NSTU NETI Test Facility to Open Up New Opportunities for the Power Industry
Hybrid electrical energy storage systems will be tested at a dedicated facility being developed by researchers at Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU NETI). The project will help bring new technologies into the power sector and train qualified professionals.
The project will build on the university's existing electrodynamic power system model (EDM), which reproduces, at a reduced scale, the processes that occur in real-world power infrastructure.
Researchers will integrate a multifunctional grid-connected voltage converter and a supercapacitor into the model. The supercapacitor can store and release energy almost instantaneously. This configuration is expected to allow NSTU NETI researchers to study control algorithms for fast-response hybrid energy storage systems and assess their effects on power system stability. The upgraded EDM will also let them test specific technical solutions before they are deployed at industrial facilities. The new model is scheduled for completion by mid-2027.
The test facility is also set to serve as a training resource, while the university's industry partners will be able to use it to address practical engineering challenges.
Russia's Energy Storage Market: Forecasts and Growth Areas
Russia's market for hybrid power systems and energy storage is expanding rapidly, creating demand for the Novosibirsk researchers' development. According to a forecast by analytics firm Nord Energy, by 2030 the total capacity of energy storage projects deployed in Russia is expected to reach 3.7 GW, with an energy capacity of 14.4 GWh. Total investment is projected at 431 billion rubles (about $5.3 billion).
Against this backdrop, manufacturers of energy storage systems and hybrid installations need test facilities that can simulate sudden load changes, voltage fluctuations, and operating-mode switching. These tests are essential for coordinating the operation of batteries, supercapacitors, and power converters.
High-power supercapacitor energy storage systems are in demand at data centers, in transportation infrastructure, and at industrial facilities with continuous production processes, where brief but substantial power peaks must be handled. They are also needed to integrate renewable energy sources into the grid, helping stabilize power supply for end users.
The need for test facilities for hybrid energy storage systems extends beyond Russia. If the NSTU NETI project proves effective and attracts industry demand, it could also have significant export potential.
Major Russian Energy Companies Integrate Storage Systems into Their Infrastructure
Several major Russian companies are actively developing hybrid systems and integrating them into power grids and generating facilities. In 2022, Russia's System Operator of the Unified Power System and Hevel conducted the country's first test of the Burzyanskaya solar power plant operating with energy storage in island mode. For 1.5 hours, the plant maintained the required power supply level for consumers while completely disconnected from the external grid.
In 2023, Rosseti completed R&D work on an automated control system for a multifunctional electrical energy storage system designed to operate in parallel with a 0.4-kV distribution grid.
NSTU NETI has also been working on hybrid energy storage systems for several years. In 2025, the university unveiled Russia's first physical model of such a device. It forms part of the electrodynamic power system model developed by the university's researchers.
Test Infrastructure as a Driver of Industry Growth
The NSTU NETI test facility is an important component in building Russia's own scientific and technological foundation for smart power systems. In the coming years, the test results could be applied to real-world power equipment.
Hybrid energy storage systems address specific operational needs: mitigating voltage fluctuations, providing backup power, and maintaining grid stability. Energy storage development in Russia is already emerging as a distinct technological sector, with products in demand across a wide range of industries. The Novosibirsk project is an important part of Russia's research infrastructure, which is essential to the country's ability to develop independently one of the most promising areas of smart energy technology.
