TU Delft starts top research facility for energy system of the future

TenneT first partner in Electrical Sustainable Power Lab (ESP Lab)

News - 16 July 2018 - Communication

The integration of new technologies in the energy system is a vital aspect of the energy transition. As yet there are no facilities for testing new components in the high-voltage grid. TU Delft is changing this situation by building the ESP Lab (Electrical Sustainable Power Lab, Powered by TenneT). This lab will be a unique facility for top-class research into system integration in the energy system. This research is needed to be able to develop the energy system of the future.

The lab will be created in close collaboration with the most important players in sustainable energy supply. Transmission System Operator of the Dutch high-voltage grid, TenneT, is the first partner of the Electrical Sustainable Power Lab

The energy transition is one of the greatest societal challenges of the century. Developments such as decentralised energy generation, electrification, storage, conversion and the large-scale use of electric cars will make new demands on the electricity system of the future. Ensuring the reliable, sustainable and affordable integration of these new technologies in the future electricity grid demands knowledge of, and insight into, the system. Research and innovation are vital conditions for working together with the market to develop the energy system of the future.

ESP Lab

TU Delft is rebuilding its High-Voltage Research Facility – currently the best equipped academic laboratory for high-voltage research in Europe – to create the new Electrical Sustainable Power Lab (ESP Lab). The university is actively seeking collaboration with the leading players on the energy market, and TenneT is the first of these to sign a partnership agreement. Within TU Delft, various parties from the Delft Energy Initiative will be working together in the ESP Lab, such as Duwind, Urban Energy, e-Refinery and Powerweb.

Societal impact

β€œI am proud that TU Delft is working together with TenneT on a laboratory that will have such a huge societal impact. The ESP Lab will make an important contribution to creating an electrical energy supply that is available at all times and to all people via a β€˜SMART Power Grid’”, says John Schmitz, dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Mel Kroon, CEO of TenneT explains, "The energy transition offers a wonderful challenge for transmission system operators. Sustainability, electrification, digitisation and storage demand a new electricity system, with a central role for TenneT. This new ESP Lab will enable TenneT, together with TU Delft and other parties, to give shape to the electricity system of the future."

v.l.n.r. John Schmitz (TU Delft) en Mel Kroon (TenneT)

More information

Website Electrical Sustainable Power Lab

Prof. Miro Zeman, Electrical Sustainable Energy, TU Delft
T   +31 (0)15 27 82 409
E   M.Zeman@tudelft.nl