Project Leader: Prof . Gerd Heilscher
Project Duration: November15 , 2024 – November 15, 2025
Funding Agency: ESA - European Space Agency
Project description:
The research work includes the development of an EO-based Digital Twin Component (DTC) as an advanced digital replica of a key component of the Earth system and the interactions with human activities and ecosystems, with a strong focus on valorizing the role of Earth Observation capabilities. Two use cases are developed and demonstrated in the project:
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher
Project duration: 31.12.2024 - 31.10.2026
Funded by: Federal Government - BMWK
Program name: 7th Energy Research Program: Innovations for the energy transition
Project description:
The aim of the project is to investigate and evaluate current models for the provision of solar radiation data and forecasts. These data and forecasts are needed to support the grid integration of high solar energy shares and to contribute to the long-term yield security of solar power plants. Due to increasing solar energy shares, changing photovoltaic (PV) technology and advancing climate change, resource analysis must also be further developed accordingly. The focus is on new PV technologies (e.g. bifacial PV, floating PV and agrivoltaics), changing typical climate conditions, extreme weather events and forecast accuracy.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher
Project duration: 01.07.2022 - 30.06.2025
Funded by: Federal Government - BMWK
Programme name: 7th Energy Research Programme: Digitization of the Energy Transition
Project description:
eMpowerSYS stands for the ability of the smart metering system to map added value and is aimed at sector coupling on the customer side, i.e. the electrification required to meet climate targets in the heating and mobility sectors. The project supports the development of a secure digital infrastructure in order to meet the grid-side challenges of the ongoing energy and transport transition and to support the efficient utilization of existing distribution grids.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher
Project duration: 01.09.2022 - 31.08.2025
Project description:
The project aims to research solutions for transforming the subsystems involved in the (IT) system of the distribution grid into an intelligent electricity grid (smart grid). As part of the work, the results of various THU research projects in the field of digitization, automation and standardization of (IT) systems for the operation of the distribution grid are brought together and should provide an innovative basis for the grid and grid operation of the future.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher
Project duration: 01.03.2023 - 31.08.2025
Funded by: Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft mbH (FFG)
Project description:
The overall objective of the Accu4Vehicle&Grid project is an innovative accumulator infrastructure system that implements methods for a high penetration of the distribution grid (medium and low voltage level) with commercial electric vehicles and specifically targets the municipal sector to meet these challenges.
The communication technology connection between the local applications and the distribution grid control room is carried out at THU. A detailed comparison of different internationally standardized data models for communication with decentralized energy systems (IEC61850, IEEE 2030.5) in smart grids is currently being developed.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher
Project duration: 01.10.2023 - 30.09.2026
Funded by: Federal Government - BMWK
Programme name: 7th Energy Research Programme: Digitalization of the Energy Transition
Project description:
New renewable generation volumes are needed to achieve the climate targets. A smart metering system (iMSys) can be used to securely connect systems via information technology and control them for grid integration and marketing. To date, this has been possible for smaller generation plants. The MeGA project is developing and testing a concept for integrating large-scale generation plants into the measurement and bidirectional communication of the smart meter gateway.
THU's focus is on designing and testing the applications developed in the project in the smart grid laboratory and the THU simulation environment at the information, communication and functional level. To this end, a virtualized simulation environment will be set up in THU's smart grid laboratory, which will enable the implementation and testing of applications and components of the smart meter infrastructure. THU will also provide academic support in clarifying requirements and specifying the system implementation. In addition, the new developments planned in the MeGA project can be tested and validated using the simulation environment that has been set up. In particular, a virtualization concept is being developed and tested for the CLS control system in combination with the SMGW, which takes into account the scalability of the generation units based on the use of international norms and standards (e.g. IEC 61850, SunSpec, IEEE2030.5). THU can draw on existing solutions and broad experience in the integration of smart meter infrastructure, SMGW, CLS control box, CLS backend and integration into distribution grid control technology.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher
Project duration: 01.07.2023 - 30.06.2026
Funded by: Federal Government - BMWK
Program name: Measures for the further development of electromobility, funding guideline - ElektroMobil
Project description:
The focus of InterBDL is on interoperability and open standards at the respective interfaces in order to integrate the future use cases for bidirectional charging into the existing energy supply system in a technically, economically and regulatory sense. Field tests and the results of economic, regulatory and socio-cultural analyses will be translated into recommendations for action for stakeholders in politics, regulation, standardization and standardization, industry and research in both the automotive and energy sectors.
