Final Report Summary - DER-LAB (Network of DER Laboratories and Pre-Standardisation)
DER-LAB is the European Network of Excellence (NoE) of independent laboratories, working in the area of the integration of Distributed energy resources (DER) into electricity grids and the preparation of related standards and test procedures. The overall objectives were:
- setup of a distributed, independent world-class DER laboratory for Europe;
- support for the development of European and international standards;
- achievement of a durable networking between European laboratories.
The specific objectives of the project were:
- elaboration of requirements concerning connection, safety, operation and communication of Directorate General (DG) and Renewable energy sources (RES) components and associated support technologies;
- elaboration of requirements for the effective and economic operation of sustainable power systems;
- elaboration of quality criteria for DG components;
- development of common certification and qualification procedures;
- support of manufacturers, grid operators and DG operators by establishing a discussion platform, identifying relevant problems and proposing solutions;
- market support through common European and international standards;
- integration of national developments by formulating European interests and by supporting international pre-standardisation activities.
The overall objective of the project was achieved by establishing the association European Distributed Energy Resources Laboratories (DER-LAB) e. V. as a legal body, which became an active and well known player in this field in Europe. Regular exchange and research activities between the partners took place and the cooperation was strengthened.
The DER-LAB network had enlarged beyond the original project partners and comprised finally 21 members: The new members were: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Interdisciplinary Centre for Reliability, Security and Trust at the University of Luxembourg, K.U. Leuven for EnergyVille in Belgium, Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, United States, the Greek Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES), the Spanish Research Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), the Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Grenoble Electrical Engineering (G2ELAB) and the Spanish Energy Technological Institute (ITE).
DER-LAB established links to many players in the field of DER. Examples are the technical liaison with the European standardisation organisation CENELEC TC8X and the involvement of DER-LAB in the Smart Grid International Research Facility Network (SIRFN) - a coordinated network of test beds located in International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) member countries. Furthermore, there is a regular international exchange with other laboratories world-wide and DER-LAB is regularly performing workshops as part of the International Conference on Integration. Besides this, further specialists workshops were performed, young researchers and PhD seminars took place and several DER training courses were successfully conducted. Finally, DER-LAB members established their national and regional networks as a platform to strengthen the information exchanges between European and national activities.
Several joint European research activities were performed. Common European standpoints were ascertained, which serve as inputs for international standardisation bodies. The results from the joint research activities had been documented and made publicly available as DER-LAB technical reports. The most relevant research reports produced within the frame of the European NoE project were:
- International White Book on the grid connection of static converters;
- European White Book on grid-connected storage;
- Testing of power system services of DER;
- Electromagnetic compatibility for distributed energy resources (EMC for DER);
- Hardware in the loop testing of DER components;
- Network protection issues in the face increased penetration of DER.
- setup of a distributed, independent world-class DER laboratory for Europe;
- support for the development of European and international standards;
- achievement of a durable networking between European laboratories.
The specific objectives of the project were:
- elaboration of requirements concerning connection, safety, operation and communication of Directorate General (DG) and Renewable energy sources (RES) components and associated support technologies;
- elaboration of requirements for the effective and economic operation of sustainable power systems;
- elaboration of quality criteria for DG components;
- development of common certification and qualification procedures;
- support of manufacturers, grid operators and DG operators by establishing a discussion platform, identifying relevant problems and proposing solutions;
- market support through common European and international standards;
- integration of national developments by formulating European interests and by supporting international pre-standardisation activities.
The overall objective of the project was achieved by establishing the association European Distributed Energy Resources Laboratories (DER-LAB) e. V. as a legal body, which became an active and well known player in this field in Europe. Regular exchange and research activities between the partners took place and the cooperation was strengthened.
The DER-LAB network had enlarged beyond the original project partners and comprised finally 21 members: The new members were: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Interdisciplinary Centre for Reliability, Security and Trust at the University of Luxembourg, K.U. Leuven for EnergyVille in Belgium, Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, United States, the Greek Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES), the Spanish Research Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), the Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Grenoble Electrical Engineering (G2ELAB) and the Spanish Energy Technological Institute (ITE).
DER-LAB established links to many players in the field of DER. Examples are the technical liaison with the European standardisation organisation CENELEC TC8X and the involvement of DER-LAB in the Smart Grid International Research Facility Network (SIRFN) - a coordinated network of test beds located in International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) member countries. Furthermore, there is a regular international exchange with other laboratories world-wide and DER-LAB is regularly performing workshops as part of the International Conference on Integration. Besides this, further specialists workshops were performed, young researchers and PhD seminars took place and several DER training courses were successfully conducted. Finally, DER-LAB members established their national and regional networks as a platform to strengthen the information exchanges between European and national activities.
Several joint European research activities were performed. Common European standpoints were ascertained, which serve as inputs for international standardisation bodies. The results from the joint research activities had been documented and made publicly available as DER-LAB technical reports. The most relevant research reports produced within the frame of the European NoE project were:
- International White Book on the grid connection of static converters;
- European White Book on grid-connected storage;
- Testing of power system services of DER;
- Electromagnetic compatibility for distributed energy resources (EMC for DER);
- Hardware in the loop testing of DER components;
- Network protection issues in the face increased penetration of DER.
