The EDF Living Lab

Location
The living lab is located within EDF’s R&D facilities in Palaiseau, France

What motivated EDF to create a DC dedicated Lab?
The lab was created to assess DC technology potential and maturity. It also allows EDF to identify DC key technology gaps and maturity for large-scale deployment. Since control systems are not standardized, we use the lab for the deep studies required to ensure interoperability and resilience between multi-vendor equipment.

It also serves to validate new stability analysis criteria against real-world behavior, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Finally, with protection equipment still emerging, the lab provides the essential experimental background needed to validate protection schemes and guarantee their safety.

Key Assets
The laboratory integrates real-time simulation tools with real-world DC equipment and prototypes, allowing the validation of algorithms and methodologies under realistic operating conditions.

Value to the DC transition

1. Component & Hardware Validation:
   • Assessing equipment maturity and performance limits.
   • Validating interoperability and communication between assets.
2. System-Level Performance & Control:
   • Testing overall system stability and droop control strategies.
   • Evaluating the performance of Energy Management Systems (EMS).
   • Evaluating DC technology potential for future energy grids.
3. Safety & Security Protocols:
   • Validating all security and protection rules for both equipment and personnel.