The core objectives of the project are: (1) the compatibility of grid-supportive and market-oriented charging and recharging with regard to the targeted business models for the integration of decentralized flexibility, (2) the consideration of the entire active chain in its individual elements and enablement testing of all interfaces for the feasibility of bidirectional charging, (3) the comprehensive technical implementation of the active chain.
Further information on the project
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher
Project duration: 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2025
Funded by: Federal Government - BMWK
Program name: 7th Energy Research Program
Project description:
The aim of the CACTUS project is to optimize grid utilization management and energy use in the distribution grid by leveraging flexibility potential using the example of charging clusters and districts. The core element is incentives in the form of (virtual) price signals that are automatically made available to decentralized automated systems. On the one hand, this allows electricity to be purchased more cheaply, and on the other hand, using charging clusters as an example, it is possible to release higher connected loads without expanding the grid. Through targeted communication (Connect), grid operators are supported (Assist), firstly to check and confirm the possible approval of additional systems, taking into account their flexibility in the grid, and secondly to visualize predicted grid bottlenecks and resolve them with suitable (virtual) price signals (Control).
An Assist & Control algorithm is being developed for implementation. Furthermore, interfaces for energy management (EMS) of decentralized systems (districts, charging parks) with controllable supply or feed-in power are being developed and used. In the case of charging parks, timetables or route deployment planning of fleet operators can be included in the management of flexibility. The results of these developments will be implemented at the participating municipal utilities and evaluated in field tests.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher
Project duration: 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2025
Funded by: DFG
Program name: Large-scale equipment campaign for universities of applied sciences 2022 (GGA-HAW 2022)
Project description:
The planned investments in the expansion of THU's Smart Grid Laboratory into a multi-level test environment for smart grid systems are aimed at the development and step-by-step testing of the smart grid infrastructure for the basic construction of cellular structures of a decentralized energy system. In the future, extensive data from the smart meter infrastructure will be available for setting up operational management in the low voltage
In addition to setting up the multi-level test environment, the scientific project team member is also involved in developing concepts for data processing and operational management. The complex laboratory setups require in-depth knowledge and expertise in the operation of IT systems and energy informatics.
The multi-layered, multi-level test environment is essentially being set up by the scientific project office and is based on three complementary levels:
- The expansion of the simulation level includes the construction of a high-performance computing node for the simultaneous analysis of the electrical behavior and the communication and interaction of the components for the realistic evaluation of decentralized algorithms.
- The expansion of the laboratory level includes the investment in a Smart Grid Operation Center and the expansion of the measurement systems. The laboratory level will increase the maturity level of smart grid components for use in cellular systems.
- The field test represents the third level of the multi-level test environment. On the THU campus, the energy system will be expanded to include a micro-grid controller with black start capability and test systems for bidirectional charging of electric vehicles will be integrated. In the Hittistetten smart grid test area, cellular communication based on the 450 MHz network is being expanded and tested with the smart meter infrastructure in three local networks.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher
Project duration: 01.07.2022 - 30.06.2025
Funded by: BMI
Project description:
The (fast) charging of electric vehicles leads to a significant change in the load profiles of households. The electricity grids are not designed for extreme load situations (e.g. charging many vehicles at the end of the working day). In addition, electricity grid operators usually have no information about the private charging points in their grid. The solution currently envisaged by the grid operators is an expensive expansion of the electricity grids. GetMyWallboxNOW therefore wants to combine e-mobility with flexible charging power and thus develop an alternative way in which many people have equal access to charging power, but this is distributed intelligently among the users.
