Preparing electricity grids for the challenges that lie ahead
How make power grids fit for the energy transition? the vision of our CEO, Robert Denda
Even before the current energy crisis began, it was evident that our sector faced massive challenges. According to the US Energy Information Administration, global energy demand will rise by 50% by 2050. At the same time, the United Nations and most of its members have committed to achieving carbon neutrality by that year. These factors, together with a growing awareness that climate change is having a major impact on the planet and our lives, mean that electricity production from renewable sources will have to increase. This will require an integrated strategy to modernize energy systems, starting with more flexible, reliable, and resilient grids. This is where Gridspertise, the company that I work for, is concentrating its efforts.
It's time to overhaul the system
As I see it, the main problem is that most of the world’s power grids were designed decades ago. For this reason, they are not fully equipped to deal with the challenges that we face today. There are two possible solutions for meeting these challenges: the first is to give the grids a physical overhaul, which is necessary, but requires substantial financial investment and an even greater amount of time; the second solution involves the transformation of the infrastructure that we already have by “adding intelligence”, and this is where Gridspertise’s expertise comes in. In other words, through digitalization and the use of smart meters, more information can be provided to consumers and, by the same token, to Distribution System Operators (DSOs).
Major challenges for future grids
When it comes to “adding intelligence” to grids, I would argue that the key issue is managing increasingly sophisticated power flows.
Governments all over the world are investing heavily in grid modernization programs since future power grids - and the utilities managing them - will have to overcome key challenges related to electrification, integration and prosumerism, as well as digital automation. Electrification will obviously increase exponentially, as both the EU and the US plan to end the sale of fossil fuel-powered vehicles by 2035, and there will also be a huge shift away from heating with fossil fuels and towards electric heat pumps. At the same time, consumers will be replaced by “prosumers” who can also feed energy into the grid from their rooftop solar installations, electric vehicles, and other distributed energy resources such as home batteries.
The system will become bidirectional. Therefore, it will need to be more resilient and more rapid in terms of its reaction time.
Metering Solutions for reliable electricity grids
The efficiency and reliability of networks can be significantly improved by automation and remote-control systems, smart meters, and sensors connected with advanced communications infrastructure. At Gridspertise, we build on our parent company Enel’s 20-year plus experience - including one of the best examples of a successful smart meter mass rollout strategy in Italy, which has also led to the installation and efficient management of 44 million smart meters in 8 countries - and on our cutting-edge research and innovation to offer the most reliable, advanced and interactive metering solution on the market today. For this reason, in addition to collaborating with technology partners, Gridspertise has recently joined the G3-PLC Alliance with the aim of contributing to the development of new G3-PLC solutions and functionalities to meet the evolving needs of DSOs in different geographies.
Grid Edge Digitalization for more efficient networks
At Gridspertise, we also see the need to increase the intelligence of the grid “at the edge”, closer to the problems or elements to be managed. This is why we launched the QEd - Quantum Edge® device. Thanks to its decentralized computational capability and edge multi-purpose platform, this revolutionary all-in-one solution enables DSOs to run key grid functionalities directly on the edge and virtualizes key network automation functions through customizable applications, reducing the amount of equipment in secondary substations as well as the number of field interventions.
We have also launched a Co-Creation Program to support collaboration with DSOs. The program will allow the QEd solution to be rigorously tested, while also facilitating the development of new applications that can boost its functionality.
A team effort
Gridspertise’s digitalization solutions can help grid operators deal with issues like load growth, deploying investments in legacy infrastructure in a cost-effective way, thereby keeping power delivery within quality and affordability parameters.
However, preparing power distribution grids for the challenges ahead requires coordinated action between tech companies like us, DSOs, policy makers, regulators, and many other stakeholders, including electricity end users. This is because it is only through active collaboration with grid customers that we can truly accelerate our electric future.