Research Areas

At the Texas Energy Institute, we drive innovation across a wide range of sustainable energy topics. Our interdisciplinary research supports clean energy advancement, technology integration, and workforce development across Texas and beyond. Below is a preview of some of our areas of focus:

Carbon Capture, Storage, Sequestration and Reutilization

This project aims to support CPS Energy’s long-term carbon reduction strategy by identifying and evaluating innovative technologies for carbon capture, storage, sequestration, and reutilization. UTSA’s Carbon Team conducted a comprehensive literature review and developed the Integrated Carbon Solutions Index Library to assess current industry solutions. The resulting report outlines leading technologies and company profiles in the carbon sector. These findings will inform a strategic roadmap for technology validation and implementation within the CPS Energy service area. Ultimately, the project seeks to establish a system-wide carbon budget and optimize greenhouse gas emissions management.

Collaborators: University of Siena, Dr. Juan Gomez, Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute

Eagle Ford Shale

The Eagle Ford Shale project explores the intersection of energy, water, and economic development in one of the most significant oil and gas reserves in the continental U.S. As San Antonio transitions toward cleaner energy sources like gas, wind, and solar, this initiative emphasizes the importance of developing a long-term strategy to manage increasing water demands and reduce carbon emissions. By addressing the complex challenges and opportunities presented by the Eagle Ford Shale, the project seeks to position San Antonio as a national leader in sustainable energy development and regional planning.

Electrification of Transportation

This project focuses on enabling the widespread adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles in San Antonio to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Key research areas include identifying early adopters, setting charging technology standards, designing utility tariffs, and establishing public infrastructure guidelines. The team also explores municipal policies and incentive structures to promote electric vehicle use. Following a 2011 workshop, 11 EV charging stations were installed across UTSA campuses, leading to the development of a research roadmap and action plan for pilot and demonstration projects.

Energy Conservation & Residential Consumption

This project aims to improve residential energy efficiency by combining behavioral science and technology to understand and influence consumption patterns. In partnership with CPS Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), UTSA researchers analyzed home and household characteristics—such as age of the home, income, and household size—to identify areas with high conservation potential. Using NREL’s modeling tools, the team simulates “virtual” retrofits to determine energy savings across various housing types. The results inform targeted strategies and incentives that encourage energy-saving behaviors and efficient upgrades, creating a data-driven roadmap for large-scale conservation across San Antonio neighborhoods.

Energy Efficiency Online Outreach

This project uses online tools and storytelling to connect San Antonio residents with energy-saving strategies, based on local research and personal experience. TSERI shares data-driven content, such as the 2014 blog “Winter Energy Bill Woes: Do You Know WATTs Up?”, to explain how weather impacts energy bills and offer practical tips for reducing consumption, like adjusting thermostat settings and using high-efficiency bulbs. This initiative supports TSERI’s mission to increase energy literacy and promote behavior change through accessible, engaging digital content.

Energy-Water Nexus

TSERI's Nexus Lab explores the critical interdependence between energy and water systems in South Central Texas. With rising water demands from power generation and oil exploration, the project brings together stakeholders to develop sustainable, data-driven strategies that ensure long-term resource resilience and regional prosperity.

Large Scale Photovoltaic Integration

This research evaluates key areas of solar energy integration within the CPS Energy service area, focusing on performance evaluations, demand response design to address intermittency, and reliability analysis for the Blue Wing Solar farm. The project also explores energy storage technologies and economics, as well as innovative forecasting methodologies to support large-scale photovoltaic deployment.

Collaborators:
Mo Jamshidi, Ph.D., Brian Kelley, Ph.D., Ram Krishnan, Ph.D., Hariharan Krishnaswami, Ph.D., Rolando Vega, Ph.D., P.E. (UTSA & Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute)

UTSA Installation of Distributed Solar Energy Resources

A collaboration between the Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute, UTSA College of Engineering, Southwest Research Institute, and VI Design Group, this project installed a 313kW distributed solar energy system across UTSA's 1604 and downtown campuses. The system includes 1228 solar panels, 21 inverters, and 18 smart combiner boxes, with real-time monitoring available via an online platform. The goal is to produce 242 MWh of energy annually, saving UTSA an estimated $65,000 per year.

Collaborators:
State Energy Conservation Office, VI Design Group, Brian Kelley, Ph.D., Hariharan Krishnaswami, Ph.D., Mo Jamshidi, Ph.D., Juan Gomez, Ph.D., P.E., Gerardo Trevino, Rolando Vega, Ph.D., P.E.