As part of the project, THU is developing a service for evaluating the available charging capacity for each house connection in combination with information on the solar roof potential for regenerative charging of electric vehicles. In addition, the control of the charging power with the smart meter gateway is also explained for users. The results also form a basis for implementing the requirements of the Federal Network Agency for grid security measures in accordance with EnWG §14a.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher
Project duration: 30.07.2024 - 31.01.2025
Funded by: EU
Program name: EU-ERIGrid 2.0 - Lab Access
Project description:
The project enables a test campaign to be carried out in the inverter laboratory of a project partner. A communication link for controlling an inverter and an electric car charging station will be tested, using real components of the smart meter infrastructure. The research project can be used to implement improvements to test automation, evaluation, documentation and the applications used.
Project manager: Prof. Dr. oec. Dietmar Graeber
Project duration: 01.05.2022 - 30.04.2025
Funding provider: Federal Government - BMWK
Program name: ERA-Net Joint Call 2020 ("MICall20")
Project description:
The aim of this project is to develop new digital solutions aimed at the interoperability of flexibility platforms based on different ICT, economic or procedural measures. To derive these solutions, a unique use case of cross-border and cross-platform coordination of flexibility for redispatch, balancing energy and within-day markets will be analyzed and tested. The digital solutions will be used in a field test for technical evaluation. Possible welfare gains through platform interoperability and standardization will be measured using market and grid simulations.
Project manager: Prof. Dr. oec. Dietmar Graeber
Project duration: 01.01.2022 - 30.06.2024
Funding provider: State - UM
Program name: Zukunftsprogramm Wasserstoff BW
Project description:
In order to keep the construction of new electricity transmission grids to a minimum as part of the energy transition, existing extra-high voltage lines should be utilized to a greater extent than before wherever possible. However, grid boosters based on large battery storage systems lead to extreme costs, large space requirements and a high consumption of scarce resources, especially with high storage capacity. The project is developing an innovative concept for a hydrogen hybrid grid booster. Here, a comparatively small battery storage unit is to be supplemented by a large hydrogen storage unit. A small-scale demonstrator of a hydrogen hybrid grid booster will be constructed and tested in detail. In particular, the integrated control of the complex interaction of all components of a hydrogen hybrid grid booster requires research effort. The aim of the project is a functioning prototype with simulation models that describe the overall functionality and serve as a basis for further developments.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher
Project duration: 01.10.2020 - 30.09.2024
Funded by: EU - Horizon 2020/FP8
Program name: EU Horizon 2020
Project description:
SERENDI-PV aims at innovations towards increasing the lifetime, reliability, performance and profitability of PV generation as well as a user-friendly and comprehensive integration of photovoltaics into the grids. The focus here is on improving grid stability and intelligent communication within the grid. This involves setting up a monitoring system for the data in the grid, developing a quality control system and designing methods for assessing the reliability of components and subsystems.
The innovations are being developed in particular with regard to new photovoltaic applications such as bifacial PV, floating PV and BIPV. The aim is to create a collaborative platform for modeling, data analytics, quality control, databases and grid integration. The solutions will be developed and evaluated based on data from almost 500,000 PV systems monitored within the consortium, representing a wide range of system sizes and types.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
Project duration: 01.05.2019 - 30.04.2023
Funding provider: Federal Government - BMWi
Program name: 7th Energy Research Program: Innovations for the energy transition
Project description:
A sustainable energy supply system with a high proportion of solar energy is strongly characterized by the weather-dependent variability of generation on different spatial and temporal scales. With the steadily increasing share of solar energy in the national and global energy supply, the topic of system integration and its optimization is therefore becoming more and more important in addition to the necessary technological improvements. Ultimately, the success of the energy transition is also largely dependent on the successful integration of fluctuating solar generation into the electricity grids and the corresponding energy markets. The reliable characterization and forecasting of fluctuating solar resources is a necessary basis for this.
