Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tobias Plessing

On 1.03.2013, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tobias Plessing took over the teaching area "Energy Technology" at the Faculty of Engineering. Prof. Dr. Plessing studied mechanical engineering with a specialisation in thermal engineering at RWTH Aachen University. In the following years, he worked at the Institute of Mechanics as a research assistant in the field of combustion diagnostics. During this time, he was involved in various DFG and EU research projects in the field of basic research on technical combustion, including research into flameless oxidation (FLOX). In addition, he was involved in contract research for industrial companies, which also resulted in a patent application. He wrote his doctoral thesis on "Laser optical investigations of turbulent transport and reaction processes in premixed flames" as part of a collaborative project with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in California. He began his career in industry at Philips Licht GmbH, where he was responsible for the energy optimisation of the production of halogen lamps as a development engineer. He then moved to the French building materials group Saint-Gobain, where he worked in the flat glass division in development and international sales for highly transparent glass for the solar industry (photovoltaics and solar thermal), among other things, and later headed the facade glass division for large projects. Before his appointment, Prof. Dr. Plessing was managing director at the medium-sized flat glass company Interpane in Lauenförde and at f|solar GmbH in Osterweddingen. Since 2014, he has successively expanded his research group "Innovative Thermal Systems Technology" at Hof University of Applied Sciences to include 6 academic staff. His research activities began with solar ice storage systems. Through the use of biomass for local heating, he has continued to deepen his research activities in the area of the generation of renewable energies using biomass and has formed a research focus here, which has also resulted in cooperation with Indian partner universities. In particular, he is involved with the construction of the zwe building at Hof University of Applied Sciences and its scientific use (including large-scale heat storage with solar thermal use). From 2015 to 2021, he was dean at the Faculty of Engineering. Prof. Plessing has been Chairman of the hlb Landesverband Bayern since April 2017. Prof. Plessing is scientific director of the Institute for Water and Energy Management since 2020.

