Selected core research grants

[2023 - 2026] Inertial effects on fluid flow in complex porous media :: Inertial effects on fluid flow in complex porous media :: The project focuses on systematic numerical studies of flow through complex porous media to account for hydraulic tortuosity and investigate the usability of the Carman-Kozeny law. In particular, we will study flows through Sierpinski carpets, random models and real samples of packed grains.

[2021 - 2024] Cryptographically secure random number generator :: The project will report on the state of the art in random number generators for use in cryptography and prepare recommendations for implementations of random number generators. Then it will implement true random number generators that extract randomness from quantum mechanical principles and several software modules to post-process random bit-streams.

[2021 - 2025] Advanced modelling of radio channels using ray-optical and numerical meshless methods :: The objective of the research is to study ways of overcoming excessive time requirements while providing acceptable channel modelling accuracy indemanding irregular environments. Our focus will be on environments with no simple geometrical description, such as detail-rich small radio cells.

[2021 - 2025] AiCoachU – Artificial intelligence is coaching you :: Results of the present study will show the eligibility for development of an on-line virtual running coach for safe running and for choosing the proper running shoes. The overall objective of the project is to demonstrate a successful recognition of fatigue onset and excessive pelvic and rearfoot mechanics at different running velocities and surface inclines using deep learning.

[2021 - 2023] Graph Theory and Combinatorial Scientific Computing :: Within this project, in cooperation with Faculty of Computer and Information Science (FRI), InnoRenew (SI) and Alfréd Rényi Institute of Mathematics (HU), we are identifying the problems related to the Combinatorial Scientific Computing and Graph Theory. We design and develop optimization algorithms that can be used on graph-based problems for execution on massively parallel computers. Special focus of the research is on connecting the theory with applications.

[2020 - 2023] Decay of an invasive ctenophore blooms as a perturbation to the coastal marine microbial community :: The ultimate objective of our project is to understand the effect of jellyfish blooms, specifically in terms of organic matter released as jellyfish populations decay, on the natural microbial community and thus, on marine ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical cycles in the ocean. In particularly, we will focus on the invasive bloom-forming ctenophore as perturbation and the potential new, sporadically available, source of dissolved organic matter for the natural bacterial community of the invaded coastal marine ecosystem. We will apply an integrated interdisciplinary approach to tackle this problem – from the molecular to the ecosystem scale.

[2020 - 2023] Past climate change and glaciation at the Alps-Dinarides junction :: Unlike in the European Alps Past, glaciations is not well-studied in the south-eastern corner of the Alps and neighbouring northern Dinarides. In this project, we will improve our understanding of past climate-glacier dynamics at the Alps-Dinarides junction by combining field and model-based approaches. In particular, we will explore the spatio-temporal patterns of glacier fluctuations during the Last Glacial Cycle, the influence of different bed geology on subglacial conditions and glacier dynamics, and the past climate conditions driving the growth and recession of glaciers.

[2016 - 2019] Graph Optimisation and Big Data :: The main goal of the project was identification of problems related to the Big Data challenge in terms of graph models, proving theorems related to these parameters, and designing and implementing highly parallel optimization algorithms for solving these models. The project consisted of theoretic and application oriented parts, where the applications pose the most important practical problems (what are typically somewhat simpler than the problem in full generality) and the theoretical research tries to find theorems that can be applied in the particular question to develop a supercomputer effective procedure.

[2016 - 2019] Multi-analysis of fretting fatigue using physical and virtual experiments :: The fretting fatigue of material is a phenomenon in which two contact surfaces undergo a small oscillatory motion. This project was focused on development of advanced adaptive numerical techniques for numerical simulation of such problems. This was a multi-disciplinary within the Project Lead Agency programmes FWO/FNR and FWO/ARRS where each partner provides expertise in a different discipline: UGent - Belgium in fretting fatigue, UL - Luxemburg in advanced discretisation methods for fracture and JSI - Slovenia in parallel computing.

Selected applied research projects

[2024 - 2025] DiTeR software redesign :: In 2024, we started working on a redesign of DiTeR, a modular software designed to predict the thermal state of power lines under specific operating and weather conditions. The aim of this redesign is to enhance its modularity, enabling custom models to be assembled from various components of the IEEE or CIGRE standards, as well as custom models. The new implementation will allow for integration with the Medusa numerical library facilitating coupling with CFD and potential mechanical models. It will also support multi-layered conductors, feature an improved rain model, and include updated I/O capabilities and Python bindings for core functionalities.

[2023 - 2024] Analysis of dynamic thermal rating in TransnetBW using measured weather data :: The goal of this project is to assist the German transmission line operator TransnetBW in better understanding of their system and to maximise the use of dynamic line rating. We looked at 8 years of weather and current measurements, and conducted quality assessment and statistical analysis of the data. We then used CIGRE TB601 algorithm to perform DTR simulations and analysed the results.