UTSA Solar Forecasting Research

At UTSA, we are dedicated to harnessing solar energy for a sustainable future. One of the challenges with solar power is accurately predicting solar irradiance, which impacts both power generation and demand. To address this, we are developing advanced forecasting tools to predict solar energy availability with high temporal and spatial resolution.

Our tools are designed to enhance solar plant operations and maintenance (O&M), making solar power a more reliable and dispatchable resource. By improving forecasting accuracy, we aim to increase the value of solar energy for electric utilities and help them better manage load demands.

Key Initiatives:

  • Day-Ahead Forecasting Product

  • Intra-hour Forecasting Product

  • Sky Imaging Forecasting Technology Product

We are working with CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned utility in the U.S., on one of the nation’s largest solar forecasting projects. UTSA is committed to advancing solar energy research, ensuring it delivers the highest return on investment for San Antonio, Texas, and beyond.

Collaborators:
Rolando Vega, Ph.D., P.E., Hariharan Krishnaswami, Ph.D., Mo Jamshidi, Ph.D., Sos Agaian, Ph.D., Yashar Sahraei-Manjili, Jaro Nummikoski, Alejandro Camargo, Johanna Hansen, Robert A. Onufrei (Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute, UTSA)

Robotic Solar Tracking System

Overview:
Buildings contribute 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and building-integrated photovoltaic (PV) systems can meet a building's energy needs. Adding a solar tracker can boost PV efficiency by up to 40%. The development of an autonomous soft robotic solar tracking system for building-integrated PV aims to enhance energy efficiency while adapting to occupant preferences.

Why a Soft Robotic Solar Tracker?

  • Lightweight with a higher power-to-weight ratio

  • Muscle-like actuation for flexibility

  • Easy and cost-effective fabrication

Collaborators:

  • Wei Gao (PI) – Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering (Mechanical Design and Materials)

  • Pranav A. Bhounsule (Co-PI) – Assistant Professor of Electrical & Computer and Mechanical Engineering (Control and Robotics)

Wind Energy Research

UTSA leads in wind energy research, with over 300 publications, 12 textbooks, and more than 25 grants. Our multidisciplinary approach enhances the lifecycle and operations of wind farms, creating value for the industry. We apply cutting-edge research in systems of systems, artificial intelligence, reliability, fatigue and fracture, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and cloud computing to optimize the real-time operations of dynamic systems in wind energy.

Core Competencies:

  • Real-Time CFD through Cloud Computing

  • Wind Turbine Simulation with Aero-Servo-Elastic Codes

  • Accelerated Life Testing & Material Degradation

  • Fatigue & Fracture Techniques from Aerospace

  • Prognostics & Prediction of Drive-train Failures

  • Statistical Optimization of Systems

  • Self-Learning Systems via AI & Smart Controls

Our integrated approach ensures a comprehensive and dynamic solution for the lifecycle and operations of wind farms.

Collaborators:
Rolando Vega, Ph.D., Harry Millwater, Ph.D., Kiran Bhaganagar, Ph.D., Victor Maldonado, Ph.D., Arturo Montoya, Ph.D., Bing Dong, Ph.D., Mo Jamshidi, Ph.D., David Han, Ph.D. (UTSA)

SCO2 Power Generation for Renewable Energy Extraction

Summary:
Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (sCO2) cycles offer several advantages for renewable energy generation:

  • Higher Efficiency: Up to 50%

  • Smaller Mechanical Components: 30% reduction

  • Lower Cost of Electricity: 20-30% reduction

  • Ideal for Renewable Energy: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions

UTSA’s multidisciplinary team is well-equipped to advance sCO2 technology, offering CPS Energy a chance to lead in this next-generation renewable energy field.

Collaborators:

  • Christopher Combs & Kiran Bhaganagar – Department of Mechanical Engineering, UTSA

  • Karan Bhanot – Department of Finance, UTSA

  • Sara Ahmed – Department of Electrical Engineering, UTSA

  • Jacob Delimont – Propulsion and Energy Section, SwRI

STEM Learning through Gaming

This project develops a mobile Augmented Reality (AR) program to teach energy conservation in secondary and public schools. By integrating AR technology into real-world environments, students engage with energy concepts more dynamically than traditional methods like lectures or textbooks. The application provides a playful, interactive platform for visualizing abstract concepts and motivates students to problem-solve.

The focus is on mechanical cooling systems, renewable energy, and the energy-water nexus—topics that meet both regional and national educational needs. A smart tool for simulating passive solar dynamics is also available for download.