Solar power forecasts form the basis for the optimized use of energy management options such as the provision of balancing energy and storage as well as for optimized electricity trading processes. They are therefore essential for the economically and ecologically effective system integration of PV electricity. Furthermore, reliable, long-term solar radiation data is necessary in order to reduce the entrepreneurial risk for large solar power plants with high investment costs and to increase the willingness to invest. Against the background of the resulting rapid development of the research landscape in the areas of "solar resources and forecasts", there is a great need for transparent assessments of these new developments. Guidelines and standards are needed as a basis for targeted model development on the one hand and the effective use of suitable data sets on the other.
This need is addressed in the SOLREV project. The overall objective of the project is the evaluation, investigation and optimization of models and data sets for the prediction and characterization of solar generation for various applications. Guidelines and recommendations ("best practices") as well as new standards will be developed on the basis of the scientific analyses. The topic of "Solar resources and predictions" is also addressed in the IEA PVPS Task 16 "Solar resource for high penetration and large scale applications" with approx. 50 partners from 17 countries. The project applied for here is intended to enable German participation in IEA PVPS Task 16 with the management of two subtasks.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher
Project duration: 1.7.2019 - 30.11.2022
Funded by: Federal Government - BMWi
Program name: Photovoltaic Power System Technology Collaboration Programme
Project description:
The Photovoltaic Power Systems Technology Collaboration Programme (PVPS) is a platform within the International Energy Agency (IEA) for improving international research and development cooperation in the field of harnessing photovoltaic energy and integrating it into electrical grids. Seven international project groups (known as tasks) are currently working within the PVPS on various key topics.
Task 14 "Solar PV in the 100% RES Power System" deals with issues relating to the integration of large amounts of photovoltaics into the electrical energy supply. Task 14 was founded in 2010 and currently comprises 17 participating countries, represented by national experts. The aim of Task 14 is to promote the international exchange of research and industry in the field of grid integration of photovoltaics, to identify proven methods for the grid integration of photovoltaics and thus to focus the respective national research and development more efficiently on key issues.
Project manager: Prof. Dr. oec. Dietmar Graeber
Project duration: 01.11.2020 - 31.10.2022
Funding provider: State - MWK
Program name: MWK / HAW - Innovative Projects / Cooperation Projects
Project description:
As a result of the energy transition, decentralized renewable power generation plants are also becoming increasingly important in the provision of balancing power.
While biomass plants are firmly established on the balancing power market and the first successful applications have already been completed for wind power plants, photovoltaic systems (PV systems) do not play a significant role there. This is due to the lack of cost-effective technical solutions for controlling the usually very small systems as well as regulatory hurdles. Together, these two factors mean that today more than 99% of PV systems are de facto excluded from the balancing energy market. However, as it is soon to be expected that PV systems will completely cover the demand for electricity at certain times, their participation in the balancing energy market is essential in order to be able to operate the electricity grid stably in the future.
The aim of this joint project between Ulm University of Applied Sciences, TransnetBW GmbH and Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm Netze GmbH is to develop a solution that will enable the majority of all PV systems to participate in the balancing energy market. On the technical side, the planned solution will be based on the smart meter infrastructure, which will be mandatory for many PV systems in the future anyway. The basis for this is a CLS/control box developed through extensive preliminary work in other research projects, which will be expanded to include an interface for communication with a large number of common PV system types and thus provide the technical basis for implementing the functions for the provision of the three different types of balancing power. Regulatory hurdles for small PV systems will be removed by developing a
procedure that enables participation in the balancing energy market without mandatory direct marketing. Following an extensive laboratory test, a final demonstration of the use of several small PV systems to provide balancing power under real conditions will be carried out.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher, Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP
Project duration: 1.4.2019 - 31.3.2021
Funded by: Federal Government - BMWi
Program name: WIPANO
Project description:
The accumulation of dust and other impurities on the surfaces of photovoltaic modules or solar thermal mirrors can lead to significant yield losses. Accordingly, the glass surfaces are usually cleaned, even on a daily basis in particularly affected areas. Regular cleaning results in high mechanical loads on the glass surfaces, which nowadays are usually provided with anti-reflective coatings. Damage to these coatings through cleaning leads to significant, irreversible yield losses, which pose major financial risks for system operators, investors and system manufacturers.
