Completed 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

Reducing CO2 emissions by increasing the share of renewable energy in the charging capacity of an electrified company car fleet. 

More and more companies possess or are planning to purchase renewable energy generation facilities and an electrified fleet. This makes it possible to develop a holistic and long-term mobility concept for companies by optimally linking the fleet, the charging infrastructure and the energy system with an intelligent charging management system. The fleet is intended to be integrated into the existing local power distribution grid in an intelligent, emission-free and economically sustainable manner. The focus is on grid compatibility and cost reduction.

Project partners: 
Archimedes Technik GmbH (project management), Lechtermann-Pollmeier Bäckereien GmbH & Co. KG, Westaflexwerk GmbH

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

Optimized use of fuel cell heating systems in the smart grid. 

An observer-based control system is developed using a simulation of a fuel cell CHP plant based on LT-PEM to ensure optimum use of fuel cell CHP plants in the smart grid. A real system is used to determine the operating parameters and to verify the simulation results.

Project participation: 
inhouse engineering GmbH

Project funding: 
Bielefeld UAS’s own research fund

Use of electric vehicles at DRK Soziale Dienste. 

Many companies want to electrify their vehicle fleet, but are deterred by the costs. The aim of this project is to minimise costs for the electrification of vehicle fleets. We developed a driving model to carry out a long-term assessment of the storage capacity, taking into account route planning. The focus is on the effect of opportunity charges on the driving range of the electric vehicles under consideration, as well as the wear and tear of the batteries.

Project participation: 
DRK Soziale Dienste OWL, Bielefeld University, Paderborn University, Stadtwerke Bielefeld, Transporter Store, small energies engineering office

Project funding: 
ElektroMobil.NRW 2010