Digital transformation in the energy and mobility sector (DITEM)
Course registration for the Winter Semester 2025/2026 opens on October 1st, 2025! You can join the waitlist directly on StudOn. No application text is required.
Everyone will remain on the waitlist until one week before the course begins. At that time, students will be registered from the waitlist. Please keep in mind that being on the waitlist does not guarantee a spot in the course.
Please note: This course has been very popular in the past. We will do our best to accommodate as many students as possible while ensuring fairness. Submitting long applications or sending multiple emails to the DITEM staff will not improve your chances of getting a spot.
This course is held in English.
Contents
The module covers the role of Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) in the energy transition towards a more sustainable energy production and consumption, with a particular focus on energy efficiency, the integration of renewable energy sources into the electric grid, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The interdisciplinary module covers fundamental technical principles of conventional and renewable energy generation and sustainable energy consumption, assesses the role of ICT in the ongoing energy transition, and evaluates economic and societal challenges and implications of the approaches covered.
Specific topics include:
– Fundamentals of energy generation and consumption
– Conventional and distributed power generation
– Introduction to energy markets and economic aspects
– Smart grid and smart metering infrastructures, virtual power plants, energy communities
– Wireless technologies and their impact on future mobility and energy networks
– Demand side management and home automation
– Changing consumer behavior with smart ICT
– Smart heating, electric mobility
At the beginning of the course, fundamental principles of energy generation and consumption are taught, so that students without prior knowledge in the field of energy can successfully participate in the course.
NEW: Passing two ungraded short tests during the semester is mandatory for the successful completion of the module, in addition to passing the written exam at the end of the semester.
The module is designed to enable participants to
- explain the basic physical and technical principles of energy generation and power grids and apply them in calculations
- state, explain, and evaluate the necessity as well as challenges associated with the integration of renewable energies
- name components of a smart grid and explain their function
- explain fundamental market mechanisms (energy economics)
- understand and be able to explain the roles and intentions of the actors in the electricity market
- examine components, market mechanisms and regulatory measures with regard to their costs, benefits and risks and critically assess evaluation approaches
- explain the possibilities of information systems for the reduction of energy consumption in the field of indoor climate/heating and to evaluate them
- explain the central components, variables, requirements and challenges of electromobility and explain how information systems can contribute to solving these challenges
| Recommended prerequisites | None |
| Time and room | Lecture: Tuesday 10:15-11:45, H13 Johann-Radon-Hörsaal, Cauerstraße 11, Erlangen exercise session: Tuesday 12:15-13:45, H14 Bernhard-Ilschner-Hörsaal (0.61), Martensstraße 5-7, Erlangen |
| Method of examination | Written examination (90 minutes) |
| Grading procedure | Written examination (100 %) |
| Module frequency | winter term |
| Workload | Lecture and exercise sessions: 50h Self-study: 100h |
| Module duration | 1 Semester |
| Teaching and examination language | English |
| (Recommended) reading | Will be announced in class |