Katarina Rupar Gadd

I am an Associate Professor in Energy Technology, specializing in research on smart energy renovations in apartment buildings and villas, as well as circularity in the building sector. I am deeply committed to fostering collaboration between academia and industry, particularly in projects that involve student participation. In addition to my research, I serve as the Program Manager for the Bachelor of Science in Engineering program in Energy and Environment, and I am the Course Manager for several courses within the program. My teaching portfolio includes courses in sustainable development, environmental engineering, chemical engineering, energy and environment, project management, and university pedagogy.

Teaching

I am responsible for the courses Energy Coordinator, Energy Systems in Society, and Energy Systems – Project. I also teach the following courses: Sustainable Energy Supply, Environmental Engineering with a Focus on Sustainable Development, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Energy Systems, Analytical Methods with an Environmental Focus, and the Degree Project in Bioenergy Technology.

Additionally, I oversee the seminar series Gula Tråden 2.0 in Växjö, a continuing education program designed for university educators, focusing on constructive alignment and practical teaching methods. I am also the course manager and instructor for the qualifying pedagogy courses for university teachers, BHU1 and BHU2.

Research

My research primarily focuses on smart energy renovations in apartment buildings and villas. For single-family homes, several factors may prevent homeowners from undertaking energy renovations. By developing innovative design solutions tailored to different types of homes, we can create opportunities to rent out parts of the property, generating income to fund energy renovations. A "one-stop-shop" concept can be employed to simplify decision-making for homeowners.

For homeowners, determining the optimal combination of energy renovation options can be challenging. For instance, if you plan to charge an electric vehicle with solar power, should you invest in a battery or smart control technology to optimize electricity pricing? Is it worthwhile to invest in hybrid solar cells? Can excess heat be used to recharge the geothermal energy borehole? Does the direction of solar panel installation matter? My research explores these questions by assessing various energy renovation strategies for villas.

In multi-family apartment buildings undergoing energy renovations, there are numerous choices to consider, and it is not always clear which options are the most effective. By examining different solutions involving district heating, air-source heat pumps, heat recovery from ventilation air or wastewater, solar panels, and individual units or central systems for installations, I evaluate energy-saving and cost-saving potential based on local district heating and electricity prices.

To facilitate the transition from the current linear value chain to a circular economy in the construction industry, it is crucial for the sector to explore methods for reducing carbon emissions and minimizing resource use. Training programs for circular construction, design guidelines for future development, and lessons learned from pilot projects are essential to demonstrate how the construction industry can become more circular and sustainable.

Commissions

2024 – Present: Board Member, Indoor Environment Center. An association focused on building knowledge and fostering attitudinal change both within and outside the indoor environment sector. It also facilitates coordination among researchers, manufacturers, project developers, builders, and users, both regionally and nationally.

2023 – Present: Board Member, Environmental vehicles Sweden. An association dedicated to advancing the adoption of environmentally-friendly vehicles, promoting green energy, and enhancing the efficiency of vehicle and transport use.

2018 – Present: Co-opted Board Member, GodaHus. An initiative aimed at promoting energy-efficient buildings in the Southeast region. This is achieved through investment in research and development in collaboration with Linnaeus University and both public and private sector partners in the region.

2020 – Present: Board Member, Markussen Study Fund Foundation. The foundation provides scholarships to students who are "needy, diligent, and exceptionally talented," as well as research grants to support the final stages of doctoral studies.