• Gradel, A.; Plessing, T.: Wasserstoff aus Biomasse – Chancen und Herausforderungen, BMWi-Statuskonferenz Bioenergie, 29. November 2021
• Plessing, T.; Honke, R.; Sharma, T.: Comparison of system performance of different types of Ice-battery for cooling applications in industries, in: Advances in Thermofluids and Renewable Energy, Springer,, 2021, ISBN: 978-981-16-3496-3  
• Plessing, T.; Gradel, A.: Recent Trends in Biomass Gasification in Germany., in: Advances in Thermofluids and Renewable Energy, Springer,, 2021, ISBN: 978-981-16-3496-3, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-3497-0
• Gradel, A.; Wünning, J.A.; Plessing, T.; Jess, A.: „Flexible und wartungsarme Vergasung von Biomasse durch integrierte Adsorption von Teerkomponenten“, in: Die energetische Nutzung naturbelassener fester Biomasse, Springer Vieweg, Wiesbaden, 2021, ISBN: 978-3-658-33496-3, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-33497-0 
• Gradel, A.; Wünning, J.; Plessing, T.; Jess, A.: Flexible und wartungsarme Vergasung von Biomasse durch integrierte Adsorption von Teerkomponenten, DECHEMA Jahrestreffen der ProcessNet-Fachgruppe "Hochtemperaturtechnik", 2021 (Vortrag)
• Sharma, T.; Kreuzer, M.; Dölz, M.; Plessing, T: Validation of numerical and experimental behaviour of a flat plate ice-battery, RET.Con, Nordhausen, 2021 (Vortrag + Tagungsbandeintrag)
• Kreuzer, M.; Stark, O.; Plessing, T.; Mank, V.; Pels Leusden, C.: Weiterführende Untersuchungen am PVT-Isolierglaskollektor, RET.Con, Nordhausen, 2021 (Vortrag + Tagungsbandeintrag)
• Gradel, A.; Wünning, J.; Plessing, T.; Jess, A.: Adsorption of Naphthalene on Activated Wood Charcoal Derived from Biomass Gasification, Chem. Eng. & Tech., 2021, https://doi.org/10.1002/ceat.201900632
• Plessing, T.; Gradel, A.; Recent Trends in Biomas Gasification in Germany, TFRE Conference 2020, Arunachal Pradesh, Indien (Vortrag).
• Sharma, T.; Plessing, T.; Comparison of system performance of different types of Ice-battery for cooling applications in industries, TFRE Conference 2020, Arunachal Pradesh, Indien (Vortrag).
• Sharma, T; Plessing, T; Honke, R.: Application of ice-battery for cooling processes in industries, 10th Energy Colloquium of the Munich School of Engineering 2020 (Vortrag & Poster).
• Gradel, A; Wünning, J.A.; Plessing, T.; Jess, A.: Flexible und wartungsarme Vergasung von Biomasse durch integrierte Adsorption von Teerkomponenten, Young Academics Conference, Zittau/Görlitz, 2020 (Vortrag)
• Heinrich, M.; Gradel, A.; Honke, R.; Plessing, T.: Optimierung der thermochemischen Vergasung von Biomasse durch brennstoffspezifsche Prozesssimulation, Young Academics Conference, Zittau/Görlitz, 2020 (Vortrag)
• Hofmann, C.; Heinrich, M.; Plessing, T.: Betriebsanalyse eines holzhackschnitzelbefeuerten Nahwärmenetzes, Tagungsband: RET.Con – 3. Regenerative Energietechnik Konferenz , Nordhausen, 2020
• Kreuzer, M.; Stark, O.; Plessing, T.: Entwicklung eines abgedeckten PVT-Isolierglaskollektors, Tagungsband: RET.Con – 3. Regenerative Energietechnik Konferenz , Nordhausen, 2020
• Stark, O.; Kreuzer, M.; Paulini, S.; Plessing, T.: Entwicklung eines PVT-Isolierglaskollektors – Aufbau eines Energieversorgungssystems aus Wärmepumpe und Eisspeicher, Klimaschutzkonferenz der Metropolregion Nürnberg, Bayreuth, 2020 (Poster)
• Gradel, A; Wünning, J.A.; Plessing, T.; Jess, A.: Teerarme Vergasung von Biomasse durch Adsorption an prozesseigene Aktivkohle, Klimaschutzkonferenz der Metropolregion Nürnberg, Bayreuth, 2020 (Poster)
• Gradel, A; Wünning, J.A.; Plessing, T.; Jess, A.: Clean Gasification of Biomass with Integrated Tar Adsorption, Tagungsband: DGMK – Cicular Economy – A fresh View on Petrochemistry, Dresden, 2019
• Gradel, A; Wünning, J.A.; Plessing, T.; Jess, A.: Teerarme Vergasung von Biomasse durch Adsorption an prozesseigene Aktivkohle, Fachkongress Holzenergie, Würzburg, 2019 (Vortrag)
• Gradel, A; Honke, R; Wünning, J.A.; Plessing, T.; Jess, A: Modelling of biomass gasification in a downdraft gasifier with integrated tar adsorption. Chemical Engineering & Technology,2019, doi.org/10.1002/ceat.201800640
• Paulini, S.; Plessing, T.,  Modelling and validation of ice growth in an ice storage system. International Sustainable Energy Conference, Graz, 2018 (Poster)
• Kätzel, A., Plessing, T., Realistic long term investigations on solar ice-storage systems over one heating period, iSEnEC, Nürnberg, 2018 (Vortrag)
• Paulini, S., Plessing, T, Brüggemann, D..,  Untersuchung verschiederner Varianten zum Wärmeeintrag in einen solaren Eisspeicher durch CFD-Simulation und Validierung mit Modellaufbauten, Solarthermie-Symposium Bad Staffelstein, 2018 (Poster)
• Paulini, S., Plessing, T, Brüggemann, D..,  Untersuchung verschiederner Varianten zum Wärmeeintrag in einen solaren Eisspeicher durch CFD-Simulation und Validierung mit Modellaufbauten, RETCON, Nordhausen, 2018 (Vortrag)
• Paulini, S.; Plessing, T., Brüggemann, D., Modelling and validation of ice growth in an ice storage system. Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, 2018, doi.org/10.17265/1934-8975/2018.07.005 
• Gradel, A., Honke, R., Wünning, J., Plessing, T. and Jess, A., Numerical modelling of downdraft gasification processes, Jahrestreffen Reaktionstechnik, Würzburg, 2018, (Poster)
• Gradel, A., Honke, R., Wünning, J., Plessing, T. and Jess, A., Numerical modelling of downdraft gasification processes, iSEnEC, Nürnberg, 2018 (Vortrag)
• Gradel, A., Honke, R., Wünning, J., Plessing, T. and Jess, A., Numerische Simulation thermochemischer Vergasungsprozesse, Biomass to Power and Heat, Zittau, 2018 (Poster
• Paulini, S.; Kätzel, A.; Plessing, T., Untersuchung verschiedener Varianten zum Wärmeeintrag in einen solaren Eisspeicher durch CFD-Simulation und Validierung mit Modellaufbauten. 27. Symposium Thermische Solarenergie, Bad Staffelstein, 10.-12.05.2017. (Poster)
• Kätzel, A., Plessing, T., Vergleichende Untersuchungen an solaren Eisspeicher-Systemen mit unterschiedlichen Wärmetauschergeometrien, Solarthermie-Symposium Bad Staffelstein, 2016 (Poster)
• Plessing, T., Weihs J.,New standard in pv industry: solar float glass with antireflective coating, Verre VOL.15 N°6 • DÉCEMBRE 2009
• de Goey, L. P. H., Plessing, T., Herrmanns, R. T. E. and Peters, N. (2005). Analysis of the Flame Thickness of Turbulent Flamelets in the Thin Reaction Zones Regime, Proc. Combust. Inst. Vol. 30, 859-866.
• Kortschik, C., Plessing, T. and Peters, N. (2004). Laser optical investigation of turbulent transport of temperature ahead of the preheat zone in a premixed flame, Combustion and Flame 136, 43-50.
• Sheperd, I. G., Cheng, R. K., Plessing, T., Kortschik, C. and Peters N.,(2002) N. Premixed Flame Front Structure in Intense Turbulence, Proc. Combust. Inst. Vol. 29, 1833-1840
• Plessing, T., Kortschik, C., Peters, N., Mansour, M. S. and Cheng, R. K. (2000). Measurements of the Turbulent Burning Velocity and the Structure of Premixed Flames on a Low Swirl Burner, Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, Vol. 28, 359-366.
• Plessing, T. and Mansour, M. S. and Peters, N. and Cheng, R. K. (1999). Ein neuartiger Niedrigdrallbrenner zur Untersuchung turbulenter Vormischflammen, VDI Bericht 1492, 457-462.
• Plessing, T. und Peters, N. und Wünning, J. G. (1998). Laseroptische Untersuchungen der flammlosen Oxidation mittels zweidimensionaler Rayleighthermometrie und OH-LIPF, VDI Bericht, 537-542.
•  Plessing, T. and Terhoeven, P. and Peters, N. and M. Mansour (1998). An Experimental and Numerical Study of a Laminar Triple Flame, Combustion and Flame 115, 335-353.
• Plessing, T. and Peters, N. and Wünning, J. G. (1998). Laseroptical investigation of Highly preheated combustion with strong exhaust gas recirculation, 27th Symposium (International) on Combustion, The Combustion Institute, 3197-3204.

