Greener, Smarter, Better Connected Grids: Innovation at the SESA-Lab

The Company

SESA-Lab (Smart Energy Simulation and Automation Laboratory) in Oldenburg was developed by OFFIS and the University of Oldenburg to analyze interactions between power grid components, consumers, and communication systems. The laboratory provides a real-time co-simulation environment for testing future smart grid technologies under realistic operating conditions.

The Challenges

• Increasing Grid Complexity: Future power grids must integrate numerous heterogeneous components and support communication between power generation, protection, and control systems.
• Renewable Energy Integration: Intermittent and unpredictable renewable generation makes grid operation and coordination more challenging.
• ICT Validation Requirements: Testing communication technologies and control interactions in real power systems is difficult due to risks, costs, and limited flexibility.

The OPAL-RT Solution

• Ground-Breaking Co-Simulation Platform: SESA-Lab developed a platform capable of virtually reproducing power grids and their surrounding environments by integrating existing hardware and software simulators.
• Real-Time Power Grid Simulation: OPAL-RT’s eMEGAsim simulator executes highly detailed power grid models and enables Hardware-in-the-Loop testing of real devices.
• Flexible System Integration: Mosaik enables the reuse of existing simulation models and supports large-scale Smart Grid scenarios using standard processes and communication protocols.

The Results

• Open Simulation Platform: The SESA-Lab opened in 2014 as an open simulation platform available to researchers and industrial users.
• Remote Component Testing: Users can remotely test electrical components in a virtual grid using an internet connection.
• Realistic Grid Reproduction: The platform reproduces electrical grid characteristics together with market, legislative, and weather influences.
• Support for Smart Grid Research: The platform provides a realistic environment for evaluating future smart grid technologies and communication infrastructures.

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