Smart Grid Technology Lab – A Full-Scale Low Voltage Research Facility at TU Dortmund University

The paper presents a new smart grid research infrastructure of the Institute of Energy Systems, Energy Efficiency and Energy Economics (ie3) at TU Dortmund University. The research laboratory is focused on the development of future low voltage networks and electric mobility. The laboratory consists of a test network equipped with the most innovative technology required for low voltage network such as on-load tap changer transformer, energy storage systems, a photovoltaic system simulator, electric vehicle charging stations and experimental prototype devices. That facility provides not only a suitable infrastructure for academic and educational purpose but also a relevant facility for practical research together with industrial and manufacture partners. The overall structure and future plans of the laboratory together with few practical exemplary projects are described in this paper.