idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
Hamburg – The demand of the power grid in Europe is undergoing profound changes: An increasing number of decentralized feed-in points and the fluctuating supply from renewable energies are making the interactions between power grid components more complex, posing a challenge for preserving the system stability. That is why in the TenSyGrid project, Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC), eRoots Analytics, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW), and University of Malta (UM), are developing a toolbox for direct stability assessment using multilinear models to capture the complex dynamics of power grid components.
The objective is to support grid operators in assessing large power grids mainly powered by renewable energy. The toolbox should be compatible with existing commercial software packages to facilitate integration into existing workflows. The project started in December 2024 and is funded by BMWK Germany, MICIU, AEI, CDTI Spain and XJENZA Malta as part of the EU initiative Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP).
The higher share of renewable energies in the distribution and transmission grid structures increases the requirements for grid integration. Traditional approaches that use simplified power grid simulations cannot map the fast transient behavior of power electronics used on large-scale renewable sources. As a result, there are uncertainties regarding the resulting energy system dynamics of converter-dominated networks with low inertia. Conservative limits are set as a precautionary measure to ensure stable operation. These limits constrain the expansion of renewable energy sources.
Currently, only simulations can take all scenarios into account. However, the electromagnetic transient model (EMT) simulations used for this purpose are computationally intensive since several hundred scenarios must be considered in each case. Thus, EMT simulations of large-scale networks are currently not practical.
The TenSyGrid (Tensors for System Analysis of Converter-dominated Power Grids) is a joint research project that aims to support these EMT studies using multilinear models. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC), eRoots Analytics (eRoots), Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW), University of Malta (UM) and Fraunhofer IWES, as the project coordinator, are combining their expertise for this purpose. At the project kick-off in December 2024, the partners discussed their perspectives and aims for the project.
Dr. Carlos Cateriano Yáñez, project coordinator at Fraunhofer IWES, explains: "The project will ensure that the modeling framework for very large power systems is scalable and easily updatable to reflect ongoing changes in the grid. Ultimately, TenSyGrid aims to develop tools that can be seamlessly integrated into existing commercial software." This will make the new methods accessible to operators without the need for significant changes to current systems.
Prof. Eduardo Prieto-Araujo, project coordinator at UPC, states: "Future power systems will be radically different from the traditional networks of previous decades. The massive integration of power electronics-based renewable generation, storage, and loads is profoundly transforming modern power systems. To address this evolution, we need advanced tools capable of reliably and efficiently modeling and analyzing these networks. Multilinear systems present an interesting alternative for accurately capturing the characteristics of modern power systems, offering innovative methods to support real-time operation of power networks."
M.Sc. Josep Fanals i Batllori, CEO and the principal investigator at eRoots, highlights the opportunities that can emerge from multilinear models: "While power system stability studies have traditionally been characterized by computationally intensive dynamic simulations, multilinear models, coupled with innovative analytic algorithms, have the potential to redefine how such studies are performed. Power systems can thus become fertile ground for applying the fundamental mathematical concepts underpinning TenSyGrid, as their underlying nonlinear equations resemble a multilinear format." TenSyGrid presents not only captivating challenges but also the potential to produce a transformative tool for the industry.
At HAW, Prof. Gerwald Lichtenberg is looking forward to this project: "After next to 10 national projects where the approach to multilinear modeling has been developed, extended and successfully applied to various problems like controller design, anomaly detection or fault diagnosis especially in the area of energy systems, TenSyGrid will not only give the opportunity to share and spread these methods broader in Europe, but also to sharpen them for the special needs of power grids."
Prof. John Licari, project coordinator at UM, emphasizes: "The integration of renewable energy systems into power networks presents significant challenges for network operators. The intermittent nature of renewable sources and the introduction of power electronics converters necessitate advanced solutions to ensure reliable grid performance. Having alternative innovative fast and accurate modeling tools will facilitate the operation of power networks by identifying potential issues before they escalate. This transformative technology will empower operators to navigate the complexities of renewable integration, enhancing grid resilience and paving the way for a sustainable energy future."
