Končar officially opened a new laboratory for power systems and drives, designed for testing cutting edge equipment and technologies in the power engineering sector.
The laboratory for power systems and drives or LAVESP was opened in Bedekovčina, 50 kilometers from Croatia’s capital Zagreb.
It is the second scientific and technological facility of its kind within the Končar Group firm called Končar – Electrical Engineering Institute. Its capabilities, technical expertise and state-of-the-art equipment place it alongside the world’s leading testing laboratories, Končar said.
The first one was opened in Zagreb in January 2023.
The investment in the second laboratory exceeded EUR 20 million
The investment in the second laboratory exceeded EUR 20 million. Spanning 2,700 square metres of testing space, the laboratory is set to become one of Europe’s key institutions for type, special, research and development testing of high-voltage equipment, according to Končar.
In addition to meeting the needs of Croatia’s power sector and strengthening cooperation with the scientific community, the new laboratory will enable the further expansion of partnerships and strategic collaborations with international market players.
A particular focus of the laboratory will be on technologies and equipment for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems. These technologies are experiencing near-exponential growth this decade as they increasingly emerge as the optimal solution to many challenges associated with modern power systems and the green energy transition.
The company already started preparations for the construction of LAVESP 3
HVDC solutions also play a crucial role in integrating renewable energy sources, particularly offshore wind farms.
The company already started preparations for the construction of LAVESP 3, a new laboratory valued at EUR 26 million.
Of note, in late January, Končar and Germany-based Siemens Energy opened a transformer tank factory in Sesvetski Kraljevec, Croatia. On that occasion, the Croatian energy and transportation equipment manufacturer said it planned to invest more than EUR 500 million to expand its production capacities and business operations over the following three years.
Filipović-Grčić: One of the world’s largest and best-equipped laboratories for high-voltage testing
Gordan Kolak, President of the Management Board of Končar, said that LAVESP 2 forms part of its vision to create one of Europe’s most important development and testing hubs for power engineering equipment.
According to Dalibor Filipović-Grčić, Director of Končar – Electrical Engineering Institute, the laboratory is among the world’s largest and best-equipped for high-voltage testing.
It is capable of testing equipment for today’s most demanding transmission systems, he added.
The opening ceremony was attended by Tomislav Ćorić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Ante Šušnjar, Minister of Economy.
