CoupleIT! Coupling energy grids and research disciplines

The dtec.bw project CoupleIT! – IT-based sector coupling: Digitally controlled fuel cell and electrolyzer technologies for stationary and mobile applications is an interdisciplinary approach to combine a wide range of competencies from disciplines as varied as electrical power systems, economic and social sciences, computer sciences and networks as well as sustainable development and social acceptance research. As such, this article is composed of individual contributions, constituting the main chapters that showcase general approaches and motivations but also concrete results. This compendium article starts in with a delineation of the motivation behind research in so-called microgrids composed of fuel cell and electrolyzer components and a presentation of the microgrid architecture opted for in this project. Chapter two goes into more detail on the side of electrical engineering and the feasibility of a parallel operation of inverters in microgrids to achieve the ability for an upscaling. Chapter three highlights economic and technological factors for an economically viable and grid-maintaining deployment of a hydrogen-based energy system. In addition, degradation of Li-ion batteries is discussed against the background of their flexible operation in a microgrid and other scenarios. Chapter four grants a glimpse into the field of computer science and the possibility to use artificial intelligence and neural networks for a new way to simulate the behaviour of matter on atomic and molecular scales. This approach holds potential to increase the efficiency of fuel cells by improving the molecular design of fuel cell membranes used within this project. Chapter five elucidates the intricacies of secure communication within one but also between multiple microgrids, an important aspect for achieving a resilient system. Chapter six concludes this compendium by highlighting the human perspective seen from the field of psychological acceptance research nested in the broader context of sustainable development. Among other things, areas of potential barriers to a public acceptance of hydrogen technology are identified and ways to overcome those barriers proposed. This interdisciplinary round trip starts with electrical engineering (chapters one and two), economic and social sciences (chapter three), followed by computer sciences (chapter four) and computer networks (chapter five) whence the baton is passed for one last time to the field of sustainable development and psychological acceptance research (chapter six).