Compared to classic EMT simulation, the TenSyGrid project is taking a completely new approach: the power grid is mapped as a multilinear model using tensors. These models can represent the relevant phenomena of converter-dominated power grids but are significantly less computationally intensive than classical models. At the same time, they are highly interpretable. Using this innovative multilinear framework, TenSyGrid aims to enable the real-time stability assessment of power grids to an extent that has not been possible before.
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Contact partner at Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES
Project coordination, Dr. Carlos Cateriano Yáñez, Research Associate
Phone: +49 (0) 471 14290-493
E-mail: carlos.cateriano.yanez@iwes.fraunhofer.de
www.iwes.fraunhofer.de
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Fraunhofer IWES
Fraunhofer IWES develops innovative methods to accelerate the expansion of the wind energy and hydrogen economy, minimize risks and increase cost efficiency. Innovations in technological developments are validated and innovation cycles are shortened. Planning and development of offshore wind farms are accelerated and made more precise. At present, there are more than 300 scientists and employees as well as more than 100 students employed at the nine sites: Bochum, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Görlitz, Hamburg, Hannover, Leer, Leuna, and Oldenburg.
CITCEA-UPC - Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC)
CITCEA-UPC is a technology transfer center at the UPC, specializing in energy, power electronics, and industrial automation. It integrates cutting-edge research with practical applications to drive innovation in renewable energy systems, smart grids, and advanced control systems. The center collaborates with industries to develop sustainable, efficient, and reliable solutions. With a multidisciplinary team of experts, CITCEA-UPC bridges academia and industry, fostering knowledge transfer and technological advancements. Its projects focus on addressing global challenges in energy transition and digital transformation. It is a member of the TECNIO network and is recognized as a Research Group by AGAUR, Generalitat de Catalunya.
eRoots Analytics (eRoots)
eRoots Analytics builds software for modern power systems, tackling some of the most prominent challenges in the planning and operation stages. The core of eRoots’ developments is based on GridCal, an open-source package aimed at the steady-state analysis of power grids. The company also has expertise in the modelling, control and simulation of power converters. Constituted as a spinoff from CITCEA-UPC in 2022, and based in Barcelona, eRoots currently employs over 14 engineers.
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW)
Developing sustainable solutions to the societal challenges of today and tomorrow. This is the goal of the University of Applied Sciences (HAW) Hamburg. It was founded in 1970 and currently is Hamburg’s second-largest higher education institution, Germany’s fourth-largest public university of applied sciences, and member of the UAS7 alliance in Germany as well as the European CARPE network.
Approximately 16000 students, more of 2000 of them international, are enrolled in 37 Bachelor programs and 35 Master's - where lectures are given by more than 400 professors supported by around 1000 staff members.
The key research areas are: Energy and Sustainability, Health and Nutrition, Mobility and Transport as well as IT, Communication and Media. Around 200 students currently work at HAW on their PhDs in cooperation with national and international universities.
University of Malta (UM)
The University of Malta has a 400-year history and there are over 11,500 students including 1000 foreign/exchange students from nearly 92 different countries, following full-time or part-time degree and diploma courses, with 3,500 students graduating each year. UM is comprised of 14 Faculties and several interdisciplinary Institutes and Centres. This project is being coordinated by the Electrical Engineering Department which is part of the Faculty of Engineering at UM. The Department is at the forefront of research in various areas of electrical engineering. The academic staff are actively involved in state-of-the-art research in: Electric Transportation (Land, Sea, Air); Microgrids and Smart Grids; Power Electronic Converters; Renewable Energy Systems for Grid Integration; Electrical Drives; Energy Efficiency in Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Applications; Power Quality and EMC. The department is active in a number of conferences and international networks, publishes in major journals and participates in international projects.
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Funding notice
This research was funded by CET Partnership, the Clean Energy Transition Partnership under the 2023 joint call for research proposals, co-funded by the European Commission (GA 101 069750) and with the funding organizations detailed on https://cetpartnership.eu/funding-agencies-and-call-modules.
Contact partner at Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES
Project coordination, Dr. Carlos Cateriano Yáñez, Research Associate
Phone: +49 (0) 471 14290-493
E-mail: carlos.cateriano.yanez@iwes.fraunhofer.de
www.iwes.fraunhofer.de
TenSyGrid Consortium at the kick-off meeting in Hamburg in December 2024
© Fraunhofer IWES
The TenSyGrid project logo
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