Post by E.ON ERC

🚀 Following up on our incredible 20 year anniversary celebration with E.ON, we are thrilled to share what is next! During the event, our four partnering institutes outlined the joint research roadmap that will guide our work over the next five years. 🔬 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀: •  𝐀𝐂𝐒 (𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬): ACS explores how physics-constrained machine learning, power-system foundation models, quantum and quantum-inspired optimization, and hybrid workflows could support forecasting, grid decisions, feasibility checks, resilience, and coordination across millions of devices. The goal is to turn the complexity of the energy transition into an opportunity to build more intelligent, flexible, and resilient electricity grids. • 𝐄𝐁𝐂 (𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞): The energy transition requires the seamless interplay of users, buildings, technical systems, and entire urban districts. EBC balances energy efficiency and comfort by tackling everything from next-generation heat pumps and smart ventilation technology to model predictive building automation and cloud-backed district energy systems. By combining simulation, experiments, and real-world field tests, we ensure these interconnected solutions—from individual user behavior up to sustainable urban grids—actually work in practice. • 𝐅𝐂𝐍 (𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫): Over the last 20 years, considerable knowledge has been built up at FCN, helping to deal with the challenges of the coming years, including the need for enhanced studies on resilience, security of supply, and flexibility in light of increasing shares of renewables, new challenges (such as artificial intelligence and data centers) and geopolitical uncertainties. Technical innovation is important, but it is technological diffusion that is creating value for economies and society. Hence, a better understanding of the dynamics of successful market diffusion of innovative technologies and products/services, and how best to deal with legacy infrastructure, is paramount. • 𝐏𝐆𝐒 (𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬): Our current research focus areas at PGS range from grid-supportive storage, integrated energy systems, and bidirectional electric mobility to sustainable battery and power electronics technologies. A special focus lies on the development and evaluation of innovative battery systems—spanning from new cell technologies and operation and aging models to the sustainable integration of storage into energy and mobility systems. Also in focus are grid-forming inverters, material-efficient power electronics, DC grids, intelligent energy management systems, as well as resilient components and architectures that enable a secure, efficient, and sustainable energy supply for the future.