TOMORROW TODAY ENERGY WORLD IN TRANSITION
UNIQUE TEST SERIES IN THE SMART GRID LAB ICT MASTERPIECE AWARD 2015 // Austria’s most innovative ICT project IMAGING PLATFORM // Correlated Multimodal Imaging Node Austria (CMI) SECURE COMMUNICATION // Softwaredefined overlay network
Wolfgang Hribernik, Head of Business Unit Electric Energy Systems
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Wolfgang Hribernik, Head of the Electric Energy Systems Business Unit, and his team are helping to transform our energy system and facilitate the paradigm shift to intelligent grid operation.
Top-Story
LEADING THE WAY TO A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE
Research for tomorrow: Georg Lauss (Engineer), Roland Bründlinger (Senior Engineer), Wolfgang Hribernik (Head of Electric Energy Systems), from left to right.
Our power grid is undergoing a period of transition. One of the greatest challenges it faces is the new relationship between suppliers and consumers. Whereas in the past power was exclusively supplied by major power plant operators, today photovoltaic systems, in particular, are making small-scale power generation a reality. This turns consumers into producers, feeding electricity into the power grid. Increasing use of renewable energy sources including solar and wind power is stretching Europe‘s power infrastructure to its limits. In future we will rely on intelligent networks, or “smart grids”, to guarantee secure power supply, even where a large proportion of the input is provided by distributed power generation systems. Consequently, these developments were the focus of the EDST Conference on Smart Electric Distribution Systems and Technology held in Vienna in September 2015 under the leadership of AIT.
Foto: AIT, Coverfoto: Lukas Ilgner
DISTRIBUTED GENERATION Challenges to the future energy industry are the central theme of Wolfgang Hribernik‘s work as Head of the Electric Energy Systems Business Unit at AIT and his team. The distribution networks were not originally designed to accommodate an increasing share of distributed generation and therefore the existing power infrastructure must be operated more efficiently using smart grids. Hribernik, a trained electrical engineer and expert in automation and control technology, is researching into future distribution networks with his team. “We have succeeded in making research, network operators and industry all aware of the technical solutions and the functions of system concepts and individual technologies, and can now transfer this knowledge to a variety of pilot projects. We know
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DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS When it comes to network simulations, Hribernik‘s team is primarily focusing on scenario calculations using numerical simulations. They analyse the functional and economic impact of various technologies on specific network sections. “Within the framework of EU projects, we are analysing network data from the large operators and use them as a basis for method
development,” explains Hribernik. In the end, the major topic is validation. “We need large-scale demonstration projects to show that theoretical approaches also function under real-world operating conditions,” the scientist explains. These projects are currently being established in Austria. Smaller pilot projects are already underway in related disciplines. For example, an intelligent, regional low-voltage distribution network is being validated in the Smart Grid Model Region Salzburg, in the municipality of Köstendorf and the Rosa Zukunft
housing estate in the city of Salzburg. There is currently a call in Germany for so-called “showcase regions” to host larger demonstration projects. And in Austria the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology (bmvit) has already announced a future call for an energy model region which will examine questions relating to future energy supply at a large scale. “We need large demonstration projects such as these in order to make decisive advances.”
RESEARCH AS AN ASSET Hribernik also notes that tomorrow‘s energy economy needs “reliable and available basic technologies”. R&D activities are important here, particularly for control technologies, data analytics modelling and the further development of inverter systems. “Our major task is to connect an increasing number of distributed storage and generators to the grid. This requires research projects aimed at making new technologies affordable.” Hribernik‘s team can make a valuable contribution here. “Our SmartEST laboratory at AIT gives us access to a unique infrastructure and top experts. Through cooperation and interdisciplinary know-how, we are taking a global position in this field. This places us at the forefront of scientific and technological developments.” And last but not least, AIT experts are involved in Aspern – Vienna’s Urban Lakeside, a showcase project of European dimensions. Working together with partners including Siemens, Wien Energie and Wiener Netze, the project is applying tomorrow‘s urban energy concepts today. “We are the primary technology partner for smart grids and smart buildings in Aspern,” says Hribernik. “Our research here will influence the energy economy over the coming generations.”
