unIT-e² – living lab for integrated e-mobility

The project

The center of unIT-e²  are four Germany-wide field tests, the so-called clusters. In these clusters, the partners develop use cases with the support of the FfE, which are demonstrated in field trials throughout the project. The realization takes place in the urban areas of Munich and Düsseldorf (cit-E-Life) as well as in rural areas of eastern Bavaria (sun-E), Lower Saxony (Harmon-E) and northern Hesse (Heav-E). The clusters are scientifically accompanied throughout the project by the FfE and other research institutes through the sub-project (TP) research. As part of a TP grid, the partners are advancing concepts and components for the successful integration of electric vehicles into the energy system.

Harmon-E

The cluster focuses on the harmonious interaction of electromobility, electrical heat supply and their market- and network-optimized use. In addition to the realization of the concepts, these are examined concerning customer suitability. For the FfE, the focus in this cluster is on the topic of forecast models for predicting charging and load behavior.

Heav-E

The cluster Heav-E is investigating the network impact of high penetration of e-vehicles in a large-scale field test in the region of Northern Hesse. In this context, new incentive systems for grid-friendly charging and suitable communication standards for safe control of the charging infrastructure are to be tested.

sun-E

As a southern German cluster, sun-E takes its name from the interaction of electromobility and PV power generation. Among other things, the coordination mechanism developed in the project is to be tested here in the area of ​​tension between grid and market-beneficial charging strategies.

Cit-E-Life

Cit-E-Life supplements the unIT-e² project structure with two field tests in the urban areas of Düsseldorf and Munich. The urban test environments are intended to specifically address the challenges posed by complex ownership structures along the process chain between the automotive and energy industries.

TP Grid

As part of a “Grid” sub-project, partners from the energy industry are developing procedural and technical solutions for the integration of electric vehicles into the energy system. This creates the basis for the hardware and software components used in the real tests as well as for the control and regulation strategies. For the integration of decentralized, small-scale flexibilities into the power grid, the interfaces between the respective stakeholders, the process for providing system services and the further development of grid-related coordination mechanisms are also being examined. A close exchange with the FfE activities in the “Research” sub-project takes place here to bring scientific findings into the discussions on the one hand and to “challenge” them on the other by the practice partners. The aim of the TP grid is, among other things, to derive basic recommendations for action for politicians and standardization bodies to achieve the overall goal of interoperability between the energy and automotive industries.

TP Research

The entire scientific project support is taken over by other universities and institutes in addition to the FfE. This gives the four living laboratories a stable scientific foundation. The focus of the FfE is in particular on energy system and distribution network investigations, the further development of approaches for future network operation and the scientific monitoring of field tests. The results obtained are synthesized with practical knowledge from the scientific support of the clusters and the TP grid to formulate the relevant options for action from the research point of view.

Research content of the FfE unIT-e²:

• Extension of the existing energy system and marketing models, methodical approaches and databases for the detailed mapping of electromobility-specific scenarios
• Simulation and analysis of marketing approaches and investments in the field of electromobility from the perspective of the actors
• Detailed consideration of the distribution network, including the investigation of technical and energy management parameters, such as e.g. B. the effects of variable network charges
• Development of a coordination mechanism that coordinates switching requests from the network operator and the market and enables the conflict-free switching of flexible systems at the lowest
• voltage
• level of options for action from the perspective of research by synthesizing the results and findings
• Support for efficient, targeted work in the clusters
• Organizational support during the project and widespread communication of results

The consortium

A total of 29 partner companies have come together for the joint project unIT-e². FfE is responsible for leading the consortium and thus for controlling the project.

The FfE joint project

Due to the cooperation between the FfE and other partners from the energy industry, additional companies are involved in the research project. For these cooperation partners, there is, among other things, the possibility of direct contact and exchange with the implementation partners. Furthermore, regular workshops offer a comprehensive transfer of knowledge from the project.

The following partners support the research work of the FfE both financially and with data and individual, practical experience:

• Energielösung4all GmbH
• ENERVIE Vernetzt GmbH
• Illwerke vkw AG
• N-ERGIE Netz GmbH
• Netze BW GmbH
• Stadtwerke Rosenheim Netze GmbH
• TEN Thüringer Energienetze GmbH & Co. KG
• Trianel GmbH
• TransnetBW GmbH
• Voralberger Energienetze GmbH

The research project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) (funding code: 01MV21UN11 (FfE eV), 01MV21UN01 (FfE GmbH)). The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is responsible for the three-year joint project.

Further information:

• unIT-e²: Intelligently network electromobility
• We are mobilizing the digital energy transition UN|IT|E²