Professor at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway
Professor Truls Gundersen is a distinguished scholar in energy and process engineering whose career spans academia, industry, and international research collaborations. He is globally recognized for pioneering contributions in process integration, pinch analysis, exergy optimization, and low-temperature processes such as LNG and liquid air energy storage. As a professor and later professor emeritus at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, he has combined rigorous scientific inquiry with impactful teaching, leaving a profound influence on both students and the engineering profession.
Professional Profile
Scopus Profile
Education
Professor Gundersen earned a Master’s degree in Physics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, where he built a strong foundation in physical sciences and engineering principles. He went on to complete a PhD in Chemical Engineering at the same institution, focusing on thermodynamics, optimization, and process integration. This academic training equipped him with the expertise to contribute groundbreaking research that bridges theoretical innovation and practical industrial applications.
Experience
His professional career reflects a rare blend of industrial and academic expertise, beginning with over a decade at Norsk Hydro, where he worked on petrochemical, fertilizer, oil and gas, and light metal processes. He enriched his knowledge through a sabbatical at Carnegie Mellon University before moving into academia, where he served as professor at Telemark Institute of Technology and later at NTNU, where he became a leading figure in process systems engineering. Beyond teaching and supervision, he coordinated major research programs such as BIGCCS and HighEFF, collaborated with MIT, and contributed to international energy initiatives, demonstrating his ability to lead both national and global research efforts.
Research Focus
Professor Gundersen’s research centers on process integration, thermodynamics, exergy analysis, and heat exchanger network synthesis, with an emphasis on improving energy efficiency in industrial systems. His pioneering work in pinch analysis has shaped global approaches to minimizing energy consumption, while his studies in low-temperature processes such as LNG liquefaction, air separation, and liquid air energy storage have advanced cleaner and more efficient technologies. Combining mathematical optimization with applied industrial problems, his work bridges fundamental science with sustainable engineering solutions of international relevance.
Awards and Honors
His achievements have been recognized through prestigious awards and honors, including the Fulbright Fellowship in Natural Science and election to the Norwegian Academy of Science and Technology. At NTNU, he received multiple Best Lecturer Awards, reflecting his ability to inspire students across disciplines such as thermodynamics and process integration. His research excellence has been acknowledged with Best Paper Awards at international conferences and leading journals, reinforcing his reputation as a scholar whose contributions are both academically rigorous and practically impactful.
Publication Top Notes
Title: Allam cycle-based integrated energy storage system for cross-sector decarbonization
Journal: Journal of Energy Storage
Summary: This article explores the integration of the Allam cycle into energy storage systems, emphasizing its potential to improve efficiency and support large-scale cross-sector decarbonization by combining carbon capture with flexible power generation.
Title: Improving Round Trip Efficiency (RTE) in liquid air energy storage by integration with external thermal energy sources
Journal: Computers and Chemical Engineering
Summary: The study focuses on enhancing the round trip efficiency of liquid air energy storage systems by utilizing external thermal energy sources, enabling more sustainable, flexible, and economically competitive storage solutions for the energy transition.
Title: Exergy efficiency improvement by compression heat recovery for an integrated natural gas liquefaction-CO2 capture-NGL recovery process
Journal: Applied Thermal Engineering
Summary: This paper analyzes how compression heat recovery can significantly improve the exergy efficiency of integrated processes combining natural gas liquefaction, carbon dioxide capture, and natural gas liquids recovery, offering insights for sustainable energy systems.
Title: Putting the costs and benefits of carbon capture and storage into perspective: a multi-sector to multi-product analysis
Journal: Progress in Energy
Summary: The article provides a comprehensive assessment of carbon capture and storage, comparing costs and benefits across multiple sectors and products to highlight economic, environmental, and societal implications for future large-scale deployment.
Title: High ethane content enables efficient CO2 capture from natural gas by cryogenic distillation
Journal: Separation and Purification Technology
Summary: This study demonstrates that natural gas streams with higher ethane content can improve the efficiency of cryogenic distillation processes for carbon dioxide capture, offering a technically robust and cost-effective pathway for cleaner gas utilization.
Conclusion
Through decades of leadership in research, teaching, and international collaboration, Professor Truls Gundersen has established himself as one of the foremost authorities in energy and process engineering. His pioneering contributions to process integration and thermodynamics have shaped modern approaches to industrial energy efficiency, while his mentorship has guided numerous doctoral candidates and inspired generations of engineers. With his blend of academic excellence, industrial relevance, and global engagement, he stands as a highly deserving candidate for recognition, embodying the values of innovation, impact, and dedication to a sustainable energy future.