Under the direction of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences with the project partners Ingenieurbüro Pfeffer, JEAN MÜLLER, QGroup, Tractebel and House of Energy, the real lab was set up to test active control procedures in the smart grid and all the necessary functionalities under practical conditions. Questions regarding grid stability and supply security as well as data security and resilience were on the agenda.
The Smart Grid LAB Hessen was set up on the site of Ingenieurbüro Pfeffer in Rödermark. Here, a physical replica was created of what the "street of the future" would look like in a residential area. The performance data was measured and evaluated in the smart grid of the real laboratory and used to control the energy flows. As a model, the LAB demonstrates the dynamic, efficient, and safe energy infrastructure of the future. It is adaptable and can also represent and analyse grid situations in other countries.
To ensure the highest possible protection for all processes and sensitive data, another focus in the project was on analysing data security. All energy sources and consumptions were modelled on real examples. This meant that even challenging network situations could be simulated without risk.
Although the project, with its funding period from December 2020 to the end of March 2023, fell into the period marked by Covid-19 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 cooperation between the areas of research, engineering and IT security 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 necessary for the successful completion 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 prerequisites for the Hessian distribution grid were derived from the results.
Click here for the brochure (only available in German)
We would like to thank all partners and participants who contributed to the success of the project.
