CELL combines traditional power systems and microgrids competence with applied research in information and communication technology. CELL has grown out of the successful Living Lab ‘iHomeLab’ on the Hochschule Luzern (HSLU) campus. The CELL concept is a modular, scalable living lab that combines facilities, expertise and partnerships across the university footprint.
CELL operates real-life living labs for the development, testing, and showcasing of advanced technology and systems. These labs are situated within existing local energy communities (LECs), which include www.am-aawasser.ch and other neighboring buildings. Recently, CELL has expanded into a distributed "Hybrid Energy Community" by integrating two additional external buildings in Buochs (Seebuchtstrasse and Güterstrasse). This multi-node network enables advanced testing of coordinated energy management and virtual peer-to-peer (P2P) trading across geographically separate grid connection points. Furthermore, CELL provides modular services to its business, research, and community partners.
AREAS OF SPECIAL COMPETENCE
- Data-driven algorithms and tools for power systems
- Distributed and edge analytics
- Interoperability and IoT Systems
- Smart meter communication
- Digital system architecture
- Integration of e-mobility, storage, heat and flexibility
- Multi-site flexibility co-optimization and virtual financial settlement
WHAT CAN BE TESTED
CELL provides testing, validation and prototyping of:
- Interoperability of products / services
- ICT architectures and security, advanced grid / grid edge analytics, new protocols
- AI & control algorithms
- IoT, Energy Management & digital platforms for integrated community energy systems
- Innovative market models and behavior of market participants
- High-fidelity virtual P2P energy trading and shadow billing across multiple grid connection points
AVAILABLE INFRASTRUCTURE
CELL boasts a highly diverse energy generation and storage portfolio across its three nodes. Smart meters providing real time data (down to 15-minute and 5-second intervals), IoT and EV infrastructure (including 10 EV chargers), onsite PV (124 kWp at the primary site, plus new installations at the Seebuchtstrasse and Güterstrasse buildings) and hydro power plant (85 kW), and newly upgraded dedicated battery storage systems. Market, AI sandboxes and component validation platforms. Through our innovation park we offer access to local energy communities (LECs) and business model validation.
HOW TO GET STARTED WITH US
Contact Roman Lötscher. A meeting will then be arranged to discuss the potential for cooperation and the application process for access to our validation network and support.
Options for collaboration include, but are not limited to:
- Jointly accessing public & private funding
- Joint / Research service contract
- Platform / Infrastructure as a service
