Sustainability

The automation of modern energy systems is a key area for increasing efficiency and sustainability. Our research group develops advanced control methods that aim to operate energy systems as efficiently as possible. Methods such as model predictive control (MPC), linear-quadratic control (LQR) and feedback linearisation enable precise and dynamic adaptation of systems to changing operating conditions. As a result, variances in the relevant process variables can be minimised and operation can be made stable and efficient.

The methods developed are implemented in processes from laboratory to industrial scale and applied in collaboration with scientific and industrial partners as part of research projects. This ensures practical relevance and enables the methods to be validated on real systems.

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Optimisation and Automation of Gas Production Plants

Synthetic natural gas production from biomass can be made more efficient and economical through innovative technological approaches. New modelling and control strategies enable automated and optimised operation for the production of synthetic natural gas. This can reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Projects: ADORe-SNG, EDCSproof, EmiL, HyStEPs

Control of Refrigerated Vehicles

With the help of advanced control concepts, refrigerated vehicles for the transport of perishable goods can be operated in such a way that both temperature specifications are precisely adhered to and energy consumption is minimised. This can significantly reduce the environmental impact of refrigerated transport.

Projects: ZETA, DiNaMiC, Conserve

Optimised Control of Gas Engines and Microgrids

Locally delimited electrical grids, so-called microgrids, are a means of efficiently and sustainably integrating renewable energy sources into our electricity supply. Optimisation-based control of microgrids and the assets they contain, such as gas engines, enables the best possible use of renewable energy generators while maintaining grid stability.

Projects: OptCom

Lösch, Maximilian, Stefan Jakubek, and Martin Kozek. "Experimental Evaluation of a 2DOF Controller for a Novel Multi-Temperature Transport System, opens an external URL in a new window." IEEE Access (2025).

Lösch, Maximilian, Stefan Jakubek, and Martin Kozek. "Decoupling control of a cascaded heat pump system for multi-temperature transport, opens an external URL in a new window." Thermal Science and Engineering Progress (2025): 103612.

Poks, Agnes, Alexander Schirrer, and Martin Kozek. "Energy Management in Refrigerated Electric Small Transport: A Hierarchical Approach., opens an external URL in a new window" IEEE Access (2024).

Stanger, Lukas, Alexander Bartik, Martin Hammerschmid, Stefan Jankovic, Florian Benedikt, Stefan Müller, Alexander Schirrer, Stefan Jakubek, and Martin Kozek. "Model predictive control of a dual fluidized bed gasification plant., opens an external URL in a new window" Applied Energy 361 (2024): 122917.

Riedler, Thomas, Benjamin Franz, Martin Kozek, Johannes Huber, Simon Bachler, and Stefan Jakubek. "Isolated microgrid frequency stabilization through nonlinear model predictive control of a gas engine generator set., opens an external URL in a new window" International Journal of Engine Research (2024): 14680874241296932.

Stanger, Lukas, Alexander Bartik, Matthias Binder, Alexander Schirrer, Stefan Jakubek, and Martin Kozek. "Gaussian Process Regression-Based Control of Solids Circulation Rate in Dual Fluidized Bed Gasification., opens an external URL in a new window" IEEE Access (2024).

Stanger, Lukas, Alexander Schirrer, Florian Benedikt, Alexander Bartik, Stefan Jankovic, Stefan Müller, and Martin Kozek. "Dynamic modeling of dual fluidized bed steam gasification for control design., opens an external URL in a new window" Energy 265 (2023): 126378.

Lösch, Maximilian, Markus Fallmann, Agnes Poks, and Martin Kozek. "Simulation-based sizing of a secondary loop cooling system for a refrigerated vehicle., opens an external URL in a new window" Energies 16, no. 18 (2023): 6459.

Fallmann, Markus, Agnes Poks, and Martin Kozek. "Control-oriented hybrid model of a small-scale refrigerated truck chamber., opens an external URL in a new window" Applied Thermal Engineering 220 (2023): 119719, ISSN 2451-9049

Fallmann, Markus, Maximilian Lösch, Agnes Poks, and Martin Kozek. "Energy-efficient hybrid model predictive control of mobile refrigeration systems., opens an external URL in a new window" Applied Thermal Engineering 235 (2023): 121347.

Fuhrmann, Florian, Alexander Schirrer, and Martin Kozek. "Model-predictive energy management system for thermal batch production processes using online load prediction., opens an external URL in a new window" Computers & Chemical Engineering 163 (2022): 107830.

Poks, Agnes, Elisabeth Luchini, Markus Fallmann, Camillo Signor, Andreas Wurzinger, Dominik Radler, Stefan Jakubek, and Martin Kozek. "Distributed hierarchical control for multiple refrigeration units., opens an external URL in a new window" Thermal Science and Engineering Progress 33 (2022): 101319, ISSN 2451-9049

Fuhrmann, Florian, Alexander Schirrer, and Martin Kozek. "Model-predictive energy management system for thermal batch production processes using online load prediction., opens an external URL in a new window" Computers & Chemical Engineering 163 (2022): 107830, ISSN 0098-1354

Pernsteiner, Dominik, Alexander Schirrer, Lukas Kasper, René Hofmann, and Stefan Jakubek. "State estimation concept for a nonlinear melting/solidification problem of a latent heat thermal energy storage., opens an external URL in a new window" Computers & Chemical Engineering 153 (2021): 107444.

Fuhrmann, Martin, Nikolaus Euler-Rolle, Michaela Killian, Markus Reinwald, and Stefan Jakubek. "Longitudinal tunnel ventilation control. Part 2: Non-linear observation and disturbance rejection., opens an external URL in a new window" Control Engineering Practice 63 (2017): 44-56, ISSN 0967-0661

Euler-Rolle, Nikolaus, Martin Fuhrmann, Markus Reinwald, and Stefan Jakubek. "Longitudinal tunnel ventilation control. Part 1: Modelling and dynamic feedforward control., opens an external URL in a new window" Control Engineering Practice 63 (2017): 91-103, ISSN 0967-0661

Killian, M., B. Mayer, and M. Kozek. "Effective fuzzy black-box modeling for building heating dynamics., opens an external URL in a new window" Energy and Buildings 96 (2015): 175-186.

Mayer, Barbara, Michaela Killian, and Martin Kozek. "Management of hybrid energy supply systems in buildings using mixed-integer model predictive control., opens an external URL in a new window" Energy conversion and management 98 (2015): 470-483.

Brandstetter, Markus, Alexander Schirrer, Maja Miletić, Sawsan Henein, Martin Kozek, and Friederich Kupzog. "Hierarchical predictive load control in smart grids, opens an external URL in a new window." IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid 8, no. 1 (2015): 190-199.

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