Christiane Warnicke receives award for bachelor thesis on challenges for power grids arising from decentralised energy generation
Graduate B.Eng. Christiane Warnicke (Industrial Engineering & Energy Technology) impressed the foundation's jury with her thesis on "Problem description, solution finding and risk analysis of use cases in Section 14a EnWG at Mitteldeutsche Netzgesellschaft Strom mbH" and won the 2024 sponsorship award in the "Energy Networks & Data Networks" category. It is endowed with 1,000 euros.
The award-winning bachelor thesis
The thesis by B.Eng. Christiane Warnicke deals with the problem description, solution finding and risk analysis for the implementation of the requirements in accordance with Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act at Mitteldeutsche Netzgesellschaft Strom mbH. The aim of this legal regulation is to avoid critical grid situations through targeted control of private consumption devices such as heat pumps and charging infrastructures for electric vehicles. This is becoming increasingly important against the backdrop of growing decentralised energy generation and rising energy demand in private households.
The work focuses on the technical implementation of control measures: How do grid operators transmit control commands to customers' end devices in order to realise targeted power limitation? What hurdles are encountered and what solutions can be derived? This is supplemented by a comprehensive risk analysis in the form of a risk matrix and scenario analysis. While the risk matrix identifies potential risks during implementation, the scenario analysis compares various future options - such as control in accordance with Section 14a EnWG and grid expansion - in terms of their economic and technical impact on grid operators and customers.
Overall, the work shows both the technical and regulatory challenges in the control and monitoring of controllable consumption devices. It presents solution strategies and evaluates these in terms of long-term risks, feasibility and economic viability.
"In her thesis, Ms Warnicke demonstrates a high level of expertise with regard to both the technical characteristics of grid-oriented control and the cost-effectiveness and risk assessment of its operational implementation," emphasises Prof. Michael Lehmann from Mitteldeutsche Netzgesellschaft Strom gmbH, operational supervisor of the thesis.
Prof. Martin Gürtler, Professor of Production and Logistics Systems at the Faculty of Engineering HTWK Leipzig, emphasises in his expert opinion: "The traditional division into electricity producers and consumers is dissolving and in principle causes greater fluctuations in supply and demand - in a word, additional risks. Ms Warnicke first approaches the problem by taking a detailed look at various options for the practical control of suitable electricity consumers using control signals from the distribution network operator. The involvement of a wide range of players makes this seemingly simple task very complex, and there are also various options for technical implementation. A standardised implementation is out of the question due to various boundary conditions (stock of old appliances, economic reasons, legal requirements). She appropriately uses UML diagrams to visualise the resulting use cases. She explains these very well and, in the next step, derives possible resulting risks for the effectiveness of intended control processes."
Award winner Christiane Warnicke is delighted to receive the honour: "When I decided on this degree course over three years ago, I was offered a great opportunity to help shape the energy transition from both a technical and economic perspective. I am all the more pleased that I was able to make an important contribution with my bachelor's thesis and was honoured with the EUST Leipzig Sponsorship Award 2024. This honour also encourages me to complete my Master's degree just as successfully and to face future challenges with full energy."
We wish the award winner every success in her Master's programme and for her professional future.
Background: Award from the Energy and Environment Foundation Leipzig
The Energy and Environment Foundation Leipzig awards an annual prize of 1,000 euros per category for outstanding student research projects, final theses and innovative scientific projects in order to promote young talent and intensify cooperation with scientific training and research institutions in the city and region of Leipzig.
The foundation has set itself the goal of promoting Leipzig-Halle as a centre of excellence for future-oriented and environmentally friendly energy technologies and thus strengthening the economy of the Central German region, which is to be achieved by awarding sponsorship prizes, among other things.
Every year, graduates and young scientists from universities and research institutions in the city of Leipzig and the Leipzig region have the opportunity to apply for one of the foundation's two sponsorship prizes with their thesis or project work.
The "Energy Networks and Data Networks" prize is awarded to the best research and development work that deals with the topics of decentralised energy supply systems, SMART GRIDs, communication technology in energy generation plants, simulation of interconnected electrical grids, regulation and control of complex energy supply facilities or monitoring and diagnosis in energy supply facilities.
