Digital Grid Lab

In our Digital Grid Lab we can model distribution grids in the power range up to 800 kVA for low voltage with our new power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) simulator. The grid state and the digital communication system are simulated in the HIL system. This allows us to evaluate operational decisions and system changes beforehand.

The development environment allows the most modern control components to be designed e.g. on the basis of artificial intelligence. The control desk allows grid operation to be monitored and visualized and offers the connection with a digital twin grid (PHIL). 

With our powerful hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulator we model your decentralized energy system or power grid in a detailed form. Depending on the situation, we emulate parts of it in the laboratory with our power-HIL environment or integrate external signals via our grid control center. This allows us to evaluate operational decisions (e.g. switching operations) or system changes in advance.

Power-HIL tests simulate any grid connection points with power amplifiers in the laboratory. They allow the detailed investigation of e.g. switch-on processes or mains synchronization with grid simulators of up to 800 kVA.

The grid control center offers bidirectional connection of external systems with all typical communication standards.

For the conception and implementation of smart metering solutions, we offer an extensive test infrastructure as well as technical consulting services. Our experts work closely with SMGW manufacturers, gateway administrators (GWA) and distribution network operators (DSOs).

We support you during development and commissioning and integrate your components for interoperability and functional tests into our laboratory infrastructure or provide remote access depending on the application.

Before use at customers or in the field, you can test the electrical components (e.g. for intelligent household appliances) and controllers (e.g. energy management systems) developed by you under flexible connection and application conditions with us. With regard to their real behavior under different power system conditions, their effect on the power grid, and their reliability with different communicative connections (different protocols) will be evaluated.

For this purpose, we create a real test environment for you with our PHIL equipment and develop meaningful test scenarios together with you, which simulate normal use cases, but also real hardship cases.

These tests are rounded off by communication and conformity tests for various energy technology components.

Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles has numerous interfaces. In our Digital Grid Lab we simulate these with our hardware-in-the-loop simulator and evaluate your charging infrastructure. This starts with the communication to the vehicle according to ISO 15118 or IEC 62196.

Further communication channels are the connection to the local energy manager or external charge management. We evaluate the conformity with requirements by the network operator in the form of power and reactive power specifications as well as the behavior of your charging station in accordance with network connection guidelines.