The aim of the project is to develop a standard with which the surfaces of solar energy systems can be tested for their resistance to real cleaning loads in Europe and desert regions. In addition, the method should also be able to evaluate the damage potential of user-specific cleaning parameters and materials. Such a test method and correspondingly designed test device do not yet exist.
To support the standard, existing cleaning resistance tests of other application examples and open-field cleaning tests in Europe and desert regions are carried out on glass coatings typical of the market. Based on the results of the laboratory and outdoor tests, the requirements for realistic cleaning tests will be defined and a practicable test procedure and suitable test equipment will be developed. These will be optimized as part of the project and verified by comparing degradation rates and microscopic damage patterns with the open-field tests. As part of the project, a DIN SPEC will be created in English and used as the basis for the creation of an international ISO/IEC standard.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher
Project duration: 01.01.2017 - 30.06.2021
Funded by: Federal Government - BMWi
Program name: BMWi - SINTEG - Schaufenster Energiewende
Project description:
C/sells is based on the idea of intelligently connecting diverse infrastructure cells to form an organism in which economic opportunities are aligned with physical necessities and the will for a sustainable economy across borders. In a "solar arc" stretching from Bavaria and Hesse to Baden-Württemberg, mass-produced model solutions for primarily solar energy generation are to lead to a robust, shared energy infrastructure. As part of the Digital Agenda, practical solutions for the energy transition in southern Germany are being developed, demonstrated, networked and harmonized in order to be able to market a sustainable energy supply in the near future.
C/sells is being carried out as a large-scale decentralized project in a consortium of 58 partners and is developing and analysing not only technical components of smart energy grids but also the organizational, legal and economic framework conditions. Concrete implementation is being tested in 35 demonstration cells and social involvement in nine so-called participation cells.
Project managers: Prof. Gerd Heilscher, Christoph Kondzialka
Project duration: 15.11.2020 - 31.12.2021
Funded by: State - Ministry of the Environment Baden-Württemberg
Program name: BW INPUT2
Project description:
The THU energy campus is being used for research purposes and further expanded. This project focuses on the integration of solar charging stations into the overall system. There is a particular need for research in the areas of digitalization in the distribution grid, building energy management, ensuring the grid serviceability of districts and adapting regulation to a decentrally organized renewable energy system. For this reason, digital twins are being developed as part of the project to ensure reliable and secure communication within the energy systems in the building and its surroundings, on the basis of which innovative control algorithms are to be developed.
Smart building energy management will be set up to include all load types and operational management will be optimized using local forecasts. There are also plans to incorporate intelligent, AI-based user behavior for system control. Furthermore, the communication infrastructure of the measurement and control technology is to be supplemented by an innovative smart meter infrastructure, thereby opening up new operating possibilities.
In terms of energy economics, the research question of how storage flexibility can be used efficiently through a combination of multi-use storage systems is being investigated. The focus is also on the further development of the corresponding regulatory framework, such as regulations for the privileging of storage electricity and requirements for metering concepts
Project managers: Prof. Gerd Heilscher, Falko Ebe
Project duration: 01.11.2018 - 30.06.2021
Funded by: State - Ministry of the Environment Baden-Württemberg
Program name: Smart Grids and Storage - Ministry of the Environment BW
Project description:
Together with the University of Tübingen and the Ulm Fuel Cell Training Centre, solutions are being sought for secure and decentralized communication in a new energy world. Through the digitalization of the energy transition, small-scale and individual products can be created for end customers with and without photovoltaic systems. In order to meet the resulting higher requirements for availability and integrity, the possibilities of blockchain technology for these new use cases are being investigated. The developed solution will then be demonstrated in a joint laboratory setup at the project partners' three locations.
