European Commission logo
JRC Smart Electricity Systems

Smart Grid Laboratories Inventory 2015

A smart electricity grid opens the door to a myriad of new applications aimed at enhancing security of supply, sustainability and market competitiveness. Gathering detailed information about smart grid laboratories activities represents a primary need. In order to obtain a better picture of the ongoing Smart Grid developments, after the successful smart grid project survey initiated in 2011, we recently launched a focused on-line survey addressed to organisations owning or running Smart Grid laboratory facilities. The main objective is to publish aggregated information on a regular basis in order to provide an overview of the current facilities, to highlight trends in research and investments and to identify existing gaps.

Periodic (ideally annual) releases of the report are expected, so trends and evolutions can be early identified in the development process and gaps can be targeted in a proactive way. Benefits for participating organisations are numerous, and will become more significant as the inventory grows. The role of the JRC as a neutral data broker guarantees data accuracy, relevance and independence to all participants, while maintaining all confidentiality needs as required in their research works. In addition, higher visibility to all organisations will be provided by means of advertising/internet campaigns.

Clearly, the future inventorying exercises, planned to rely on wider samples and fine-tuned surveys, can even significantly alter the lessons learned via the first exercise. The Smart Grid Laboratory survey was created and launched by the JRC with three main requirements:

  • Helping to obtain harmonised and consistent information so that data can be meaningfully aggregated.
  • Containing up-to-date information so relevant conclusions could be drawn.
  • Be flexible enough to adapt to different world areas, technologies and standards in use.

The survey has been structured in 3 main sections:

  • General information: includes basic general information regarding the main activities, publications, future expansion plans and collaboration activities.
  • Research activities: The survey has been divided into 13 categories: Distribution Automation, Grid Side Management, Storage, Sustainability, Market, Generation and distributed energy resources (DER), Electromobility, Smart Home/Buildings, Smart Cities, Demand Response, Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), Cybersecurity, and Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI). The questions in each area of activity were structured covering the following topics: Activities or applications, Technologies, Standards in use and Objectives of the research activity.
  • Infrastructure: laboratory equipment and facilities.

 

Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

For suggestions, questions and other requests please contact us at: JRC-PTT-SGL-INVENTORY@ec.europa.eu

See also:

- The 2011 JRC inventory of smart grid projects.

- The 2012 JRC inventory of smart grid projects.