Control and operation tools for a RES-based energy system
Projects are expected to:
- Design and test innovative technologies, processes, and control mechanisms for the seamless integration of massive volumes of renewable energy sources (RES) at distribution and transmission levels. The solutions are expected to incorporate both hardware and software aspects;
- Address network constraints and increase flexibility capabilities of grids, through advanced operation and control mechanisms and tools, for improving the overall grid performance and the efficiency of RES uptake;
- Ensure effective coordination between transmission and distribution levels of the electricity grids, for the integration of massive volumes of RES at multiple voltage levels, maintaining grid stability and overall preparing for a RES-based energy system.
The demonstration, test and validation of the activities should be carried out in at least two pilots in different EU Member States and Associated Countries.
Proposals should demonstrate a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating renewable energy sources into the existing energy system. Building on this, they should demonstrate a comprehensive approach for developing and testing advanced technologies and control mechanisms that can effectively address these challenges, while capitalising on solutions for digitalising the energy system.
In addition, projects should propose a set of best practices and recommendations on the effective uptake of increased shares of renewables. This should be suitable for a level of renewables in the electricity system that would allow reaching the EU's binding renewable target for 2030 of minimum of 42.5% (with the aspiration to reach 45%).
Projects are expected to include at least two electricity transmission system operators (TSOs) and four distribution system operators (DSOs), which could be distributed among the pilots of a particular project.
Additionally, collaboration is encouraged with the following entities:
- at least three suppliers of energy from renewable sources, out of which at least two should supply energy from non-dispatchable energy sources. The supply covered by the project should include both wind and solar energy sources;
- at least two providers of energy services for the grids (e.g. aggregation of energy supply and/or energy demand, energy storage).
This collaboration (minimum number of entities) is sought per project in total and does not necessarily apply per each pilot in particular.
Selected projects are expected to contribute to the BRIDGE initiative[[ https://bridge-smart-grid-storage-systems-digital-projects.ec.europa.eu/]] and actively participate in its activities.