Under the direction of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences with the project partners Ingenieurbüro Pfeffer, JEAN MÜLLER, QGroup, Tractebel and House of Energy, the realistic laboratory was set up to test active control processes in the smart grid and all the necessary functionalities under real-life conditions. Issues relating to grid stability and security of supply as well as data security and resilience were on the agenda.
The Smart Grid LAB Hessen was set up on the premises of Ingenieurbüro Pfeffer in Rödermark. Here, a physical replica of what the "street of the future" looks like in a residential area was created. The performance data was measured and evaluated in the smart grid of the real-world laboratory and used to control the energy flows. The LAB demonstrates the dynamic, efficient and secure energy infrastructure of the future. It is adaptable and can also represent and analyze grid situations in other countries.
To ensure the highest possible level of protection for all processes and sensitive data, the project also focused on analyzing data security. All energy sources and consumption were modeled on real-life examples. This meant that even challenging grid situations could be simulated safely.
Although the project's funding period from December 2020 to the end of March 2023 coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic and unexpected challenges arose as a result, the research team managed to set up the Smart Grid LAB Hessen and develop scenarios for it.
Above all, the interdisciplinary collaboration between the areas of research, engineering and IT security has opened the eyes of all partners. The views and working methods of the individual areas and partners could be brought to a common denominator. This is absolutely essential for the success of the energy transition and sector coupling. The Smart Grid Lab Hessen project thus provided important answers for the practical introduction of the smart grid, and the results were used to derive requirements for the Hessian distribution grid.
Click here for the results brochure
We would like to thank all partners and participants who contributed to the success of the project.