Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

Fraunhofer ISE's TestLab Power Electronics - Test Setup

© Fraunhofer ISE

TestLab Power Electronics - Measurement Equipment

© Fraunhofer ISE

Fraunhofer ISE's Outdoor Test Field

in Dürbheim / Baden-Württemberg, Germany

© Fraunhofer ISE

Fraunhofer ISE's Mobile LVRT Test Container

for Low Voltage Ride Through tests up to 4.5 MVA

© Fraunhofer ISE

Interior View of the LVRT Test Container

© Fraunhofer ISE

Testing of a Cogeneration Unit

on Fraunhofer ISE's outdoor test field

© Fraunhofer ISE

TestLab Power Electronics

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Power electronic circuits are crucial connections between power generators, storage and consumers. Utmost efficiency, quality, and compliance with standards are decisive for them to be used affordably and be accepted in the market.

For our customers we characterize PV inverters, battery inverters, CHP, DC / DC converters, unidirectional and bidirectional chargers and module integrated electronics from watt to megawatt range. Our experience and modern, comprehensive lab equipment allow us to study the efficiency of your devices to see whether they comply with applicable standards and guidelines. Our experts provide you with a comprehensive assessment of the test outcome.

Detailed simulations of power electronics are indispensable for developing systems today. We provide support and services in the field of simulation and modeling of single components like PV inverters or CHP as well as entire PV parks, for example.

In cooperation with international certification bodies, we provide testing of power generating units connected to the medium voltage grid according to diverse grid codes and network guidelines. In addition to the German BDEW guidelines, we also have experience with the Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Romanian and several other supply directives.

The TestLab Power Electronics is accredited according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018.


Scope of Accreditation

  • FGW TR 3, Rev. 25 *(2018-09)
    Determination of electrical characteristics of power generating units and systems connected to MV, HV and EHV grids
  • FGW TR 4, Rev. 9 * (2019-02)
    Demands on Modelling and Validating Simulation Models of the Electrical Characteristics of Power Generating Units and Systems
  • DIN EN 61400-21 (2009-06)
     Wind turbines - Part 21: Measurement and assessment of power quality characteristics of grid connected wind turbines
  • DIN EN 61683 (2000-08)
    Photovoltaic systems - Power conditioners - Procedure for measuring efficiency
  • DIN EN 50530 * (2013-12)
    Overall efficiency of grid-connected photovoltaic inverters
  • DIN VDE V 0124-100 (2012-07)
    Grid integration of generator plants - Low-voltage - Test requirements for generator units to be connected to and operated in parallel with low-voltage distribution network (without chapter 5.4.6)
  • TLPE-HV-001, Rev. 1.0 (2016-03)
    Determination of the conversion efficiency of bidirectional inverters based on DIN EN 50530 (2013-12)
  • TLPE-HV-002, Rev. 1.0 (2016-03)
    Determination of the active and reactive power of bidirectional inverters based on the TR3 (Rev. 24)
  • TLPE-HV-003, Rev. 1.0 (2016-03)
    Determination of the Frequency-Active Power Performance (P(f)) of bidirectional inverters based on the TR3 (Rev. 24)
  • TLPE-HV-004, Rev. 1.0 (2021-05)
    Differential impedance spectroscopy - Determination of the frequency-dependent output impedance and internal harmonic voltage sources of power generation units
  • DIN EN 62116 * (2014-11)
    Utility-interconnected photovoltaic inverters – Test procedure of islanding prevention measures (IEC 62116:2014)

For the test methods marked with *, the testing laboratory is permitted to use the standardized test methods listed here, or those equivalent to them, with different editions, without requiring prior information and approval from DAkkS.
The testing laboratory has an up-to-date list of all test methods in the flexible accreditation scope.


Scope of Measurements

  • Measurement of PV inverters based on various international grid codes (Germany, Italy*, Spain*, China* and other countries*)
  • Conversion and MPPT efficiency
  • On-site field measurements for power plants (e.g. wind, pv parks, etc.) 
  • Measurement of CHP and combustion engines on various international feed-in regulations (Germany, Italy*, Spain*, China* and other countries*)
  • Measurement and characterization of battery inverters and other power electronic components
  • Measurement of the output impedance of inverters by means of impedance spectroscopy
  • Testing of Arc Fault Detectors with Arcing Simulator (Ball & Ring Method and Replay Method)
  • Measurement on devices with low voltage and medium voltage connection

*For certification measurements in cooperation with an external accredited certifier.


Special Lab Equipment

Details about the laboratory equipment can be found here.


