Energy systems

As the penetration of renewable energy from wind and solar power plants increases in our power supply, it is becoming more difficult to regulate energy systems. Weather-dependent production is a major challenge here. Grid level storage devices and flexible loads such as boilers, or heat pumps can help maintain the balance, as can electric vehicles; however, the energy consumption of these flexible components should be adapted without affecting the user’s wellbeing. At the same time, coordination is needed across all network levels – from the household, to the local distribution network and to the transmission networks. In terms of automation, this means processing data from numerous, distributed generators, consumers and storage units, and developing and implementing coordinated control strategies for each individual system component.

We establish the scientific basis and develop solutions to fully automate energy systems, from the individual household through to the grid control centre. Starting in 2025, we aim to set up a moon-shot project with a fully automated energy network in a municipality, or neighbourhood in Switzerland and to test it under real-life conditions.