[2023 - 2024] Downscaling meteorological variables over complex terrain :: The goal of this project is to deploy a prototype downscaling model in a framework that is agnostic to the mesoscopic model used for downscaling. In the future, the solution procedure will also be coupled with DiTeR and TrafoFlex where dynamic thermal rating (DTR) models, designed to predict the thermal state of electric power transmission systems, are used to assure the operational safety

[2021 - 2023] TRAFOFLEX - advanced concept of efficient use of transformers leveraging the DTR technology :: The project aims to increase the load capacity of transformers (TR) in a safe way, without adversely affecting the service life and thus gain. So far, the calculation of DTR for TR has been performed only within the framework of ELES’ SUMO project for two cases of energy TR and for one case of distribution TR in TP of mast construction - in all cases TR was directly exposed to weather influences. In the framework of this project, we want to extend the applicability of the DTM model to the consideration of typical buildings in which TRs are located. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop and test the concepts of advanced use of transformers for the purposes of operation, flexibility market and asset management, and thus to prepare the ground for mass implementation of the technology.

[2021 - 2022] Forecasting tap changer regulatory maintenance with advanced analytics :: The Diagnostics and Analytics Centre (DAC) of the Slovenian power transmission operator (ELES) is a meeting point for mass data, advanced analytics, technical expertise and good engineering practices, which data engineers and scientists transform into modern management of ELES’ assets. DAC is collaborating with JSI in an effort to bring modern data analytics in optimization of maintenance costs of several transformer units that utilize on load tap changers (OTLP).

[2019 - 2020] Uncertainty module for DTR :: The idea behind Dynamic Thermal Rating (DTR) is to monitor and predict the maximal allowed ampacity (transmission capacity) of the power grid regarding the weather conditions, which can be unreliable. In this project, we developed a solution for estimating the DTR uncertainty for operational use, based on Monte Carlo random simulations and integrated it into the operational environment of ELES – the Slovenian electric power transmission network operator. The developed module is in operational use since August 2020.

[2015 - 2020] Multifunctional body sensor :: A demonstrator of the principles of wireless ECG measurement has been designed, prototyped, and developed to TRL 9. It is based on Texas Instruments MSP430 low power MCU and external analog part for measuring single channel ECG. Wireless communication is implemented using Bluetooth 4.0 low-energy protocol. ECG signal is acquired on a low-powered microcontroller, then transfered to mobile device and personal computer for processing. In cooperation with a private company, product was developed and released to the market.

[2018 - 2019] DTR in natural convection regime :: Dynamic Thermal Rating (DTR) systems enable better and safer utilization of the existing transmission network, as it, for most cases, enables transmission capacity of lines to be increased above the traditionally used static thermal rating value. Yet, on-site measurements in the Slovenian system have also shown that many sites are regularly subject to conditions of very limited or even no winds, causing the line rating to fall well below the static value. In this project we analysed thermo-fluid simulation of natural convection and compared it with laboratory measurements

[2016 - 2017] De-icing of Power lines :: In February 2014, a severe icing storm hit Slovenia and caused damage in order of 8.5 million € only on the power transmission network. In cooperation with Milan Vidmar Electric Power Research Institute (EIMV) and Slovenian Environment Agency (SEA) we developed and validated a physical model for prediction of icing of power lines, which was implemented as a prototype system for operative forecasting and prevention of icing on high voltage transmission lines. We have validated the prototype system with measurements on an experimental site and through the reconstruction of two real cases, on 1.2.2014 and 5.1.2016 on Beričevo-Divača line.

Selected EU projects

[2024 - 2027] Holistic Approach towards Empowerment of the DiGitalization of the Energy Ecosystem :: HEDGE-IoT proposes a novel Digital Framework which aims to deploy IoT assets at different levels of the energy system (from behind the-meter, up to the TSO level), to add intelligence to the edge and cloud layers through advanced AI/ML tools and to bridge the cloud/edge continuum introducing federated applications governed by advanced computational orchestration solutions.

[2018 - 2021] Supporting Active Ageing through Multimodal coaching :: The project aims to develop and validate a Virtual Assistant-Coach that supports the process of healthy ageing by preserving physical, cognitive, mental, and social well-being of older citizens, and prolonging the period of life they can live safely at home. SAAM focuses on innovative, unobtrusive technology-enabled approaches, with a novel and practical emphasis on wearable and ambient sensing.

[2016 - 2019] EkoSmart :: The purpose of the EkoSmart program is to develop a smart city ecosystem with all the support mechanisms necessary for efficient, optimized and gradual integration of individual areas into a unified and coherent system of value chains. The program focuses on three key domains of smart cities: health, active living and mobility; and forms strategic relationships with municipalities and other areas of smart cities, such as energy, smart buildings, involvement of citizens, smart communities, etc.