de l’obtention du grade de Doctorat en sciences psychologiques et de l’éducation

Composition du jury 

Promoteurs :

Prof. Pierre PHILIPPOT (UCLouvain/PSP/IPSY) – Secrétaire