Welcome to the Energy Lab
The energy transition is accompanied by many questions: How can energy be generated in an environmentally friendly way and stored with low losses?
What happens when the sun doesn't shine and the wind doesn't blow? And what if more electricity is suddenly needed?
To answer these questions, the Energy Lab is researching the intelligent linking of various energy generation, storage and supply options.
Research for the energy transition
The aim is to achieve climate neutrality by 2045 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. However, wind or solar energy cannot be generated consistently everywhere. Energy is often needed away from where it is generated and peak loads are to be expected at certain times. This dilemma must therefore be solved, because affordable and environmentally friendly energy should no longer remain a utopian dream.
As Europe's largest research infrastructure for renewable energy, the Energy Lab is taking on this major task. Here, the intelligent networking of environmentally friendly energy generators and storage methods is being investigated. In addition, energy systems of the future are simulated and tested on the basis of real consumer data. A system network links electrical, thermal and chemical energy flows as well as new information and communication technologies. The aim of the research work is to improve the transportation, distribution, storage and use of electricity and thus create the basis for the energy transition.
The Energy Lab is a project of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in cooperation with the Helmholtz Centers German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ).
The Federal Ministries of Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and for Economic Affairs and Energy as well as the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts (MWK) are funding the Energy Lab.
With the Smart2DC Microgrid Laboratory at KIT, a powerful research platform for future direct‑current microgrids is being established. The laboratory combines fundamental research with realistic experimental studies and addresses key challenges in control, protection, and system integration. As part of the Smart Energy System Simulation and Control Center (SEnSSiCC), Smart2DC enables the testing of innovative DC grid concepts under real operating conditions, making an important contribution to the energy transition.
Smart2DC Microgrid Laboratory
Researchers at KIT – Giovanni De Carne, Friedrich Wiegel, Fargah Ashrafidehkordi, Felix Wald and Veit Hagenmeyer – together with international partners, have published a comprehensive set of guidelines for Power‑Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop testing. The article, released in the IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics, demonstrates how PHIL enables highly realistic validation of electrical systems while shortening development cycles. For the first time, the work defines practical recommendations for modelling, setup and operation of PHIL applications in industrial environments.
Read the publication
For the construction of the new High Power Grid Lab (HPGL) on the KIT Campus North, ATELIER . SCHMELZER . WEBER Architekten PartGmbB from Dresden prevailed in a two‑stage competition. The firm received the contract for presenting the most convincing architectural and conceptual design. Starting in 2027, a research infrastructure in the multi‑megawatt range will be built that, upon its commissioning in 2030, will investigate novel power‑electronic grid components under realistic grid conditions.
Website Atelier . Schmelzer . Weber