The association’s expertise covers the design, control, diagnostics, optimization, management, testing, commissioning, and environmental impact of both fluid-powered machinery (e.g., turbines, process expanders, internal combustion engines, including hybrid propulsion systems, hydraulic motors) and operating machinery (e.g., fans, compressors, and pumps), as well as equipment used for chemical reactions (e.g., combustors, gasifiers, reactors, fuel cells, electrolysers) or heat exchange (e.g., evaporators, condensers, recuperators).
It also evaluates the integration of such machines and equipment into systems for the generation, conversion, storage, and distribution of electrical and thermal energy (including ‘smart grids’) and into terrestrial, marine, aerial, and space propulsion systems (including the study of energy efficiency in vehicles for sustainable mobility), as well as their use in process industries and in the tertiary and residential sectors.
Furthermore, the following systems are studied in their entirety: systems for the conversion of energy from traditional energy sources (fossil fuels and nuclear energy) and renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro, and ocean energy, geothermal energy, biomass, and solid waste), the production and use of sustainable alternative fuels, thermal power plants, refrigeration and heat pump systems, energy transport, recovery, and storage systems and processes, fluid power transmission components and systems, and various direct energy conversion systems. These aspects are also studied in relation to energy planning at various scales and the sustainability of energy processes, systems, and components throughout their life cycle.
Specific details regarding the activities in which the association’s members are engaged can be found on the websites of the research groups active at nearly all Italian universities, the links to which are available in the Research Group section.