With the Electrifying Ideas Award, the ZVEI honours innovations and solutions that take into account the efficient use of energy and resources and have a benefit for society. Among numerous submissions, the idea from the University of Wuppertal made it into the top three in the Newcomer category. Even though it was not enough to win the award in the end, the project team was given the opportunity to present the software and the project behind it to a wider audience in Berlin on Thursday (23 May).

More about the idea

Whether integrating renewable energies, converting the gas network to hydrogen or supplying e-cars and electricity-powered heat pumps - the municipal energy supply network is facing huge challenges. In order to accelerate the energy transition at a local level and make it cost-efficient, smart tools are needed to support the planning of the future energy infrastructure. Otherwise, there is a risk of permanent construction sites in the city and additional costs due to a lack of coordination processes.

Automated and cross-sectoral

The AtEne software, which is currently being developed in the research project of the same name at the University of Wuppertal, provides a solution: "AtEne offers automated and cross-sectoral energy master planning for municipalities, municipal utilities and distribution network operators that takes electricity, heating, hydrogen and natural gas networks into account," explains project manager Prof Markus Zdrallek, who heads the Chair of Electrical Energy Supply Technology at the University of Wuppertal.

The AtEne software increases planning efficiency for grid expansion by developing analysis tools that record and visualise grid effects, planned measures and investment costs. Ultimately, all consumers benefit from the potential savings identified for municipal utilities, grid operators and local authorities.

Assistance for all municipalities

One of the challenges to be overcome in the project: "The energy transition is different in every neighbourhood. We therefore need to be able to forecast individually how photovoltaic systems, charging points, refurbishments and the provision of heat will develop. The data basis always varies depending on the municipal utility, grid operator and municipality," explains energy expert Zdrallek.

For the best possible concept behind the application, the University of Wuppertal is therefore working together with ten grid operators and five municipalities in the AtEne project. They are providing data for research and testing as well as for implementing the software, which will also help other local authorities with planning in the future. Energieforen Leipzig GmbH is another research institute involved in the project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (formerly Economy and Climate Protection). The project will run for a total of three years and is currently halfway through.