IEA-ISGAN Working Group 5: Smart Grids International Research Facility Network (SIRFN) (Working period 2021 - 2024)
Short Description
Objectives
The SIRFN is a global network of smart grid laboratories and research institutions organised as part of the International Smart Grid Action Network of the International Energy Agency's research cooperation (IEA-ISGAN). SIRFN has set itself the goal of improving the understanding of smart grid technologies and promoting the development and dissemination of these technologies worldwide.
A key factor in the implementation of smart grids is the development of standardised system concepts, technologies and, not least, standards that function effectively in a variety of grid environments. The research institutions involved in SIRFN have been coordinating joint laboratory activities and knowledge exchange since 2012.
Contents
In the project period 2021 to 2024, the most important research topics were the integration of renewable energies and decentralised resources, the development and testing of new concepts such as microgrids and innovative testing methods. Specific activities included the international exchange of research results, best practices and the joint development, expansion and improvement of the capabilities of the participating research laboratories.
During the project period, activities were divided into two sub-areas: the dissemination and exchange of knowledge and the definition and implementation of specific projects to further develop the research infrastructure in the following key areas:
- Development of test procedures for the interoperability of decentralised energy resources
- Microgrids
- Test procedures for power supply systems, and
- Advanced methods for laboratory tests.
Results
Austria, which was involved in SIRFN from the very beginning, was able to benefit significantly from the results of SIRFN and its integration into a global network of smart grid research laboratories. Austria's participation also ensured the visibility of the Austrian smart grid research infrastructure at a global level, thereby securing important access to a worldwide network of leading institutions and laboratories. Last but not least, the joint research and development activities made it possible to close gaps in this area and at the same time better utilise existing capacities.
The participation in SIRFN supported by the project was also essential for the positioning of the Austrian smart grid research infrastructure and the international exchange of research results, best practices and methods.
In addition to international networking, national networking and the transfer of expertise to Austria were also at the centre of Austria's participation in SIRFN.
Project Images
Terms of use: The pictures listed underneath the header “Project Pictures” originate from the projects in the frame of the programmes City of Tomorrow, Building of Tomorrow and the IEA Research Cooperation. They may be used credited for non-commercial purposes under the Creative Commons License Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC).
Publications
Publications are available on the website of IEA ISGAN Annex 5.
Participants
Austria, Australia, Canada, Denmark, European Commission, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, United States of America (Lead), United Kingdom
Contact Address
Project leader
Roland Bründlinger
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Giefinggasse 2, 1210 Wien
E-Mail: roland.bruendlinger@ait.ac.at
Tel.: +43 50550-6351
Project collaborators
- Dr. Thomas Strasser
E-Mail: thomas.strasser@ait.ac.at - Dr. Mihai Calin
E-Mail: mihai.calin@ait.ac.at