Energy Systems

A climate-neutral energy system guaranteeing the security of supply to which we have been accustomed for decades poses major technological challenges. Achieving this requires, among other things, the integration of decentralized, renewable energies, the electrification of the heating and mobility sectors and the implementation of sector coupling (electricity, gas, heating and mobility).

These areas benefit from digitization as it enables cost-effective improvement or redesign of existing planning and operating processes as well as the development of novel business models for all stakeholders involved (e.g., grid operators, municipal utilities, industry, municipalities or households). The collection, utilization and exchange of a wide variety of data between the different actors as well as the creation of integrated data models also enables the application of novel data-driven methods to solve complex planning and operational issues. Additionally, the creation of international CO2 transparency from energy supply to industrial production or the introduction of modern market concepts require an end-to-end digitalized energy system.

We offer our partners from the private and public sectors:

Within this context the partner institutes at the Fraunhofer Center Digital Energy develop solutions for the digitalized energy system of tomorrow. This includes:

• Data-driven energy system planning: Development of novel data-driven tools for cross-sectoral planning of energy supply on various levels (e.g. municipal quarters) incl. customer-oriented visualization of data and results.
• Modular control systems: We support our partners in the implementation of modular control systems in critical energy supply infrastructures. Among other initiatives, our experts head the Linux Foundation project SOGNO - an open-source solution for plug-and-play capable network automation..
• Development of modern assistance systems: Using control room simulators, we develop innovative solutions for operating personnel as well as modern process and control technology.
• Resilience in grid operation: Action plans, methods and assistance systems for resilient operation of energy systems as well as islanding strategies for your infrastructures.
• Decentralized energy trading: Conceptual design of local energy markets and energy communities using distributed ledger technology for trading electrical energy between individual actors.
• CO2 transparency: development of concepts, digital technologies and services in order to create HTG-accountability in the energy system.

Our Distribution Grid Lab

These topics are researched in a large-scale laboratory environment, which is equipped with the latest computer technologies, physical operating equipment and its related process and control technology. The direct link between ICT and the energy system enables application-oriented research, development and transfer of innovative operation management concepts, communication technologies and market concepts for future energy supply systems.