A major area of research is the modelling and optimization of electrical energy generation, transmission and distribution under technical, ecological and economical considerations. The spectrum covers all related topics starting from e.g., power supply in automotives, the design of electromagnetic energy converters, up to intercontinental power systems and power economics. Special emphasis is put on system integration of renewable energies, e.g., wind and solar power and future power systems with increased dispersed generation, electric vehicles, electronic converters and information technologies (“smart grids“).

The worldwide increasing demand for electrical energy both in rural areas as well as in so called mega-cities and in industrial areas is another challenge for research on materials and devices being able to cope with the high power density, i.e., insulation materials, over-voltage protection and high currents in circuit breakers and power electronics.

The field of competence “Energy and Environment” has considerable competence in developing new electrical machines for electricity generation and for various kinds of drive applications. Key is the use of novel materials, such as high energy perma­nent magnets and powder metallurgy to construct high efficiency and high power density electrical machines. Complementary to this field a high fo­cus research activity is concentrating on innovative power circuits, improved power electronic compo­nents and component technologies. Recently, the existing research capacity on batteries and battery technology has been increased in order to open up new perspectives for innovative, environmentally friendly energy storage systems.

In all these research activities extensive use is made of mathematical modelling tools on high speed computer systems and of various test facilities. The faculty regards this interaction between modelling, testing and experimental verification as one of its strong key competence.

Energy research was further empowered by estab­lishing the E.ON Energy Research Centre at RWTH Aachen University to which the faculty contributes professorships.

A close cooperation exists with almost all worldwide leading industrial partners and governmental authorities in the energy-, motordrives- and power electronic sector as well as with the automotive industry including the suppliers. Together with the Research Centre for Electrical Systems and Power Economics (Forschungsgemeinschaft für Elektrische Anlagen und Stromwirtschaft FGH e.V., Mannheim) as an affiliated institute, more than 200 employees form the basis of the renowned ‘Competence Centre for Electrical Power Engineering and Environmental Protection’, which is perceived as one of the largest electrical energy research groups in Europe and worldwide.