Top marks for the smart grids laboratory at AIT. An international jury of experts regards AIT research and the SmartEST laboratory as an important foundation for tomorrow’s intelligent power grids. Built as part of the DG-EV-HIL project, the SmartEST laboratory offers component manufacturers a completely new range of testing and analysis options. It provides hardware tests with the benefits of numerical real-time simulation. Using Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (P-HIL) simulations, network models are connected to real components to test control algorithms, system concepts and smart grid components under realistic conditions.
Foto: AIT
what the solutions for integrating renewable energy and demand-side management look like. We are now considering which large-scale rollout measures are needed to implement these approaches. The relevant keywords are replicability and scalability.” The rollout of intelligent electricity meters (“smart meters”) also plays a role. “The developments go hand-in-hand,” says Hribernik. “What we can learn from the smart meter rollout is the validation, cost structures and functionality associated with the rollout of technologies and systems over a wide area.”
Performance & Success
FOCUS ON PERFORMANCE & SUCCESS POWER GENERATION
LIFE SCIENCE
SUSTAINABLE PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES
UNIQUE IMAGING MODALITIES
Almost 4% of European electricity demand are already covered by photovoltaics (PV), and this share is growing fast. Eliminating lead and reducing the silver content of new PV modules makes this technology even more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective. Seven partners have pooled their know-how in the InnoModu research project in order to achieve this goal. Under the leadership of AIT, the project aims to eliminate lead from crystalline PV modules and to reduce the use of expensive silver. “PV modules currently consist of cells whose electrical contacts are created using a silver paste. An innovative galvanising process involving copper almost completely eliminates the need for silver in PV modules,” explains Christoph Mayr, Head of Business Unit at the AIT Energy Department. This saves around 8% of the overall costs of the module whilst retaining the same level of electrical performance. Consequently, the improved PV modules are also more cost-effective and significantly more environmentally-friendly. They also meet strict certification requirements. Now the scientists at AIT are searching for an application partner to test the new modules in practice.
Photovoltaics play a key role in Europe‘s energy sector, including citizen participa Foto: FRÖTSCHER LICHTENWAGNER Architekten/Visualisierung schreinerkastler, AIT, Wien Energie/Vipress
tion models such as this one in Vienna.
High-resolution 3D microscopy, photo acoustic tomography and high-field magnetic resonance imaging are becoming increasingly important in life science research. These extremely expensive imaging processes offer insights into the workings of cells, tissues and organs. The new Correlated Multimodal Imaging Node Austria (CMI) platform aims to provide researchers with access to unique global imaging modalities. To this end AIT, the Medical University of Vienna, University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Vienna University of Technology, Campus Science Support Facilities (CSF), VrVis, Centre for Virtual Reality and Visualisation, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology have come together to form a consortium. CMI should have a long-term impact on the development of Austria‘s research landscape. This will raise the international visibility of excellent Austrian research in the life sciences, whilst simultaneously strengthening cooperation with international partners.
TRANSPORT
PERMANENT CHANGES IN MOBILITY The CHANGE lab exploratory project is creating the foundations for implementing an urban mobility laboratory. This will take the form of research infrastructure for examining and evaluating group-specific effects of transportation measures in different social environments for motivating people to persistently change their mobility behaviour patterns. The planned mobility lab is designed as an “actor network” with the intention of facilitating access to potential transregional and local research and implementation actors, as well as the necessary research infrastructure. “CHANGE lab increases the effectiveness and acceptance of the measures, and plays a key role in achieving transport policy goals,” believes Alexandra Millonig, a Scientist in the AIT Mobility Department.
The ‘Verteilerkreis Neu’ interchange in Vienna: mobility changes become perceptible.