Simulation Services

  • Generation and validation of inverter models for certification processes (e.g. according to FGW-TG4)
  • Detailed simulation of PV power plants for performance analysis and troubleshooting


Simulation and Analysis Software

  • MATLAB®/Simulink®, PLECS®
  • DigSILENT PowerFactory
  • Evaluation tools for inverter models
  • Software tools for harmonic and LVRT analysis

 

Steffen Eyhorn

Contact Press / Media

Steffen Eyhorn

TestLab Power Electronics

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-5957

Roland Singer

Contact Press / Media

Roland Singer

Converter based Power Grids

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-5948

Frank Weichelt

Contact Press / Media

Frank Weichelt

Appointment Scheduling, Logistics, Quality Management

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-5889

TestLab Power Electronics News

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  • New Multi-Megawatt Laboratory Demonstrates Operational Readiness with a 2.5 Megawatt Device under Test

    October 17, 2019

    Testing a solar inverter
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    In the future electricity grid, inverters must assume greater responsibility for the grid stability due to higher feed-in of fluctuating renewables. In Freiburg at the new multi-megawatt laboratory of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, power electronic devices are developed and tested according to these new functionalities. A few weeks after officially opening the new lab building in North Freiburg, a solar inverter with a nominal power of 2.5 megawatts and a maximum DC voltage of 1500 volts was tested in the accredited TestLab Power Electronics.

    more info

  • Press Release #18 / 2019

    Power Electronics for the Energy Transformation

    July 04, 2019

    Tour of the new laboratory center
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    On July 4, 2019, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg officially inaugurates its new Center for Power Electronics and Sustainable Grids. With a propriety connection to the 110 kV high-voltage grid and 40 MVA transformer, the new center offers a worldwide unique research infrastructure which enables it to meet the growing demands on power electronics, a key technology for the energy system transformation.

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  • Measuring campaign „Zukunftskraftwerk PV“ (PV Power Plant of the Future) in TestLab Power Electronics

    December 14, 2017

    Zentrale Steuerung
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    The central activity of TestLab Power Electronics is the measurement and characterization of electronic power feed units for industrial customers. The spectrum ranges from solar inverters over battery converters to cogeneration units. Voltage drop tests, feed guideline reviews or efficiency degree measurements represent typical application scenarios. In meetings with customers, our test engineers discuss individual requests and needs and find tailor-made solutions. To retain such a degree of versatility and flexibility, our personnel must be expertly trained, and we must regularly look beyond our own nose.

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  • Flexible AC/DC simulator for devices up to 600 kW

    June 28, 2017

    AC/DC-Simulator im TestLab Power Electronics
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    In addition to highly precise measuring equipment, a customized activation for tests of inverters and grid integration and of the power electronics in general is extremely important. That is why TestLab Power Electronics has a direct connection to the medium-voltage power grid, solar simulators up to 1.4 MW as well as an outdoor test field in which inverters and cogeneration units of the multi megawatt class can be operated.

    more info

  • Accredited Laboratory for Battery Inverters – The TestLab Power Electronics (TLPE) sets new standards for the measurement of voltage converters for battery storage systems

    November 02, 2016

    Measurement equipment at the TestLab Power Electronics
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    While testing standards for decentralized feeders like PV systems, CHP units or wind parks have existed for a long time, the boundary conditions for battery grid connection are not yet clearly defined. The TestLab Power Electronics at Fraunhofer ISE has taken on the task to propel the development of appropriate guidelines in order to support the emerging market of battery storage plants from the begin on.

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  • Two-Year Review of CHP Measurements based on TR3 Guidelines

    May 15, 2016

    Test engineers perform CHP measurements at the outdoor testing site
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    Since 2014 the Fraunhofer ISE Test Lab Power Electronics offers measurements on combined heat and power plants (CHPs) as part of its services. This complements their many years of experience with certification measurements on photovoltaic inverters. Fraunhofer ISE has the measurement equipment as well as the infrastructure to carry out certification measurements in their laboratory as well as in situ. For the in situ measurements, a mobile low-voltage ride through (LVRT) test container is put into use, which can measure units of up to 4.5 MVA. Measurements can be performed at the Institute’s outdoor testing field or at the CHP location depending on the client’s needs.

    more info
The TestLab Power Electronics is accredited by the DAkkS, Germany’s national accreditation body, according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 to perform studies on inverters and other components (e.g. battery inverter, CHP, etc.). Performance ranges: DC power: 2.4 MW, AC power: 10 MVA.