After four years and a half, the implementation team prepares the final evaluation of the innovative research project inteGRIDy (Integrated Smart GRID Cross-Functional Solutions for Optimized Synergetic Energy Distribution, Utilization & Storage Technologies), funded by the European program H2020 as part of the process to reduce carbon emissions.
30 partners from 8 European countries coordinated by Atos Spain have proposed integrating technologies, solutions and mechanisms into a suite of tools and applications in order to connect various actors to existing electricity infrastructures. Its ultimate goal is to optimize the generation and consumption of electricity.
SIMAVI had an important role in this project, being both the leader of integration at the consortium level and the leader of the pilot project implemented in Ploiești, in partnership with the local electricity distribution operator, ELECTRICA SA. As part of this pilot, SIMAVI implemented the IT infrastructure (hardware, communications, devices) and defined the functional requirements of the solution, based on scenarios and case studies from other countries. The Romanian software integrator designed the architecture of the technical solution, developing intelligent algorithms for demand response. SIMAVI also participated in the process of validating the adequate business models for the implementation of intelligent metering solutions with demand response functionalities in Romania.
The creation of the inteGRIDy integrated prototype started with a complex state of play (18 technology providers, 10 pilot solutions from 8 European countries). Setting up a common view for all partners, understanding the usage of components developed on different technological and IT platforms, based with a wide range of programming languages and communication protocols and specialized user interfaces added a layer of difficulty in designing the integration solution and the common environment.
As an integration leader, SIMAVI proposed a federative approach for the integrated prototype inteGRIDy. The management of the federated subordinates is carried out centrally by using a mechanism that will monitor all the pilot components and will present the status in real time. Notifications and alerts issued by the integrated platform are created and sent, through messaging mechanisms, to all stakeholders (customers, administrators).
The Ploiești pilot is an innovative solution designed for the distribution operator and for the consumers involved in the project. Such a system benefits from the results of research in the field of electrical engineering, information and communication technology and business by applying the most innovative technological solutions and business models based on current algorithms and tools.
Among consumers, however, such solutions encounter barriers and limitations. The level of consumer involvement in energy efficiency approaches is influenced by several factors, including country indicators such as: gross domestic product, support from the state budget or the budget allocated by the energy distributor for such investments.
The following problems have been identified in Romania (and not only):
• Lack of a legislative framework to provide incentives for consumers and distribution operators
• Inconsistent legislative framework on data protection and security
• Reduced electricity consumption at the level of residential consumers
• Reduced need for residential heating
• Inconsistent legislative framework on data protection and security
• Lack of consumer interest and involvement
• The high cost of upgrading the infrastructure in relation to the commercial benefits.
However, one of the tangible benefits of the inteGRIDy project obtained in the pilot project is that the population (residential consumers) was aware of what changes smart grids are proposing and what options for optimizing energy consumption are available to the household. With the IT application developed for the pilot from Ploiești, residential consumers can receive suggestions and recommendations to change their consumption behavior in order to reduce the electricity bill. Thus, depending on the price of energy in a given period, consumers may be advised to limit electricity consumption.
However, one of the tangible benefits of the inteGRIDy project among consumers in the pilot was that they learned about smart grid concepts. They increased the degree of flexibility in energy consumption, they noticed the opportunity to optimize electricity bills for household consumers, they received real and valuable information on the degree of charging of the distribution network and they reduced the periods with maximum consumption.
This project is funded by the European Research and Innovation Program H2020 through grant agreement number 731268.
For more information, look up www.integridy.eu
