Energy in transition
The transition of the energy system to renewable, greenhouse gas-neutral technologies is a key social and technological challenge. Climate change, rising energy demand, and political expansion targets are shaping the requirements for future energy supply systems.
Dynamics as the key to energy conversion
Renewable energy sources are volatile and place high demands on flexibility and response speed. The secure integration of fluctuating generation requires dynamic energy conversion processes, high-performance storage systems, and intelligent coupling of generation, conversion, and use.
Research at DEW
Research at DEW addresses these challenges along the entire energy conversion chain. The focus is on dynamic, efficient, and sustainable systems—from modeling and simulation to experimental investigations and new technologies such as hydrogen and synthetic energy sources.
The research covers five areas of research
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I. Chemical-thermal energy conversion
Partial load operation, high load gradients, and an increasing number of load changes place new demands on the design and operation of modern combustion systems.
Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Friedrich Dinkelacker, various aspects of the dynamics of chemical-thermal energy conversion are being investigated, including gas combustion at low load and high hydrogen content in gas turbines, and the use of gas engines for flexible, decentralized energy supply.
Other research focuses include auxiliary combustion in the steam cycle of thermal power plants to provide control and second reserve power, and the analysis of thermal inertia effects of power plant components.
With the increasing use of sustainably produced hydrogen, the focus is shifting more and more to hydrogen-compatible combustion technologies. In addition to pure hydrogen systems, synthetic, greenhouse gas-neutral eFuels such as synthetic methane, methanol, or kerosene-like fuels are also being investigated, which serve as chemical energy storage and enable CO2-neutral use of existing infrastructure.
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II. Thermal-mechanical energy conversion
Gas and steam turbines as well as compressors are generally designed for operation close to full load and exhibit significant efficiency losses during partial load and transient operation.
However, future power plant requirements demand high efficiency and operational reliability even outside the design point. Under the direction of Prof. Dr.-Ing Jörg Seume, key issues in thermal-mechanical energy conversion are therefore being investigated.
The focus is on three-dimensional flow phenomena at low load, increasing the partial load capacity of turbomachinery, transient aeroelastic effects, and thermomechanical stresses and fatigue phenomena during dynamic operation.
A complementary research focus is on the investigation of aircraft engines. Their high dynamic requirements are closely related to stationary energy conversion systems and provide important insights for their further development.
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III. Mechanical-electrical energy conversion
Electrical machines are central electromechanical energy converters that convert either electrical energy into mechanical energy or mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Mechanical-electrical energy conversion is characterized by pronounced nonlinear behavior. Upper field effects and asymmetries in voltages and currents lead to torque pulsations in electrical machines.
When coupled with thermal-mechanical energy converters, these torque fluctuations can be transmitted to turbine or compressor blades. The resulting vibrations can cause additional stress and even material damage.
Under the direction of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Ponick, these coupling effects are being systematically analyzed. The aim is to develop solutions for mechanical-electrical stabilization, including the use of power electronics, drive controls, and battery storage systems.
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IV. Dynamic coupling of energy conversion processes
Making energy conversion more flexible and diverse requires the intelligent coupling of large and small, centralized and decentralized energy systems as well as different energy sources.
The interactions between electricity and gas grids, energy storage systems, and consumers play a central role in this. Comprehensive cross-system modeling is necessary to make these complex systems manageable.
Under the direction of Prof. Dr.-Ing. i.R. Roland Scharf, models are being developed that enable the efficient combination of existing and future technologies.
The research covers the flexibilization of thermal power plant processes, the stability of electrical supply networks, the convergence of gas and electricity infrastructures, and the economic evaluation of energy conversion and storage options. Another focus is on the identification and definition of suitable technical and systemic interfaces.
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V. Energy markets
A successful energy transition requires not only technological innovations but also their economic integration into existing and future energy markets.
Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Michael H. Breitner, the economic integration of technical energy conversion systems into an increasingly volatile energy industry is being investigated.
The focus is on pricing mechanisms, the deployment and operational planning of power plants and storage facilities, and the development of new business models for a renewable energy supply.
