Project description
Networked data for digital grid operation
Distribution system operators (DSOs) are responsible for delivering reliable and efficient electricity to customers spread across different geographical areas. However, despite the increasing availability of grid-related data sources, DSOs have yet to utilise this information for grid operation. To benefit from the measurements and ICT capabilities of smart metres and grid-connected systems, it is crucial to establish a robust and secure data collection system, ensure data quality during processing, and develop control solutions for the distribution system. The EU-funded Net2DG project aims to address these challenges by developing a pilot solution that will utilise off-the-shelf computing hardware and existing communication technologies. Its aim is to cater to the needs of small and medium-sized DSOs.
Objective
Reliable and efficient electricity supply to geographically distributed customers is the main task of the Distribution System Operators (DSOs). An increasing number of grid-related data sources is in principle accessible to DSOs, but this information is in most cases not yet utilized for grid operation. Leveraging measurements and ICT reachability of Smart Meters and grid connected systems (such as Intelligent Electronic Devices) for digital distribution grid operation is challenging as it requires resilient and secure data collection, and data-quality aware processing and distribution system control solutions.
The Net2DG project will develop a proof-of-concept solution based on off-the-shelf computing hardware that uses existing communication technologies to leverage measurement capabilities of Smart Meters and DER inverters deployed in low-voltage (LV) grids. The solution will correlate this data with information from existing DSO subsystems in order to provide novel LV grid observability applications for voltage quality, grid operation efficiency and LV grid outage diagnosis. The resulting observability is subsequently used by specifically developed robust control and coordination approaches, which utilize existing actuation capabilities for voltage quality enhancement and loss minimization in the LV grid.
The use of off-the shelf components, the system level resilience and security solution, and the offered customizability of the Net2DG approach specifically address the needs of small and medium-sized DSOs (less than 100.000 clients). Therefore, the Net2DG solution will make small and medium-sized DSOs early adopters of digital technologies for LV outage diagnosis, grid operation efficiency and voltage quality.
The Net2DG solutions will be developed by a consortium including two small and medium-sized DSOs from two different European countries, academic partners, SME and startup technology companies, as well as Smart Meter and inverter vendors.
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
9220 Aalborg
Denmark