The Institute for High Voltage Equipment and Grids, Digitalization and Energy Economics (IAEW) at RWTH Aachen University stands at the forefront of researching future energy supply systems to facilitate a successful energy transition.

At the chair for High Voltage Technology (HVT), we conduct research on the essential components of the future electrical power system that enable the transition to a climate-neutral society. We investigate individual technology components, relying on state-of-the-art laboratories for high-voltage experiments, and verify how they can be applied in the electrical power system using detailed simulation models and real-time hardware-in-the-loop experiments. Current key focus areas of the chair are primary technology such as DC switchgear, insulation systems, technologies for high-power transmission corridors and high-voltage direct current technology and grids.
The group benefits from extensive laboratory environments for characterizing materials and examining primary and secondary technology components.

The DC systems team, where the doctoral position is located, is researching DC systems as key enabling technologies for the large-scale integration of renewable energy sources such as offshore wind. This group is pioneering new protection and control methods for HVDC links and multi-terminal HVDC (MTDC) systems, up to large-scale offshore HVDC grids. We combine fundamental knowledge of power systems with state-of-the-art power system simulation and real-time hardware-in-the-loop environments. Research is performed from a fundamental level, inventing new methodologies, to application in the real-life power system in close collaboration with major industry players.