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Nov2022
MEMBER NEWS
OSGP Alliance playing active role in Central European Energy Conference CEEC XVI) in Bratislava
Mark Ossel, Member of the Board, OSGP Alliance chaired the panel “The changing role of the Smart Grid: Effective new approach to grid management, making full use of smart grids and smart technologies.” at the 16th CEEC conference.
This prestigious conference, attended by the Slovakian Prime Mininister PM and various ministers from Central Europe and Ukraine discussed the issue of energy security in the light of the need to get rid of dependence on energy supplies from Russia. The conference discussed the measures that could be done to decrease the dependence on Russia, while not abandoning the EU climate goals. The conference, and specifically the OSGP Panel, addressed the possibilities of developing smart grids and smart metering to support the energy transition. Other topics discussed were the hydrogen infrastructure, usage of waste and circular economy, energy efficiency in buildings and changes of ETS in industry sector. Traditional Central European regional format of the conference has been expanded with Ukraine and participation of their representatives and stakeholders .
Vattenfall in premiere project with fast chargers for Danish city buses
Vattenfall has delivered 32 fast chargers to Tide Bus in Denmark’s fifth largest city, Vejle. The delivery is Vattenfall’s first Power-as-a-Service project for passenger transport in Denmark and means that electric buses are now running in the city. The project will be followed by more.
For some weeks now, electric buses have been rolling every day in the streets of the Danish city of Vejle. The buses are operated by Tide Bus – one of Denmark’s largest bus companies. Vattenfall is responsible for both the charging solution and the purchase and supply of electricity. Vattenfall has invested in, designed and constructed the electrical infrastructure and is now operating it.
Improving congestion management on the Dutch grid
Maarten Hofs of Stedin BV and Ron van den Berg from Alliander N.V. talked with Yusuf Latief about flexible ways of managing the grid, a new platform for solving congestion problems that will be announced at Enlit Europe and their experience of the energy industry.
Maarten, an Enterprise/Business Architect, and Ron, a Program Manager, took time from their busy schedules during an extremely busy time for the Dutch grid operators to share their thoughts on the grid situation and talk about the GOPACS platform, which aims to relieve the grid of congestion, a pressing issue of late in the Netherlands.
E.ON Launches Digital Business to Manage Grid Complexity
With the new company, E.ON aims to bring together digital solutions for utilities to enable the energy sector to make grids smart and allow energy consumption to become more sustainable.
Victoria Ossadnik, member of the E.ON board of management responsible for digitalisation, said regarding the new company: “The energy transition is more urgent than ever and digital solutions are one of the main answers to the growing complexity of the energy system. Millions of households, their appliances and businesses need to be connected to the power grid in an increasingly decentralised energy system.
Over 4.1 GW of RES capacity has already been connected by TAURON to its network
In total, 683 large RES installations with a capacity of 1.314 GW and over 370 thousand micro-installations with a total capacity of 2,819 GW. In the first three quarters, TAURON connected to the distribution network 80 large RES installations with a total capacity of 107 MW and over 93,000 micro-installations with a capacity of 786 MW.
- We are expanding and modernizing distribution networks, investing about PLN 2 billion annually. However, the development of renewable energy sources exceeds the forecasts in this respect many times, and the existing power grid was not designed and built with such needs in mind, explains Paweł Szczeszek, CEO of TAURON Group. - Currently, its modernization and adaptation requires increasing financial outlays and is necessary for the development of renewable energy in Poland - adds Szczeszek.
Boost energy efficiency to tackle climate change, says Schneider Electric
There needs to be more of a focus on less exciting parts of the green transition such as energy efficiency, if countries are to meet their net zero goals, argued a leading analyst at energy specialist Schneider Electric.
Olivier Blum, executive vice president of energy management, told City A.M. enhancing the efficiency of existing buildings was essential to meeting net zero goals over the next three decades – with most Western countries reaffirming the target at COP 27 in Egypt this week.
