Dresden, 05.09.2024: Kiwigrid, Europe's leading IoT company for energy management and energy optimization, is opening a second test laboratory for the energy world of tomorrow. The lab will open during autumn 2024 in Neuwiese (Elsterheide), Lusatia, Saxony, in addition to the existing Home Lab. In the new Utility Lab, Kiwigrid will be working with its customers and partners to test smart tariffs, grid integration in the context of smart metering systems and integration into energy suppliers' systems. The test lab is part of the Energiepark Neuwiese (Neuwiese Energy Park) and serves as an example of the ongoing work to drive the energy transition in Saxony.
In order to successfully implement current developments, such as the integration of dynamic tariffs and reduced grid charges in accordance with Section 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG) , these use cases must first be comprehensively validated. This is the only way to guarantee secure and functional systems in the long term. This requires high testing capacities, which is why Kiwigrid has significantly expanded its facilities with the opening of its new test laboratory this fall. The new site will primarily be used to connect dynamic tariffs from electricity providers with backend systems from various distribution grid and transmission grid operators.
The Utility Lab is part of the Energiepark Neuwiese development project in Lusatia, which will be completed next year. Nine interconnected buildings are currently being built on a total area of 25,000 square meters. The solar power from the integrated solar systems can then either be used at the EV charging stations on the site and to operate the local heat pumps or supplied directly to the neighborhood. In addition to the test areas, Kiwigrid will lease part of the energy park for co-working spaces and use it for training purposes.
Testing and certification of setups together with partners
Various testing setups consisting of inverters, electricity storage systems, EV chargers, heat pumps and smart meters will be installed in the new laboratory. Three aisles with a total of 24 setup spaces will be created on the first floor of the new laboratory. On the upper floor, devices will be tested and proven at a further twelve setup stations. A heat/mobility matrix and a PV string matrix will also be created for this purpose. Various partners and customers will have the opportunity to test their hardware onsite. Jointly developed product features can be tested and certified directly in a real setup. The tests enable Kiwigrid's partners to offer their end customers comprehensively tested and already certified setups.
“We are very pleased to be officially opening our new Utility Lab in Neuwiese soon. The newly created testing facilities will allow us to actively shape current developments in the energy world and at the same time ensure that new use cases work reliably. We are proud to be driving forward the energy transition in Saxony in cooperation with the Energiepark Neuwiese and our partners,” says Kiwigrid CEO Dr. Frank Schlichting.
Martin Dulig, Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Labor and Transport of the Free State of Saxony, comments:
“Saxony is an energy state with an exciting future. We are relying on cleantech and our strong expertise in software and data processing technologies to transform our not yet de-fossilized energy production and economy. Kiwigrid is making an important contribution to this, especially in Lusatia. The new Utility Lab is an encouraging example of how energy efficiency, sustainability and secure energy supply stimulate each other for innovation and resilient value creation.”