In order to achieve our main objective, which is the determination of a future optimized energy supply system, it requires the simultaneous consideration of some important aspects such as: generation, transmission and storage of electrical energy. Each of the above named sub-areas represents in its own an independent research area, which makes the modeling and simulation of the overall system a very hard and complex problem. That is why in order to process all of the above questions, it is necessary to include experts from several different disciplines of communication between them.
The Institute of Power Systems and Power Economics (IAEW) and the Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA) of the Technical University of Aachen (RWTH) have many years of experience and gathered knowledge in the technical and in the economic evaluation of electrical storage systems, electricity power grids and in power generation. Besides the scientific work and the training and formation of young scientists, both institutes employ also as adviser for different industrial companies and for some federal subordinate agencies (e.g. Federal Network Agency) of the German Ministries, in the fields of electrical networks, energy storage and electrical vehicles.
Institute: IAEW
The Institute of Power Systems and Power Economics (IAEW) belongs to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology of the RWTH Aachen University. The institute headed by Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. A. Moser works actively in the area of simulation, optimization and evaluation of the technical and economic expansion of power systems. Also, the institute is in particular interested in the electric power generation, transmission and distribution, with its priorities in the research and teaching field.
Through several completed and ongoing Diploma, Bachelor and Master Theses of its own employees, the institute has gained in the course of the years a general recognition in the energy industry and expertise in the analysis, evaluation and integration of distributed and renewable energy systems in electricity supply systems. Profit maximization, supply quality and environmental care are at the same time key targets and constraints of the analyses the IAEW does.
The investigation and development of current and future energy supply concepts requires many mathematical models of the main components (such as inclusion of heating and pumped storage power plants, wind turbines, fuel cells, electricity and gas heating networks, power exchange and congestion auction) and their interaction in the system. The tools developed at IAEW used for the assessment, planning of transmission and distribution networks, consider not only the conventional technique, but also the benefits of a targeted integration of “smart” technology and the additional potential of superimposed HVDC network structure to the existing transmission grid.
Institute: ISEA
The Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems group at the Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA) at RWTH Aachen University has been working and researching for more than 40 years following research areas: power electronics, power electronics devices, electrical drives, electrochemical energy conversion and storage system technology. In addition to publicly funded research projects the institute focuses also its work, in the areas listed above, in other research and development activities, mostly in close cooperation with national and international companies.
The research group has an extensive expertise not only in the development and evaluation of storage systems, but also in the modeling of energy supply systems. The group Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems is, with more than 40 scientists and engineers, with more than 50 students, the largest university research group in Germany in storage technology.
Professor Sauer is a member of the scientific council of the European Academy Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler and he is developing a comprehensive book about saving in power supply systems with a high share of renewable energy in an interdisciplinary working group. Prof. Sauer is also scientific director of the international conference series “International Renewable Energy Conference (IRES)”, which will be organized this year for its 8th time, and it brings together more than 600 scientists and experts from around the world. Over and above that, the staff members of the research group also participate regularly in meetings, workshops, hearings and in preparations of studies on energy storage and its integration into power systems with high shares of renewable energies.
It is particularly significant to name the VDE study “Energy storage in power supply systems with a high share of renewable energy sources – meaning, technology state and action requirement,” which has been substantially co-written by Prof. Sauer. Currently, the group is working on the project “Scientific support for the further development and implementation of the energy strategy of the federal government”. This project is led by the “Öko-Institut” on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
