Safe operation for renewable energies in Saxony
On November 30, 2018, the official opening ceremony for the joint “SaxoGRID” early-career researcher group of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and the Technical University of Dresden took place in the civic hall of the town hall in Zittau, the seat of the district. Accepting the invitation from the project leaders were Dr. Stephan Meyer, a member of the Saxon State Parliament; Thomas Zenker, the mayor of Zittau; the Rector of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Friedrich Albrecht, and, representing the University Executive Board of TU Dresden, Associate Dean Prof. Klaus Röbenack. In addition, representatives from the Saxon State Ministry of Science and the Arts and numerous industry representatives were welcomed.
In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Stephan Meyer highlighted the “highly exciting” collaboration between the Zittau/Görlitz and the Technical University of Dresden, and stressed the importance of young scientists working together with industry to develop solutions for energy grids with decentralized power plants, so that an affordable supply—combined with a high level of security and environmental sustainability—can continue to be guaranteed. He also emphasized the great importance of research and innovation in the context of structural change, noting that an innovation campus could be one way to bring together scientists, companies, and entrepreneurs and to retain jobs and economic value in the region.
Mayor Thomas Zenker described Zittau’s historical and current connections that extend beyond borders in Upper Lusatia and linked them to the demands of structural change and the energy transition. The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is a “jewel” for the city of Zittau and an essential, active partner in supporting structural change through research and the innovations of its graduates.
Rector Prof. Friedrich Albrecht particularly emphasized the networking between TU Dresden and Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences with local industrial companies. In particular, cooperation with industry partners is to be further deepened so that the university’s students gain insight into current research topics and, at the same time, a contribution can be made toward strengthening engineering expertise at the Zittau campus.
Associate Dean Prof. Klaus Röbenack highlighted in particular the long-standing collaboration between TU Dresden and the University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz, which for decades has demonstrated the added value of complementary—rather than competing—fields of research in strengthening Saxony’s power engineering sector and enhancing its national and international reputation.
Prof. Stefan Kornhuber from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz introduced the project, which is funded by the European Social Fund. The anticipated phase-out of conventional power plant capacity due to the energy transition will affect the Lausitz region in particular. Therefore, it will be necessary to stabilize the labor market situation in the energy technology sector, strengthen the structural conditions for industrial infrastructure, and improve conditions for regional research institutions.
The challenges facing Saxony’s grid operators lie not only in grid expansion and retrofitting but also in the development and refinement of operational management concepts for their grids. The “SaxoGRID” early-career researcher group is intended to contribute, through its work, to overcoming the challenges to reliable electricity supply posed by the distributed renewable energy generation facilities in Saxony.
With the help of this early-career researcher group, the University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz and TU Dresden can continue and expand their long-standing, proven cooperation in the field of electrical grid operations and insulation technology, and leverage synergies. This ensures that Saxony’s universities are scientifically well-positioned in the field of electrical energy supply in the context of the energy transition and can make fundamental contributions to the further development of experts and industrial companies, as well as to the modernization of the electrical energy supply in Saxony
Prof. Peter Schegner and Prof. Steffen Großmann from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at TU Dresden gave a brief presentation outlining the complementary areas of focus at TU Dresden and Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. They provided insight into the effects on grid stability, operational management, and the stress placed on electrical components due to decentralized, inverter-based feed-in systems, which lead to high-frequency harmonic loads on the grids.
At the conclusion of the event, the collaboration between the two universities and all participating industry partners for the period from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021, was formally sealed with the signing of a joint memorandum of understanding.
The early-career researchers Diplom-Ing. (FH) Jun Ting Loh, Diplom-Ing. (FH) Jonathan Hänsch, Diplom-Ing. (FH) Benjamin Küchler, and Diplom-Ing. Jan Linde then participated in a discussion regarding the subprojects. In addition, the industry partners presented their activities in the field of power engineering.
All participants wish the young researchers a good start and every success in addressing the research questions posed as part of the project.
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Dresden University of Technology
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
Institute for Electrical Power Supply and High Voltage Technology
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Steffen Großmann
Professorship for High Current and High Voltage Technology