Current Research Projects

Optimized operational management for combined heat and power plants

With the rise of renewable energies, the importance of combined heat and power (CHP) plants to support the transition in energy policy is increasing. As controllable energy producers, they are able to optimally compensate for the highly fluctuating renewable energies due to their high flexibility. The research focuses on the optimal operation of CHP plants. A hybrid operation alternating between heat and current-guided operation ensures economically optimal operation and, in addition, the release of flexibilities that are beneficial for the grid. In this context, the innovative hybrid operation of CHP plants is researched, evaluated and experimentally tested. Plan4BHKW’s goal is to develop operational management strategies for CHP plants that are cost-efficient and beneficial for the electrical grid.

Project partners: 

COMUNA-metall GmbH, Stadtwerke Bad Salzuflen GmbH

Project funding:

REACT-EU, “Innovation Umweltwirtschaft.NRW” call for projects

To support local grid stability, the complex system requires the use of AI to estimate the current grid state, to predict electricity generation from renewable energy sources and to support grid system services that use battery charging and discharging. A complex system in which the components of a future power grid are interconnected is susceptible to faults, especially if the components are controlled in a central location. In order for AI to work safely, a distributed AI approach is being investigated. This distributed AI approach uses cognitive edge computing for efficient control, to reduce resources and to increase data security. The principle is to run applications as close as possible to the data sources. AI4DG’s goal is to research and develop a decentralized AI platform for a safe and autonomous control of the distribution grid with a high proportion of renewable energies.

Project partners: 

Germany: Bielefeld University, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Westfalen Weser Netz GmbH

France: Université Grenoble Alpes, Atos Worldgrid

Project funding:

German-French cooperation, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

VR grid control centre for training operational management of real electrical grids

As digitisation continues to progress in business and society, it is also advancing in teaching and learning units of universities and universities of applied sciences. This project uses virtual reality (VR) to create an immersive environment of a control centre for electrical grids. The control centre is set up as a virtual space, providing students with a realistic environment in which they can try out the study contents they have acquired on the topic of electrical grids and energy supply/smart grids in various practical trainings. Real grids of local grid operators that support the planned project can be displayed as digital models and integrated into the virtual grid control centre. 

Project funding: 
Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (DH.NRW)

Using artificial intelligence and µPMUs to investigate charge control of private electric vehicles adjusted to renewable energies.

The increase in renewable energy systems and electric vehicles causes the operation of grids to become increasingly complex. Intelligent grids can help to meet this challenge. This project uses artificial intelligence and µPMUs to investigate charge control of private electric vehicles adjusted to renewable energies. For this purpose, an AI-based system for autonomous control of intelligent cellular grids is developed and validated. The aim is to increase the observability and automation of the control of decentralized energy systems, controllable loads, electric vehicle charges and energy storage at low and medium voltage levels.

Project partners: 
Bielefeld University, Westaflexwerk GmbH

Project funding: 
OP EFRE.NRW, IKT lead market competition

Further development of the charging management system researched in Fit2Load to make electrified company car fleets more beneficial for the electrical grid. Development of a “multiple socket” for charging stations.

The Power2Load project is a follow-up project to Fit2Load, in which the charging management system researched in Fit2Load is being further developed. In addition, a “multiple socket” for charging stations is being developed, which offers a cost-efficient way to expand charging points for electric vehicles by a factor of up to 8 in the case of existing or new charging infrastructures. This is made possible by the development of a charging management system with intelligent automatic switching and is tested under real conditions. The goal is to directly and indirectly make major savings in CO2 emissions, especially when favouring renewable energy generation facilities for charging and optimizing the life cycle of charging stations.

Project partners: 
Westaflexwerk GmbH, Archimedes Technik GmbH

Project funding: 
OP EFRE.NRW, “EnergieSystemWandel.NRW” climate protection competition