The project will map a secure information and communication structure for a decentralized energy system based on prosumers that use and operate a variety of energy systems, such as PV systems, controllable loads, battery storage and e-charging infrastructure. The smart grid infrastructure with smart meter gateways and controllable local systems (CLS control boxes) provides the basis for this intelligent and distributed energy system. The direct information flows between the components are realized by blockchain/tangle technology, which ensures the integrity of the data packets between the individual components through cryptographic encryption. The integration of Internet of Things technologies such as tangles should lead to increased prosumer trust in new technologies and payment systems and offers the opportunity to flexibly design the disclosed information content of the data packets.
Project leader: Università di Cagliari, Prof. Fabrizio Pilo
Project duration: 1.9.2018 - 31.8.2021
Project description:
The MOST project aims to develop an innovative and targeted master's program in smart grid technologies to train the smart grid professionals of the future. The Master's program will be offered at a number of leading universities across Europe.
Thanks to the development of smart grids, renewable energy and lower costs for installing renewable energy capacity, conditions are now particularly suitable and affordable for the industry's transition to decentralized energy generation. Smart grids are enabling a new era of sustainable energy. However, to realize the full potential of this new and ever-evolving technology, well-trained experts need to be educated.
The current education system in Europe lacks the employability of PhDs, who play an important role in the deployment of smart grid infrastructure for clean energy. Aligning science with the labor market is necessary to provide students with both theoretical and practical, application-oriented skills that are directly applicable in the work environment. Our project takes on this responsibility by designing a master's program in smart grid technologies that covers not only the fundamentals of smart grid operations, but also all aspects of smart grid integration. These range from energy market and policy and smart grid models to advanced technologies in the energy sector. As a result of the project, the Master's degree will be offered at three European universities - the University of Cagliari in Sardinia, the University of Cyprus and the University of Applied Sciences of Western Macedonia in Greece.
Project managers: Prof. Gerd Heilscher, Christoph Kondzialka
Project duration: 01.07.2019 - 30.06.2021
Funding provider: State - Ministry of the Environment Baden-Württemberg
Program name: BWPlus / INPUT
Project description:
The aim of the joint project "controlled charging cells" is to create a blueprint for the intelligent grid connection of multi-storey parking lots, (company) parking lots and underground car parks (PPT). This will develop and demonstrate the basis for cost-efficient grid integration of the e-charging infrastructure in distribution grids. The "controlled charging cell" project combines the following components into an overall system: Optimal use of existing grid connections through load management in PPT, grid status recording to monitor the utilization of the local grids (charging cells), dynamic load management in PPT based on the grid status in the charging cell, securing communication via smart meter infrastructure, adaptation of parking guidance management for user guidance. In the Congress Centrum Nord parking garage in Ulm, the two project partners Ulm Parkbetriebs GmbH (PBG) and Ulm University of Applied Sciences (HSU), together with Stadtwerke Ulm and the companies Citysens, Schleupen and Venios, will develop and implement a scalable controlled charging management system for electric vehicles with load management for long-term and short-term parkers. Key innovations of the project are the demonstration of secure control via the smart meter infrastructure (iMSys with CLS) in cooperation with the distribution grid operator. The controlled charging cell dynamically utilizes the maximum charging power in relation to the grid connection and grid status. Ulm University of Applied Sciences is working with the partners on the system design for controlled charging, the evaluation of the function and quality of the grid status recording and the integration into the smart meter infrastructure. The results of the "controlled charging cells" project will be used in the new underground parking garage at Ulm Central Station and other PBG parking garages in Ulm.
Project manager: Prof. Gerd Heilscher, Basem Idlbi
Project duration: 1.6.2017 - 31.5.2019
Project description:
In view of the increasing focus on the possibility of storing solar power for personal use, this project aims to "take a close look" at battery storage systems. Ulm's citizens should be able to take responsibility for deciding which framework conditions would be necessary to make a district storage system attractive and sensible. In close cooperation with the city of Ulm and Ulm's municipal utilities, we want to analyze our previous experience with more advanced models such as cloud storage and blockchain technology and put them to the test in order to prepare an overall concept for use in a new development area.