Overview of topics for theses

Vacancies and topics for final theses and projects

AGNES offers students the opportunity to work on student theses as well as final theses and projects in its subject areas. Thereby it is tried to respond to the interests and possibilities of the students. The topics can be adapted to the workload of a project, bachelor or master thesis.

The electrical grid is a complex and dynamic system. In order to increase grid stability, consumers and renewables need to be predicted, informatively matched and controlled, and the low voltage level needs to become more observable. For this purpose, artificial intelligence methods such as artificial neural networks, agent-based control algorithms, and reinforcement learning are increasingly used in this working group, but other approaches are also possible. The programs Matlab/Simulink and Python are mainly used in this group. Basic knowledge of these is desirable, but not necessary.

The current topics for final and project theses are listed below. 

Modeling and simulation of low-voltage grids

This topic deals with the modeling and simulation of detailed generation and consumption facilities in the electrical LV grid and the simulation of electrical grids both in software (e.g. PSS SINCAL or Matlab Simulink) and in real time on a hardware grid simulator (Opal-RT).

If you are interested, please contact Dirk Hansmeier (dirk.hansmeier@hsbi.de) or Lars Quakernack (lars.quakernack@hsbi.de).

Forecasting systems

In order to increase the share of renewable energies in the power grid, generation and consumption must be coordinated locally. This requires forecasts of both generation and load. This area is about the use of artificial intelligence in the electric grid, especially the forecasting of volatile renewable energies like PV plants or consumers. 

If you are interested, please contact Katrin Schulte (katrin.schulte@hsbi.de).

State estimation

Historically, the low voltage level is not monitored. Due to new consumers with high power (charging systems, heat pumps, ...) it is increasingly relevant to make the low voltage level more observable. For this purpose, grid state estimations based on fewer measuring points are needed. 

If you are interested, please contact Michael Kelker (michael.kelker@hsbi.de).

Autonomous controls

New consumers with high outputs, such as EV charging or heat pumps, as well as decentralized renewable energy systems, may threaten grid stability in the future. In order to increase grid stability, the new consumers and renewable energies described must be coordinated informatively and controlled autonomously. Either individual components to be controlled, such as EV charging or battery storage, can be considered, or an entire grid section.

If you are interested, please contact Lars Quakernack (lars.quakernack@hsbi.de) or Melina Gurcke (melina.gurcke@hsbi.de).

Test bench activities and data analysis, evaluation of field tests

The developed systems must be validated on a Hardware in the Loop (HIL) or Power Hardware in the Loop (PHIL) test bench and evaluated in field tests. The data obtained must then be processed and analyzed in order to qualitatively assess and graphically display the results.

If you are interested, please contact Vitalij Kowatsch (vitalij.kowatsch@hsbi.de) or Felix Annen (felix.annen@hsbi.de).

Virtual reality

A virtual room is to be set up in which students in various internships will be given the opportunity to test their learned study content on the topic of electrical grids and energy supply/smart grids in a realistic environment.

If you are interested, please contact Fynn Liegmann (fynn_lukas.liegmann@hsbi.de).

Fuel cells and hydrogen

With the continuous increase of renewable energies, the importance of green hydrogen to support the energy transition is growing. Electrolysers and fuel cells can provide grid-serving flexibilities. In this subject area, the operation of stationary fuel cells and the integration into electrical grids are investigated in particular. Aspects of electrolysis and storage of hydrogen complete the topic area.

If you are interested, please contact Kersten Kröger (kersten.kroeger@hsbi.de).