VSL leads European Smart Grid metrology research

The transformation of our present electricity grids into ‘smart grids’ is crucial for the successful uptake of renewable energy sources in the grid. In a combined effort of 18 European national metrology institutes and 4 universities and research centers, led by VSL, the necessary metrology tools will be developed to facilitate the observability and controllability of this new technology.

Electrical grids in a changing environment
Environmental issues and diminishing energy supplies are challenging the traditional model of electricity generation and distribution. These conventional centrally managed grid systems, incorporating large fossil fuel plants, must undergo radial change in order to assure security of supply and reduce green house gas emissions. Future electrical energy supply will be characterized by multiple small-scale schemes integrating non-conventional generation. Smart Grids are the enablers for this future vision of the clean, renewable, locally generated energy, which is required to meet society’s energy challenges.
Conventional centralized grids can be thought of as passive one-way bulk energy systems whereas the Smart Grid systems are active systems consisting of multiple bi-directional energy clients. These distributed systems are highly complex, difficult to optimise and vulnerable to instability. This leads to a paradigm shift in the instrumentation and control requirements for Smart Grids, such that stable high quality electricity supply can be assured. 

Metrological challenges
Successful implementation of a Smart Electrical Grid requires the development of a suitable metrological measurement infrastructure. The metrological challenges consists in suitable measurement tools for ensuring security of electricity supply and monitoring grid stability in the transition from a conventional to a Smart Grid. Since in a Smart Grid more parties will supply energy to the grid, not only via conventional power plants but especially via renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy, an increased need arises for on-site determination of grid quality and on-site measurement of energy flows.

Smart Grids research project
The metrological challenges for Smart Grids are too extensive to be tackled by a single country. Therefore, a European research project was launched by VSL (and recently approved) for a coordinated and coherent approach in meeting these challenges.  The extensive research program will develop, refine and apply new metrological tools to determine power flows, stability, and power quality of smart electrical grids. New design methodologies will optimize smart grid instrumentation networks for reliable and stable energy supply. Fair trade will be assured through the implementation of on-site revenue billing systems and a cryptographic infrastructure. 
The three-year Smart Grids project will start on November 1, 2010. In total, 18 European national metrology institutes and 4 universities and research centers, each focusing on their specific expertise, will be working in complementary tasks realizing the scientific and metrological challenges related to the successful implementation of smart electrical grids.

Stakeholder interaction
Interaction with the stakeholders of Smart Electrical Grids is crucial for the successful uptake of the research results by the Smart Grid community. Therefore, intensive contacts are kept with transport system operators (TSOs), distribution system operators (DSOs), utilities, instrument manufacturers, electricity companies, and IEC technical experts (enabling of international standards development). Already before the start of the project, more than 20 organizations are part of the project stakeholder committee that aims to assure focus of the project on actual customer needs and assure a timely and smooth take-up of the research results.

For more information on the Smart Grids project, and for information on joining the Smart Grids stakeholder committee, please contact Gert Rietveld (grietveld@vsl.nl)