Collaborators:
Afamia Elnakat, Ph.D., Carmen Fies, Ph.D. (Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute & UTSA)

UTSA SmartLiving Campus

The UTSA SmartLiving campus focuses on eliminating energy waste and enhancing energy efficiency through advanced technology and active control systems. Serving as a national model, it integrates innovative solutions to research the intersection of behavioral sciences and technology across six of UTSA’s seven colleges.

Key Features:

  • Multisite Solar-Farm: Three solar installations across the 1604 and downtown campuses, featuring 1228 panels, 21 inverters, 18 smart combiner boxes, and a real-time monitoring website for research on solar power and energy variability.

  • Electric Vehicle Charging: 11 Level III EV charging stations from Coulomb Technologies are available at both campuses.

  • Energy Monitoring: Real-time monitoring tracks energy consumption across the downtown campus, focusing on HVAC, lighting, and plug loads.

Upcoming Goals:

  • LED Lighting in downtown campus buildings for energy savings.

  • Carbon Monitoring Sensors in classrooms for optimal cooling.

  • Thermal Camera Sensors to study heating and cooling patterns in the downtown cafeteria.

Collaborators:
Michael Cation, SmarteBuilding, Juan Gomez, Ph.D., P.E., Rolando Vega, Ph.D., P.E., Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute

Secure, Resilient and Smart Grid

Summary:
Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (sCO2) cycles offer several advantages for renewable energy generation:

  • Higher Efficiency: Up to 50%

  • Smaller Mechanical Components: 30% reduction

  • Lower Cost of Electricity: 20-30% reduction

  • Ideal for Renewable Energy: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions

UTSA’s multidisciplinary team is well-equipped to advance sCO2 technology, presenting CPS Energy with the opportunity to lead in this next-generation renewable energy field.

Collaborators:

  • Christopher Combs & Kiran Bhaganagar – Department of Mechanical Engineering, UTSA

  • Karan Bhanot – Department of Finance, UTSA

  • Sara Ahmed – Department of Electrical Engineering, UTSA

  • Jacob Delimont – Propulsion and Energy Section, SwRI

TSERI/CPS 2017 Projects

1. Proactive Energy Management System (PEMS) for Integrated Control of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and Solar-Powered Buildings

Research Goals:

  • Develop a control and communication platform integrating grid signals, solar energy generation, battery storage, and building energy management systems.

Research Description:

  • Distributed energy resources like photovoltaic (PV) systems, electric vehicles (EVs), and battery storage are becoming more prevalent. This creates uncertain electrical load patterns, contributing to grid instability and energy waste. The project addresses the need for flexible energy loads and ancillary services to ensure reliable grid operation.

2. Harvesting Mechanical and Thermal Energy from Roadways

Research Goal:

  • Refine and implement a system for harvesting energy from roadways, specifically through a Hybrid Integrated Sensing and Energy Conversion (HISEC) system.

Project Description:

  • Researchers at UTSA developed prototypes that harvest energy from roadways using mechanical strain (induced by traffic) and elevated asphalt heat. These energy conversion modules can power low-watt LEDs, with prototypes embedded in pavement. The system produces 1.5 watts per passing truck and 15 milliwatts per square inch of pavement during the day, providing new alternatives to supplement peak-hour energy demands.

3. Smart Grid Security and Attack Resiliency: A Forensics-driven Approach

Research Goal:

  • Integrate forensic-driven security measures into smart grid systems to enhance incident response and investigation capabilities.

Project Description:

  • Smart grid networks are vulnerable to cyberattacks, with previous incidents highlighting risks to energy infrastructure. This project seeks to improve incident investigation by ensuring that residual data is available for forensic analysis, helping identify attack causes and prevent future incidents.

4. Using Machine Learning to Improve Intra-hour Prediction of Solar Irradiance and Ramp Events in the CPS Microgrid at JBSA

Research Goal:

  • Provide day-ahead and real-time forecasting capabilities to enhance solar and energy storage management at the microgrid.

Project Description:

  • The UTSA SkyImager is an affordable, edge-computing all-sky imager that forecasts intra-hour solar irradiance, which is used to predict power output from PV arrays. Deployed at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), the system contributes data and forecasts to the Siemens MicroGrid Management System.

5. Sustainability and Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Research Goal:

  • Develop a climate action and adaptation plan for the City of San Antonio.

Project Description:

  • The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) outlines strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts. This includes setting emission reduction targets, evaluating climate-related risks, and identifying measures to build resilience.

Coming Soon

As we continue to update and relaunch our site, more detailed information on each project will be added, including publications, faculty collaborators, and student opportunities.

Stay tuned for updates!

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