The upgraded facility will be used to test ‘super grids’ for safe and reliable supply to meet the growing demand for sustainable electricity. It can test power transformers of up to 800kV and switchgear up to 1200kV.

The company predicts that by 2050, the demand for electricity will rise by 140% and when the Paris climate agreement added to the equation, it becomes necessary to include wind and solar to play a greater role in the energy mix, which are expected to account for more than 80% of global electricity production by 2050.

‘Super grids’ play an important role in meeting the rising demand for electricity and increasing the proportion of renewable sources of electricity. These large scale electricity transport networks operate at voltages of 800kV and above. These super grids can increase grid capacity and connect remote wind and solar farms to energy consumers.

As per the company, grid stability and reliability are often compromised by the failure of a single grid component. Equipment certification based on global industry standards can allow component manufacturers, power utilities and network operators to verify the quality of components before they are installed and thus reduce the risk of outages. The facility can help in rigorously testing such components for use in 'super grids'.

DNV GL energy business CEO Ditlev Engel said: “Today we celebrate both the opening of the world’s first facility for testing super grid components and 90 years of our involvement in the electricity transmission and distribution sector through our KEMA laboratories. In a cleaner, more electrified world, testing remains crucial in delivering safe and reliable electricity to society.

“The demand for large-scale electricity transport networks will increase drastically in the years to come. As an independent partner for quality assurance, we continue to be 100% committed to supporting the energy industry in their next steps towards a more sustainable energy future.”

Image: DNV GL upgrades testing facility in Arnhem, the Netherlands. Photo: Courtesy of DNV GL AS.