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ELECTRONIC DIABETES DIARY
AUSTRIA‘S MOST INNOVATIVE ICT PROJECT During the CIO congress, the Austrian rail and mining insurance company (VAEB) was awarded the ICT Masterpiece Award 2015 for implementing state-of-the-art ICT systems as part of the “Diabetes mellitus health dialogue” telemedicine initiative. Working closely with AIT experts in medical telemonitoring technologies, and with partners in the healthcare sector, they developed an IT system which opens up new treatment and care processes for patients with diabetes. Doctor and patient are in constant dialogue in this pilot project: blood pressure, blood sugar levels, weight and exercise data are all recorded in an “electronic diabetes diary” and transferred to the doctor. “Without the patient needing to enter the practice, doctors have an overview of the data and treatment progress, allowing them to provide the patient with spontaneous feedback,” emphasises Anton Dunzendorfer. The jury was impressed by this exemplary implementation of a highly innovative IT project, which was successfully carried out in an extremely complex market environment.
Manfred Bammer (Head of Biomedical Systems, AIT), Direc tor Werner Bogendorfer (Health and Innovations Unit, VAEB), Robert Modre-Osprian (Assistive Healthcare Information Tech nology, AIT), from left to right, at the AIT stand at the Alpbach Health Symposium.
ERA-LEARN 2020
INTENSIFYING TRANSNATIONAL RESEARCH “ERA-LEARN 2020 is designed to help national RTI policy makers across Europe, pool their limited research and development resources at European level and to create synergies.” Michael Dinges, Senior Expert Advisor, AIT Innovation Systems.
Foto: LSZ Consulting, AIT/Mürling, AIT
Europe‘s societal challenges can only be met by joint effort. When it comes to research, there are benefits in strengthening pan-European cooperation and coordinating national research agendas and programmes. ERA-LEARN 2020 (www. era-learn.eu) is a good example of this. The project is coordinated by the Austrian Research Agency (FFG) and carried out together with 10 international partner organisations in the fields of research funding and policy analysis, including the AIT Innovation Systems Department. ERA-LEARN 2020 offers transnational public-private-partnership networks (P2Ps) information about financing opportunities through joint calls, monitors the implementation of P2P initiatives, facilitates knowledge transfer between P2Ps, and develops a toolbox to support P2P networks in joint programme planning.
INNOVATION CALENDAR IT SECURITY
PROTECTING COMPANY DATA Company data is a valuable resource in need of protection. The greatest, although usually unconscious, security breaches are often caused by employees acting thoughtlessly, for example, by handing out sensitive information in response to phishing attacks. As part of the recently launched European research project Dogana (Advanced Social Engineering And Vulnerability Assessment Framework), the Technology Experience Business Unit in the AIT Innovation Systems Department is researching and developing interactive, personalised tutorials and mini-games to raise awareness amongst employees of phishing attacks and the risks they pose. AIT is challenging the internal security systems of its partner companies in order to understand where their internal weaknesses lie. Tutorials and games will then be precisely targeted at the weaknesses highlighted in these pan-European studies.
“Protecting sensitive data benefits companies by preventing competitive disadvantages, loss of image and high costs.” Marc Busch, Scientist at AIT Innovation Systems.
10–14/1/2016 // TRB ANNUAL MEETING The Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) provides a platform for discussing transport topics for policy makers, researchers, and representatives of government, industry, and academic institutions. Venue: Washington, DC Information: http://www.trb.org // 12–14/1/2016 // EUROGUSS The trade fair for the die casting industry offers a broad range of topics such as rapid prototyping, CNC machines, materials testing or 3D printing. AIT will showcase its services at the event. Venue: Nuremberg Information: https://www.euroguss.de // 25/1/2016 // FIT INFODAYS The course guidance programme for students of secondary schools in Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland aims at encouraging young women to study engineering or natural sciences. Venue: Vienna University of Technology Information: www.fitinwien.at // 25-29/1/2016 // RISIS WEEK Annual conference of the EU project RISIS, which aims at creating a distri buted research infrastructure to support and advance science and innovation studies. Venue: Amsterdam AIT contact: Thomas Scherngell Information: http://risis.eu // 27/1/2016 // YO!TECH ‚YO!TECH - Lust auf Technik‘ is an annual innovation event that aims to provide pupils with targeted information about technical professions and to p resent the relevant courses in a
