In the LowExTra research project, a novel, intelligent and democratic multi-conductor grid is to be developed. The goal is a grid that, in contrast to today’s supply and return grids, reacts flexibly to withdrawal and feed-in of different temperature levels. The overall goal of the project is to explore the feasibility of democratic multi-conductor grids from different perspectives. This involves technical, economic, political and participatory elements. Indirect models for the project are plans for smart grids. nexus will take on the participatory product development. To this end, focus groups are organised, workshops lasting several days are offered for research and development, and commercial and private tenants are surveyed. In addition, nexus is in charge of public relations for the project. Here, the focus is on the technical and visual communication of complex issues. The central challenge for communication and public relations work in the project is the very heterogeneous target groups. All stakeholders are to be reached via different channels and with different tonality. The project is funded within the 6th Energy Research Programme in the funding area “EnEff: Heat – Research for energy-efficient heating and cooling networks” of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Duration: 07/2014 – 12/2017
Client: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
Mitarbeiter*innen:
Dr. Angela Jain (Project management), Nicolas Bach, Sabine Schröder
Project homepage: www.lowextra.de
Project partner:
TU Berlin, Hermann-Rietschel-Institut, Institut für ökologische Wirtschaftsforschung gGmbH