VTT to test and develop future power grids in Finland

European research organisation VTT is opening a research environment in Espoo, Finland, dedicated to testing next-generation power grid technologies. 

VTT has announced its VTT FutureGrid research environment, which will provide Finnish and international actors with a safe environment to develop and test next-generation power grid technologies before deployment in real-world electricity networks. 

Cost-efficient renewable power generation and the accelerating electrification of society place new requirements on future power grids. At the same time, the management of overall security is becoming increasingly crucial.

The FutureGrid research environment, located in Otaniemi, will provide a shared platform for developers, policymakers and industry to address the challenges facing the energy system – while building a pathway towards a carbon-neutral future.

VTT FutureGrid combines physical microgrid infrastructure with a real-time simulator through a digital twin, enabling the creation of extensive virtual test scenarios. The research environment enables the development and testing of software, hardware, and entire systems in controlled yet realistic conditions.

According to VTT, their FutureGrid aims to provide a platform where companies can validate their products and services before deployment. The environment supports both early-stage startups and established energy companies, further strengthening Otaniemi’s role as an international hub for energy innovation.

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Commenting in a release was Antti Arasto, Vice President of VTT: “The need to enhance the resilience, security, and reliability of electricity grids is greater than ever.” 

Arasto cited the rapid rise and variability of renewable energy, energy storage solutions and new types of loads, which are driven by industrial electrification, e-mobility and the growing electricity demand from AI. 

All of this together, he says, introduces new dynamics and increases demands on the grid. 

Said Kari Mäki, Research Professor at VTT: “Previously, the electricity grid was structurally simpler, meaning that deploying new solutions was more straightforward. 

“Today, the system is far more complex, and its dynamics create challenging situations that cannot be safely tested directly in real-life environments. We need an environment where new solutions can be tested and validated without putting the actual electricity grid and its customers at risk. 

“VTT FutureGrid has been built precisely for this purpose.”

Finland as a testing ground

Finland’s electricity system is internationally recognised as highly advanced, says VTT, and the share of clean electricity generation has increased significantly. 

However, as electricity replaces fossil fuels, Finland’s electricity consumption is projected to more than triple by 2040. 

The greater the share of emission-free energy, the more critical it becomes to ensure that new solutions perform reliably during peak loads and disturbance situations.

At the same time, new actors and services are entering the electricity market, creating new requirements for interoperability and security testing. 

Thus, it is important to assess Finland’s resilience in scenarios where the electricity grid is exposed to threats or where power generation is suddenly disconnected from the grid.

Said Mäki: “Distributed clean energy generation, energy storage solutions, electric mobility, and demand response capabilities introduce new dynamics into the energy system. 

“At the same time, they require grid control and protection solutions to keep pace with the change. At VTT FutureGrid, we can ensure this in a safe and agile manner.”