Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FuturePowerFlow (Exploiting the full integration potential of fluctuating renewable energies in power grid operation by new predictive technologies)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2021-03-01 do 2022-02-28
Many initiatives led to rising numbers of decentralized renewable energy generators. Although this tendency is positive concerning the targeted energy transition and for reaching the EU’s valuable 2030 climate and energy goals, the thousands of different decentralized power supply units challenge grid operators. The volatility of renewable energy generation and the need to balance power generation and demand within grids head to an oxymoron: although wind blows and sun shines, grid operators have to reactively curtail these plants from the grid to guarantee grid safety. Current control room systems are not made for a proactive and exact management and control of single assets – limiting the share of renewable energies in our power mix to a very low level. To fully exploit the potential of clean and green energy, energy & meteo systems developed FuturePowerFlow, an algorithm-based, modular system using weather forecasts, locations of renewable energy plants, data on grid infrastructure, historic demand data and operating status of plants to predict power flows in the grid based on generation and consumption for the next 48h in very high timeresolution. Instead of reacting just demand driven, FuturePowerFlow enables grid operators to proactively plan and manage the integration of decentralized renewable assets into their grid. FuturePowerFlow is the perfect solution for transmission system operators and distribution system operators to manage their grids efficiently, directly targeting at and fulfilling their user needs.
During the project, the system prototype could be finalised with the insights from pilot user projects. The company was up-scaled regarding the new business field, pilot users were acquired and market entry was prepared and successfully implemented by selling the product to first non-pilot users.
The currently used control systems in grid operators’ control rooms no longer fit the requirements of a grid with fluctuating (renewable) energy generation. Therefore, FuturePowerFlow combines relevant components like renewable power forecasts, load forecasting, predictive power flow calculations, and information on the grid and on decentralised renewable energy supply units in one system. By this, expensive last-minute imports of electricity and future grid congestions can be avoided and a solution for the sustainable integration of renewable energies and the conversion towards a future-proof grid and load management counteracting climate change can be provided.