Tobias Kopp

Who are you and what is your research topic?
My name is Tobias Kopp and I am a research assistant at the Institute for High Voltage Technology and Electrical Power Systems at the TU Braunschweig. I’m working on switching and protection concepts for electrical power supply.

Which research question are you working on?
Our research focus is, together with colleagues from the power electronics industry, to ensure that no faults occur during the operation of new electronic devices in aviation. Furthermore, if they occur, how to eliminate them as quickly as possible. We are doing our part to ensure the safety of all persons in the future aircraft generations.  The special challenge is the power supply with direct currents and high voltages.

What inspires you about your research?
New and interesting questions which can be solved by different research fields of physics, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

Why is your topic relevant for future aviation?
New flexibility in flight operations, payload increase and sustainable CO2 savings up to a neutral CO2 balance are made possible by aircraft with a higher degree of electrification (so-called "More Electric Aircraft" and "All Electric Aircraft"). The use of direct current systems is important for the successful implementation of these concepts, it is comparable with a key technology for the entire “Energiewende” in the aviation. Ensuring safe operation can determine the usability of this technology.

What is special about participating in the interdisciplinary research network SE²A?
Thanks to many differently trained researchers, SE²A can clearly formulate the boundary conditions for our research. Furthermore, due to the interdisciplinary approach, unconventional solutions are also discussed in different working groups, they enable completely new research approaches.