Members


Collaborators working on this project.

The following institutions are collaborating on the VILLAS project:


Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems

RWTH project coordinator

The Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems (ACS) is part of the E.ON Energy Research Center at the RWTH Aachen University and focuses on multidisciplinary research for the automation, modernization and restructuring of electrical energy systems. Both the simulation of dynamic processes in complex network systems as well as development of a stable and secure communication infrastructure are area of expertise of the scientists working at ACS. The most relevant recent papers are briefly discussed in the following. A full list of publications is available at the institute’s website.

Institute of Energy Research 5 – Photovoltaic

FZJ project coordinator

The Institute of Energy Research 5 – Photovoltaic (IEK-5) focusses on researching new materials and innovative device architectures for sustainable photovoltaics based on thin films.

Institute of Energy and Climate Research – Systems Analysis and Technology Evaluation


The Institute of Energy and Climate Research – Systems Analysis and Technology Evaluation (IEK-STE) explores and develops strategies for the transformation of energy systems, taking into account technical, economic, ecological and social interdependencies.

Institute of Energy and Climate Research Electrochemical Process Engineering


Institute of Energy and Climate Research Electrochemical Process Engineering (IEK-3) is one of nine subinstitutes within the Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK) at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH. IEK-3 aims to conduct research of social, ecological and economic relevance and thus generate groundbreaking results on an international level. This quality of work is achieved through basic research in close coordination with technical development work in relevant scientific and technical fields of expertise. Special significance is attached here to international cooperations with partners from research and industry.

Institute of Energy and Climate Research Fundamental Electrochemistry


The institute of energy and climate research - Fundamental Electrochemistry (IEK-9) focusses on the scientific principles of the development of powerful and efficient materials for electrochemical storage and energy conversion. Goals of the research and development are cheap batteries, fuel cells and electrolysers with enhanced energy and power density, long life time and maximum reliability.

Center for Wind Drives


With the foundation of the Center for Wind Power Drives (CWD) another milestone in the research of wind turbines is set in Aachen. The Center is equipped with an innovative 4MW-WindTurbine-system test rig. RWTH Aachen University thus strengthening the research efforts in the field of onshore wind turbines. The CWD navigates and organises the interdisciplinary research activities at RWTH Aachen University in the area of WT drive train systems. These research activities contain both fundamental scientific analyses and pre-competitive research and development projects.

Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate


The research of the Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate (EBC) aims to reduce the energy consumption of buildings and increase the quality of the indoor climate. This energy-focussed consideration of buildings comprises the generation of energy and its distribution, the storage of energy and its dispensation to the room as well as the thermal behavior of the building structure. Unlike many other energy approaches typically applied nowadays, the institute uses an exergy-based analytical technology which, in particular, involves sensible utilization chains for energy transformation. This method enables a thermodynamically valid evaluation of the entire energy supply chain - starting from the supply structure and the energy transformation chain extending down to the energy streams within a building. In all methods for reducing the energy requirements of buildings, the research work always compares the costs (energy/exergy) with the benefit (indoor comfort), so that new concepts for the supply of buildings can be compared with existing solutions and be further developed to meet future requirements.

Institute of Power Systems and Power Economics


Chair and Institute of Power Systems and Power Economics (IAEW) make part of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology of RWTH Aachen University. There are about 40 full-time staff members at the institute with 30 scientific staff members working in three research groups.

Institute of Power Plant Technology, Steam and Gas Turbines


The Institute for Power Plant Technology, Steam and Gas Turbines (IKDG) deals with the analysis and assessment of energy conversion systems, with the investigation and optimization of steam and gas turbines and valves for power plant applications and their integration into the power plant process.
The IKDG has several large test rigs, in which combustion processes in gas turbine combustion chambers or flow phenomena in steam and gas turbines, such as secondary flows in the blade channel and leakage flows in the shroud cavity and their interaction can be investigated. The aim of this research is optimization of the turbine aerodynamics and characterization of loss mechanisms. The increasing of power plants efficiencies is associated with the increase of the process parameters of turbines which requires the application of porous materials and improved cooling technologies. These topics are focus of research at the Institute for a long time.

Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives


The Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA) is working for more than 40 years on the research areas Power Electronics, Electronic Devices, Electrical Drives and Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems. Besides public founded research projects, one focus of ISEA are research and development activities in close co-operation with national and international companies within the already mentioned application areas. In addition ISEA offers engineering services (e.g. measurement/characterization, engineering opinion and consulting) for companies in nearly all fields of activity.

Institute for Power Generation and Storage Systems


PGS operates in the area of research, development and application of power electronic conversion and storage technologies (medium voltage building blocks). The aim is to significantly improve the performance in terms of efficiency and life cycle cost of generation, storage, and systems for medium-voltage distribution and DC transmission.