Research Projects

To slow climate change, we need a shift away from fossil energy sources. However, the necessary expansion of renewable energies and the switch to electric cars pose challenges for the power grid: Solar and wind energy feed power into the grid very irregularly, while electricity energy demand is constant or increasing, especially in cities. Nevertheless, new flexible consumers, such as electric cars and heat pumps, can become the solution for the energy transition in interaction with fluctuating renewable generators - through intelligent grid control. | Duration: 09/2020 - 12/2023

Due to increased sector coupling loads in low voltage distribution are raising fastly, which results in a challenging grid reinforcement task. Precise grid modelling may at least avoid unnecessary grid expansion. Therefore, a realistic, spatially localized, time-series-based modeling of the low-voltage grid under the consideration of operational management is developed. | Duration: 01/2024 - 12/2026

The energy transformation and the accompanying electrification of the transport sector require increased interconnection of the energy systems. High availability in the grid is of great importance when integrating electric vehicles as intelligent consumers and storage devices into the energy industry. Within the scope of the »BiLawE« project, a bidirectional inductive charging system and its economic integration into the electricity grid are realized. New sensors for live object detection, efficient inductive energy transmission (up to 11 kW), and maintenance concepts address the increased requirements on integration into the (semi) public sectors. | Duration: 01/2016 - 06/2019

The energy, transport and heating transition represents a considerable challenge for the electricity grids. According to current planning guidelines, the increased use of heat pumps and electric vehicles would require a massive expansion of the distribution grids. This would result in high costs and could slow down the transition to a CO2-neutral society. Grid operation platforms can use smart metering systems (iMSys) and control boxes to record grid conditions and reduce grid loads through targeted control interventions, incentivized by variable grid charges. If the grid load can be reduced through targeted incentives, this must be taken into account in grid planning in order to minimize grid expansion. | Duration: 01/2025 - 12/2028

As the backbone of the German economy, medium-sized industrial manufacturing companies are particularly affected by the challenges of the energy transition, as they are simultaneously consumers, distribution network operators and, increasingly, producers. Many companies lack the necessary energy data, personnel and know-how to cope with these new technical and energy industry requirements. The aim of the project is therefore to develop digital solutions for the optimized operation of the energy infrastructure in medium-sized industrial companies. | Duration: 01/2024 - 12/2026

In this project, we are using a new residential development in Harsefeld to investigate how an agent-based district energy management system (Quartiers EMS) can control residents' decentralised systems in such a way that both the residents' wishes and the requirements of the surrounding energy system are taken into account. | Duration: 12/2023 - 11/2026

Project in the Business Area: Power Electronics, Grids and Smart Systems; Research Topic: Power Electronics and Grid Integration; Duration: 04/2023 - 03/2026

Concentrating solar collectors are a key technology for the heating transition. Studies show that they can also make a significant contribution to the heat supply in Germany as a cost-efficient replacement for fossil fuels. They deliver high yields at temperatures well above 100°C (Figure 1). Concentrating solar technologies open up a viable pillar for renewable heat supply in Germany. The ProSolNetz project contributes to the dissemination of knowledge about the diverse application possibilities of concentrating solar thermal energy, also in combination with other renewable energy technologies. Municipal and system planners are provided with tools that enable rapid market introduction. | Duration: 05/2024 - 04/2027

In the course of the energy transition, the share of power converter-based generation plants in the electricity grid is increasing rapidly, while at the same time conventional power plants are being taken off the grid. This poses new challenges for system stability, in particular due to the disconnection of conventional grid-forming plants and the reduction of the effective short-circuit ratio. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) roadmap for system stability stipulates that power converter-based systems must also contribute to grid stability in the future. In order to gain practical experience with GFMIs in real distribution grids at an early stage, the SUREVIVE project is conducting a field test with several decentralized GFMIs. The pilot systems will be connected at the HV/MV substation level, where the first grid-forming systems will be introduced via market-based procurement processes starting in 2025. Starting in 2027, comprehensive integration of grid-forming systems is also planned through the specification of minimum technical requirements. | Laufzeit: 01/2023 - 12/2026

Project in the Business Area Power Electronics, Grids and Smart Systems; Topic: Power Electronics; Duration: May 2011 - April 2014