"We need engineers for the energy transition": Environment Minister Bernhard Stengele gains insights into energy research laboratories

Bernhard Stengele, Thuringian Minister for the Environment, Energy and Nature Conservation, visited TU Ilmenau on his winter tour to find out about the status of research into the transformation of the energy system and exchanged ideas with the Executive Board, scientists and members of the university's Sustainability Task Group.

"There is no one solution, which is why we have a very broad and interdisciplinary approach here at TU Ilmenau," said Prof. Cierpka, Head of Engineering Thermodynamics, one of many specialist areas at the university that are involved in the development of energy-related processes in national and international research networks. As thermal energy accounts for the largest share of total energy consumption in Germany, its storage will play an important role in the decarbonization of the energy supply.

Carnot batteries for energy storage

Using the example of so-called Carnot batteries, which are currently being researched as part of a priority program of the German Research Foundation (DFG), Prof. Cierpka explained how surplus electrical energy from renewable energies can be stored inexpensively, safely and without harming the environment in thermal energy storage systems, even on a large scale, in order to produce electricity when needed.

Staff from the Power Systems Group then informed Minister Stengele about the status of research into energy system transformation at TU Ilmenau - particularly in the field of electrical grids. With more and more decentralized generation plants and reduced conventional power plant output, the electrical energy supply system is becoming increasingly susceptible to faults. The time window that remains to react to critical faults is also getting smaller and smaller.