VTT has opened the FutureGrid research infrastructure in Otaniemi, Espoo, providing a testing environment for the development of next-generation power grid technologies. The facility is intended for Finnish and international organisations to develop and test solutions before their deployment in operational electricity networks. The expansion of renewable energy generation and the increasing electrification of society are placing new demands on electricity grids. At the same time, resilience and overall system security are becoming more important as energy systems evolve.
Across Europe, the transition towards low-carbon energy is driving significant changes in electricity infrastructure. As clean electricity replaces fossil fuels, Finland’s electricity consumption is expected to increase substantially by 2040. This development also highlights the need to strengthen system resilience in situations where the grid is exposed to disruptions or where generation capacity is unexpectedly reduced.
The FutureGrid infrastructure provides a shared platform for developers, policymakers and industry to address technical and operational challenges in the energy system. It also enables testing of solutions intended to support the transition towards a carbon-neutral electricity sector.
With a growing share of emission-free electricity, ensuring reliable system performance during peak demand and disturbance conditions becomes increasingly important. In addition, the entry of new market participants and services into the electricity sector is creating additional requirements for interoperability and security testing.
The facility combines a physical microgrid infrastructure with a real-time simulator linked through a digital twin. This configuration enables the creation of extensive virtual test scenarios and allows the development and testing of software, hardware and integrated energy systems in controlled but realistic conditions.
