One of the leading institutes in this field is KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology). A ‘High Power Grid Lab’ is currently being developed and built there, in which new grid technologies and components are to be tested under conditions that are as realistic as possible. This also requires the realistic simulation of operating and fault conditions. Voltages of up to 20 kV AC or 35 kV DC and power ratings of 20 to 40 MVA are required for simulating the grids and testing the power hardware. For the variable high-current test system, voltages of up to 1 kV AC and 1.5 kV DC with a current of up to 80 kA are required. To create the test environment, the transformers must provide the required voltages. J. Schneider Elektrotechnik has been working with KIT in the field of high voltage for almost 30 years. After successfully completing several previous projects together, the transformer specialist from Offenburg is also involved in the implementation of this major project. 
J. Schneider Elektrotechnik has designed and manufactured three different transformers for the first project stage. 
A three-phase, oil-cooled medium-voltage transformer with a capacity of 10 MVA is supplied by the 20 kV grid and provides a voltage of 10 kV or 20 kV for mains simulation.

Three single-phase medium-voltage transformers, each with a capacity of 7 MVA, were also supplied. They are equipped with 10/20 kV switching on both sides and can be operated in a frequency range from 40 to 1000 Hz. Multilevel converters can thus be used to simulate and investigate the system behaviour of innovative grid equipment under realistic conditions. 
Another three-phase medium-voltage dry-type transformer enables the simulation of configurable short-circuit events in order to investigate behaviour in the event of grid faults.
As a transformer specialist, J. Schneider is predestined for the construction of dry-type and oil-filled transformers for special applications, such as electrical test systems.