Bridging Differences for a Unified Goal – Interview with Boniface Dominick Mselle, WP2 Leader

Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Boniface Dominick Mselle, an R&D+I Energy Engineer at CIRCE, a leading research and training centre focused on technology transfer and sustainability. With a PhD in industrial engineering and IT and over eight years of experience in energy systems, Boniface is dedicated to bridging the gap between research and real-world applications.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself. What is your background? What motivates you? What are you focused on nowadays?

I am an energy systems engineer with a PhD in industrial engineering and IT and 8+ years of experience working on various projects within the energy field and sustainability. Stemming from research projects, e.g. National and EU projects, and B2B projects e.g., energy auditing particularly ISO. 50001, and energy simulations. It is almost a year now since I joined CIRCE, and it is here that my combined passion for research and providing engineering services is best exploited. I get a chance to work as an engineer and as a scientist by bridging research to real-world applications through the transfer of technology. What motivates me is the drive to develop new solutions through dedicated study and immediate transfer of such for implementation in existing necessities. I am highly motivated by the impact we can bring through applied research and energy auditing of facilities for better energy transition and effective use of energy resources.

Q: Can you tell us more about your responsibilities in your company and what CIRCE does?

CIRCE is a 100% self-funded research and training center dedicated to transferring technology and boosting businesses’ competitiveness. Through market-oriented R&D and training in sustainability, resource efficiency, energy networks, and renewable energies, CIRCE anticipates future challenges and delivers innovative solutions that bridge the gap between the laboratory and real-world applications.

At CIRCE, I am an R &D+I Energy Engineer, taking roles in various projects. As a technical personnel member, I am involved in the execution of such projects, playing a critical role in pioneering our mission towards energy transition and applied research for the transfer of technology.

Q: Now, let us know about your role and CIRCE’s role at DIGITISE. What do you do, and what is the most rewarding thing about it? What are CIRCE’s primary responsibilities within the DIGITISE project, and how do these align with the project’s broader goals?

In the DIGITISE project, we participate as WP2 leader with active participation in various task within the project. Here, apart from addressing the technical aspects of the project, I oversee the successful execution of the tasks within the package.  I coordinate project activities at the WP level to ensure that activities are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with the objectives set by the consortium.  Moreover, within this project, CIRCE participates in developing the DIGITISE application, with a focus on developing algorithms for energy management optimization and flexibility. 

Q: How does CIRCE collaborate with other consortium members and work packages to ensure integrated solutions within DIGITISE?

Circe participates actively in the project, providing a wide range of expertise spanning from technical personnel for the development of various tools, to management personnel highly experienced on EU and related projects. 

Q: What challenges does CIRCE anticipate in setting up and testing solutions, particularly in controlled environments like the Living Lab? How will initial evaluations help optimize solutions for broader deployment? 

In the DIGITISE project, we have identified several challenges, particularly in data management and security, and stakeholder engagement and readiness. It is crucial to bring together the involved parties towards a unified objective despite their different backgrounds and interests for a common project goal. Moreover, given the variety of data types and security-oriented issues, secure and friendly data management is an issue that cannot be overlooked.  

Q: How will the new equipment deployed by CIRCE, such as sensors and actuators, enhance data collection and facilitate consumer participation in energy flexibility markets?

CIRCE is developing algorithms for energy optimization considering the implicit flexibility of the assets. These algorithms will optimize the various assets to enhance a wise energy management decision. Moreover, parallel implementation of AI can further provide wider possibilities for foreseeing day-ahead projects for better management.

Q: How does CIRCE envision its role in impacting the long-term scalability and adoption of DIGITISE solutions in real-world settings? 

CIRCE envisions a pivotal role in driving the future of digital energy by integrating advanced analytics and machine learning into Household Digital Twin. Our tools will empower users to gain sharper insights and proactively manage energy usage. With our mission of collaborating closely with industry partners, we’re committed to turning these innovations into real-world success, shaping an interconnected and efficient energy ecosystem. We see our work in DIGITISE resonate across the industry, fueling fresh initiatives and inspiring a new era of sustainability.

Want to know more stories from our DIGITISE Team? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, BlueSky and X to keep up to date!