In the future, power transmission and power distribution systems will have to fulfill completely new requirements: Instead of just a few centralized energy producers, there will be many decentralized ones; the electricity production from wind and solar energy will fluctuate over time; offshore wind power produced on the coast will have to be transported to conurbations in western and southern Germany; and for electromobility, a charging infrastructure will be required which extends all over the country. In addition to the creation of further transmission capacities through the construction of new grid components, intelligent information and communication technology is necessary in order to connect all energy producers and consumers in a suitable network and to coordinate the requirements in this regard.
PTB is engaging in the metrology for extending the grid and strengthening communication technology both in its own projects and, together with 18 international research partners, in the European Metrology Network (EMN) for smart grids. This joint project under the umbrella of EURAMET offers support for the standardization, testing, researching and developing of national strategies for the development and implementation of smart grids.