Low-cost renewable energy generation and the rapid electrification of society are placing new demands on the electricity grids of the future. At the same time, managing the overall security of the energy system is becoming increasingly crucial.
Europe is undergoing a historic transformation. The energy transition and electrification are driving a rapid renewal and expansion of the electricity infrastructure. As clean electricity replaces fossil fuels, Finland's electricity consumption is projected to triple by 2040. In this context, it is essential to strengthen the country's resilience to scenarios where the electricity grid is exposed to threats or a sudden loss of generation capacity occurs.
“The need to improve the resilience and security of electricity grids is greater than ever. In an era of global tensions, there is a clear need to strengthen Finland’s preparedness for exceptional situations,” says Antti Arasto, Vice President of VTT.
According to Arasto, the intermittency of renewable energies, energy storage solutions, and new types of loads—driven by industrial electrification, electric mobility, and the growing electricity demand stemming from artificial intelligence—introduce new dynamics and greater technical demands for the electricity grid. "The energy transition requires an active, balanced, and flexible electricity grid."
To strengthen Finland's position as an innovation hub for the energy sector, VTT is opening the FutureGrid research infrastructure in Otaniemi. This new facility offers a shared platform for developers, policymakers, and industry to address energy system challenges and move toward a carbon-neutral future.
"Previously, the electricity grid was structurally simpler, which facilitated the implementation of new solutions. Today, the system is much more complex, and its dynamics create situations that are difficult to study safely in real-world environments," explains Kari Mäki, research professor at VTT. "We need an environment where we can test and validate new solutions without putting the actual electricity grid or its users at risk. VTT FutureGrid has been built precisely for this purpose."
The energy transition is increasing pressure on grid balance.
The Finnish electricity system is internationally recognized as one of the most advanced, and the proportion of clean electricity has increased significantly. The greater the share of emission-free energy, the more important it becomes to ensure that new solutions operate reliably during peak demand and disruptions.
At the same time, new players and services are entering the electricity market, creating new interoperability and safety testing requirements. VTT FutureGrid offers a platform where companies can validate products and services before deployment.
This environment is designed to support both early-stage startups and established companies, reinforcing Otaniemi's role as an international energy innovation hub.
“Distributed clean energy generation, energy storage solutions, electric mobility, and demand flexibility are introducing new dynamics into the energy system. At the same time, they require grid control and protection solutions to evolve at the same pace,” Mäki points out.
Physical microgrid and digital twin for advanced testing:
VTT FutureGrid combines a physical microgrid infrastructure with a real-time simulator connected via a digital twin. This enables the creation of extensive virtual test scenarios.
The research environment allows for the development and testing of software, hardware, and complete systems under controlled yet realistic conditions.
