Birgit Schachler has been working as a researcher in the research unit Transformation of Energy Systems at RLI since February 2014. The main focus of her work lies on grid planning of distribution and transmission grids as well as techno-economic assessment of flexibility options to integrate renewables and new consumers. In various research projects, Birgit analyzed, amongst others, the economic and grid supportive utilization of battery storage systems and different reactive power supply options. Additionally, she examined the optimal utilization of small flexibilities such as electric vehicles and heat pumps in an integrated approach considering all voltage levels. Furthermore, she gained practical experience in the integration and operation of a large storage system in a distribution grid.

Birgit holds a master’s degree in Energy and Process Engineering from TU Berlin. During her studies, she specialized in thermal power plants and spent one year as a guest student at the University of Iceland, studying geothermal power generation. In her master's thesis, she analyzed the use of combined heat and power plants in an energy system with increasing shares of renewable energy.