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Quick take: Sure, sure, the smart grid is important. But if we really want to prepare for the future -- and if we want to keep up with China -- we also need to be working on what testing and consulting firm DNV KEMA calls "the super grid" -- namely "trans-national, or even trans-continental transmission networks that facilitate the transport of high volumes of electricity across great distances." China is already well underway on high-voltage transmission. Now DNV KEMA is opening up testing facilities in Europe to help the rest of the world get with the program. – Jesse Berst

With a 70-million-euro expansion of its High-Power Laboratory in Arnhem, the Netherlands, DNV KEMA will create what it says is the first laboratory in the world in the extreme testing segment for super grids. The company defines super grids as bulk energy transport at 800 kV+ levels (800,000 volts and above).

"It is evident that the global demand for electricity will rapidly increase over the next decades. According to independent studies, this growth will translate into a strong increase in investments in the global electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure," says CEO David Walker.

Walker points to four major trends that relate to our future electricity supply:

1.     The strong increase in distributed and local electricity generation

2.     Development of super grids that facilitate the integration of large-scale renewable energy

3.     Growth of global high-voltage power networks and new manufacturers of T&D components, such as circuit breakers and power transformers

4.     Recognition by utilities, investors, regulators and insurance companies that testing is a vital element in creating a safe and reliable energy infrastructure

While new super grid technologies are focused on safety and reliability, DNV KEMA notes there is always a risk of outage – and the impact of outages in super grids is huge, both from an economic, social and technical point of view as millions, in some cases tens of millions, of people may be impacted.

What's remarkable, says Gerd Enoch, global director for DNV KEMA Testing, Inspection & Certification, is that testing is not mandatory by law in today's electricity T&D sector, adding: "Excellent functioning of circuit breakers and power transformers for super grids is crucial, as these serve entire metropolitan cities or large regions within a country."

Examples of super grids include long-distance and ultra high-voltage connections between the hydropower stations in the western part of China and the load centers on the east coast of the country, such as Beijing and Shanghai. DNV KEMA notes other examples can be found in Canada and India, and the possible connection between continental Europe and large-scale solar farms in the Sahara desert in Africa.

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Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com, the industry's oldest and largest smart grid site. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the U.S. and abroad, he also serves on advisory committees for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Institute for Electric Efficiency. He often provides strategic consulting to large corporations and venture-backed startups. He is a member of the advisory boards of GridGlo and Calico Energy Services.