The advanced load-grid automation solution has been developed as part of the European Union (EU)-funded Grid4EU project, aimed at supporting the EU’s 2020 climate and energy targets and lays the groundwork for the development of future’s electricity grids.
As part of the Demo 1 pilot project in Reken, the grid automation technology, which is fully integrated into the existing local network, monitors the load conditions in the grid and automatically adapts to changes in demand.
The solution will allow existing open ring lines to be switched, thereby establishing direct connection between consumers and generators, allowing local generators to supply power to local consumers while reducing line losses and enhancing the efficiency of the distribution grid.
Additionally, the technology delivers advanced control functions to boost the reliability of the network as well as to support the detection of the faults, such as overloads or voltage irregularities, by the regional network control center.
The project aims to demonstrate that autonomous systems using agent functions for surveillance and automated control of medium-voltage networks can be used for better management of these networks.
ABB Power Systems division head Claudio Facchin said: "The implementation of this pilot project is another step in the development of a digital grid.
"ABB already offers a number of products, systems and services for the automation of distribution networks, ensuring flexibility while maintaining reliability and this is the latest example of how ABB is pushing the boundaries of what is possible with distribution grid automation."
The pilot project will provide insights into the larger European system performance and management fed by renewable generators and results are expected in 2016.
