Analysis and synthesis of decentralized energy systems

The aim of simulating decentralized energy systems is to enable fast and efficient statements about the load on, and the energy and cost efficiency of, components subject to time-dependent environmental influences and user behaviour.

The object-oriented approach to simulation has proved to be an effective way to create a complex system model comprised of individual objects such as solar arrays, energy storage systems, combined heat and power generation plants etc., the functionalities of which are generally based on highly heterogeneous physical mechanisms.

Stationary and transient simulations of thermodynamic systems (compression, adsorption and absorption refrigeration systems, heat and cold storage systems, Rankine systems, battery systems) using simulation tools such as DYMOLA® and the TIL Suite® software package, along with in-house tools in the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA®) script language are conducted in this field of research.

The modelling of decentralized energy systems involves drawing on extensive object libraries with heat exchangers, valves, storage systems and a diverse range of energy converters.

Optimization and development of components

Detailed analyses of specific designs often need to be conducted for the development and optimization of complex components for decentralized energy systems. The creation of a prognosis of functional properties and loads on components in heat and cold storage systems or battery systems uses multi-physics simulation tools as a basis, as they are able to model thermal and chemical effects, along with structural properties, simultaneously.

COMSOL Multiphysics® is used in this field of research to model battery systems and heat storage systems

Visualization of energy flows

Analyzing energy flows and visualizing the results is a key step in the development of new energy systems. Sankey diagrams are the method of choice to represent networked energy flows in complex systems in a comprehensible way.

The SDraw® software is used in this field of research to visualize cold and heat flows and electric current.