Unlocking new potential with smart grids

Our energy supply is currently undergoing a transformation. Feeding increasing amounts of renewable energy into our power grid requires new management concepts, but at the same time offers enormous potential. Intelligently linking together distributed generators, storage systems and manageable loads in a smart grid enables them to interact in a swift, versatile manner. This leads to the introduction of renewable energy-based market concepts, cost savings through gains in efficiency on all process levels and new, innovative solutions for technical challenges. Peak loads in grids can be limited by managing distributed loads, storages and generation, meaning that existing grids can accept higher levels of renewable energy without the need for grid expansion. The demands and expectations placed on such grid management, and the quality of the information and communications technology (ICT) required are equally high.

Our vision is to facilitate sustainable, highly-efficient generation, distribution and use of combined electrical and thermal renewable energy sources.

Our goal is to drive forward R&D work which combines the three pillars of structural change in energy supply in one system.

• Incorporating modern ICT into the “Energy Internet”
• Integrating distributed renewable energy generators, storages and loads
• Enabling monitoring and smart plant management right up to end users in the distribution grid.

We have been combining experience and expertise in energy systems technology to support clients in industry and politics since research on smart energy grids first began. We offer a wide range of application-oriented research, development and consulting services.