hands-on approach. Venue: Vienna AIT contact: Michael Mürling Information: www.yo-tech.at // 28-30/1/2016 // GEOGRAPHY OF INNOVATION CONVENTION The conference deals with innovations at scientific, political and strategic levels. Venue: Toulouse AIT contact: Thomas Scherngell Information: http://geoinnov2016.sciencespo-toulouse.fr // 10-12/2/2016 // ENINNOV The 14th Symposium on Energy Innovation focuses on topics such as energy infrastructure, smart grids or power system components. Venue: Graz University of Technology AIT contact: Werner Friedl Information: http://www.tugraz.at/ events/eninnov2016/home/ // 17/2/2016 // SMART CITY CONFERENCE The Vienna Chamber of Labour is planning a Smart City conference, which aims to explore the smart city concept as an urban development strategy in a practical and interdisciplinary manner. Venue: Vienna AIT contact: Brigitte Bach Information: www.arbeiterkammer.at // 17-21/2/2016 // CENTRAL EUROPEAN GAMES CONFERENCE The annual meeting point for game developers in Vienna this year focuses on the topic of diversity. Venue: Vienna AIT contact: Marc Busch Information: http://www.cegconf.com //
AIT Top Journal Papers
PRODUCTION OFFSHORING VS. INNOVATIVE ACTIVITY
IMPROVED SOLUTION QUALITY IN ROUTE PLANNING
SOFTWARE-DEFINED NETWORKS PROVIDE SECURITY
Over the past 15 years, a large number of industrial firms have transferred parts of their production abroad. The effects of such offshoring activities on employment are a topic of hot debate. A growing number of experts also warn that offshoring may have negative effects on the companies‘ innovative capacity. Negative effects arise from the geographical separation between production and innovation, which interrupts the exchange of knowledge between the two parts of the company. Lower labour costs abroad may also prevent the company from investing in modern production technology in their home country. The paper shows, however, that these concerns are not justified. Offshoring companies have a higher percentage of design and R&D staff, introduce more new products and invest more strongly in modern process technologies than non-offshoring firms. Moreover, offshoring often goes hand in hand with expansion, which also benefits activities in the home country.
„Dynamic and stochastic vehicle routing is a novel problem class in transport optimisation, which combines an appropriate handling of dynamic events and the incorporation of stochastic information about possible future events“, explains AIT researcher Ulrike Ritzinger. The paper provides an overview of the recent literature in this area and supplements the classification according to available stochastic information by introducing a new classification based on the point in time when decisions are calculated. It analyses the difference in solution quality between purely dynamic or stochastic algorithms and combined (stochastic and dynamic) approaches. A graphical representation demonstrates the strength of the reviewed approaches incorporating dynamic and stochastic information. The study shows that the solution quality in route planning can be improved by incorporating stochastic information in dynamic decision processes.
Secure communication within corporate networks is a key issue for industry. While current approaches use symmetric cryptography, software-defined networks offer alternative options for secure transmission. Different strategies (in this case different communication paths within the network) can be applied to achieve maximum security for a specific communication between the sender and the receiver. An adversary may attack individual nodes along the communication path in the network. This paper describes the practical implementation of a software-defined overlay network that provides data delivery services with a freely definable and optimised quality of service (based on the security goals of confidentiality, availability and authenticity).
Dachs, B., Ebersberger, B., Kinkel, S. and Som, O.: The effects of production offshoring on R&D and innovation in the home country. Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, 42, 1, 9-31 (2015).
U. Ritzinger, J. Puchinger: AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Mobility Department, Dynamic Transportation Systems; R. F. Hartl: Department of Business Administration, University of Vienna. A survey on dynamic and stochastic vehicle routing problems.
S. Rass, B. Rainer, M. Vavti, J. Göllner, A. Peer, S. Schauer. “Secure Communication Over Software-Defined Net¬works”; Mobile Networks and Applications, 20 (2015), 1; S. 105 - 110. Imprint: Editor in chief: Michael H. Hlava, Production manager: Daniel Pepl, Editorial team: Nancy Brandt, Michaela Jungbauer, Zlata Kovacevic, Michael Mürling, Katharina Sabetzer. Please send your feedback to: presse@ait.ac.at