Research Group "Innovative Heat System Technology 

Focal points:

• Energetic biomass utilisation
• Regenerative local and district heating networks
• Innovative building and district concepts
• Solar ice storage systems in heating and cooling applications

• ADerN - Expansion and Digitisation of Efficient Renewable Local Heating Networks

The project "Expansion and Digitisation of Efficient Renewable Local Heating Networks (ADerN)", funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), networks technology providers, planning offices, operators and users under the central theme of "local heating networks" and strengthens the transfer of knowledge between universities and companies. In further training measures, participants from the network are to be trained in new technologies and innovative possibilities in the field of local heating technology and brought up to the current state of the art.

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• InEs - Innovative energy supply system for a commercial district in transition

In the project funded by the 7th Energy Research Programme of the Federal Government, a networked concept is to be created on the site of the former Winterling porcelain factory together with the neighbouring companies STELLA KERAMIK and Hagold by means of joint heat and storage utilisation in order to enable the continued use of the Winterling site.  

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• OpToKNuS - Optimisation Toolbox for Wood Gasification Plants with Kinetic Numerical Simulation

The aim is to further develop a numerical simulation of a thermochemical gasification process. This is to kinetically map the influence of different biogenic fuels or different fuel properties and to be validated on the basis of a laboratory and a practical plant.

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• PuLaMa - Local heating from renewable fuels

The aim of the project is to develop an interface together with Bioenergie Nordhalben, according to which the control of the wood chip boiler recognises the current heat demand of the consumers. The type of connections and the operating modes of the consumers can be very diverse. Based on this, the output of the circulation pump of the heating network and the output of the wood chip boiler are to be adjusted in order to reduce network and storage losses in the boiler house.

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At the site in Münchberg, the energy laboratory is located in the old spinning mill (room S009).

The following devices are available there:

• Heat pump test stand for evaluating solar ice storage systems.
• Ice storage test stand
• Heat pump training stand
• Solar thermal training stand
• PV training stand
• Biomass gasifier
• Gas analysis for wood gas
• Tar measurement technology
• Refrigeration chamber for testing and evaluating cooling systems