The Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems (ACS) at RWTH Aachen is one of the four institutes of the E.ON Energy Research Centers founded in 2006. The institute pursues a multidisciplinary research approach and addresses, among other things, questions regarding the monitoring of active electrical distribution networks as well as the appropriate automation architecture for distributed monitoring and control functions. ACS is unique in its composition of experts in the energy, as well as information and communication sectors. This interdisciplinary nature of the chair has led to various preliminary work on IT solutions for energy-related issues.

ACS has been leading research on standardized automation architectures for active electrical distribution networks in European projects as well as on data-driven monitoring structures. Thanks to the competencies in the areas of monitoring, energy systems, and control, the chair is researching solutions for distribution networks automation, state estimation and control, including agent-based solutions. Another focus is the interface between energy and information technology, in particular for data aggregation and analysis to obtain insight.

As part of CyberNEMO, ACS contributes expertise in the areas of high-performance computing, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. ACS is actively involved in intrusion prevention, detection and mitigation solutions, whereby novel concepts in machine learning and knowledge representation are leveraged to protect critical infrastructures.