efzn supports TU project on crisis-resilient energy systems

As part of a call for proposals for ‘small, agile projects’, the Lower Saxony Energy Research Centre (efzn) had invited researchers from Lower Saxony to develop solutions to strengthen the crisis resilience of the energy system in Lower Saxony. TU Braunschweig was successful with its project ‘ReKoMi – Resilience in Coupled Medium-Voltage Grids’, which it will carry out in collaboration with Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg and the University of Bremen as an associated partner (though the latter is not receiving funding itself).

Against a backdrop of increasing decentralised generation, rising demands on grid stability and ever more digitalised infrastructures, new approaches to the planning and operation of distribution networks are becoming increasingly important, particularly with regard to resilience. This is precisely where the ‘ReKoMi’ project comes in.

A short study will examine the technical resilience potential of a dynamic medium-voltage direct current coupling system for Lower Saxony, based on the current state of research. It will investigate how a cellular grid concept can be usefully implemented, in which the individual grid cells communicate with one another and are coupled via direct current transmission. This allows active power to be exchanged between the cells, whilst they remain largely independent in terms of frequency and reactive power. The cellular approach can also increase connectivity, which is regarded as a key parameter for assessing the resilience of electrical infrastructure.

Through Lower Saxony’s second funding programme for small, agile projects, the efzn aims to specifically strengthen interdisciplinary research on this topic and develop robust policy options for Lower Saxony’s state government.