PRESS RELEASE
OSGP Alliance Becomes CEN-CENELEC LIAISON
CEN-CENELEC/JTC-13 Approved the OSGP Alliance as an official Liaison for their Technical Bodies in the development of standards or other technical deliverables.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 17 November 2022: The OSGP Alliance, a global non-profit association dedicated to promoting the adoption of the Open Smart Grid Protocol (OSGP) and infrastructure for smart grid applications towards a future proof modern smart grid, is pleased to announce that the CEN-CENELEC/JTC 13 recently approved the Liaison participation of the OSGP Alliance.
The approval enables the OSGP Alliance to support the CEN-CENELEC Technical Bodies work associated with the development of standards or other technical deliverables. This includes their efforts related to Cybersecurity and Data Protection. The OSGP Alliance was selected because of its recognized expertise in areas of Smart Grid, Smart Metering, Cybersecurity, and Data Protection.
MARKET NEWS
World Energy Outlook 2022. Executive summary
The world is in a critical decade for delivering a more secure, sustainable and affordable energy system – the potential for faster progress is enormous if strong action is taken immediately. Investments in clean electricity and electrification, along with expanded and modernised grids, offer clear and cost-effective opportunities to cut emissions more rapidly while bringing electricity costs down from their current highs.
Today’s growth rates for deployment of solar PV, wind, EVs and batteries, if maintained, would lead to a much faster transformation than projected in the STEPS, although this would require supportive policies not just in the leading markets for these technologies but across the world. By 2030, if countries deliver on their climate pledges, every second car sold in the European Union, China and the United States is electric.
Spain: EIB and Endesa sign a new credit line of sustainable financing for €250 million to boost the modernisation of distribution networks
Endesa and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are taking a new step in sustainable financing to boost the energy transition. EIB Vice-President, Ricardo Mourinho Félix, and Endesa Chief Financial Officer Luca Passa signed today a EUR 250 million loan in Madrid to finance the investments that e-distribución, Endesa's networks subsidiary, will make during the 2022-2024 period in the improvement, modernisation and expansion of electricity distribution networks.
This is the first sustainable loan granted by the EU Bank to finance distribution networks in Spain, which links the financial conditions to a corporate direct emissions reduction target (GHG scope 1).
EU electricity market transformation is underway: meet the independent aggregators
On return from work, one checks the smart meter to see when it’s best to charge the electric car, switch on the dishwasher or activate the battery storage to save the potential extra electricity produced by the rooftop solar panels. The flexibility in electricity use gets rewarded by a lower energy bill.
At the same time, this willingness to modify consumption ensures the grid can cope with increasing share of weather-depending renewable electricity, either during abundant or lowered power generation. It also means parting ways with electricity from fossil fuels, reducing emissions and getting closer to EU’s climate targets.
The Future is Now: How the Next-Gen Data Center Optimizes Energy Use for Increased Sustainability
Look around: data is everywhere, and we’re all dependent on it. Accordingly, global data center capacity continues to grow at an exponential rate — a pace that is stressing the electrical grid. Various estimates for the global energy consumption in data centers range from 1% to 2% of the world’s energy consumption. This figure translates to around 900 terawatt hours annually and approximately .3% of overall carbon or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
This level of data center capacity constitutes the here and now. Think about the near-term growth fueled by the rapid acceleration of digital transformation. Nearly every industry – finance, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, education, government – is fast-adopting digital technology and customer-facing digital experiences to build or pivot, sustain, and grow their business. As we know, digital technology is inextricable from compute, network, and storage — not to mention the internet of things (IoT) and applications that can be used or accessed at any time, from anywhere. When you add mobile devices to the above data center GHG at .3%, this number grows to almost 2% of the world’s GHG!
Assam to install smart electric meters in households
Guwahati: Assam will have smart electric meters installed in almost every household across the state to minimise energy loss, officials said on Wednesday.
The deadline for completion of the project has been fixed at March 31, 2025. The state government will spend nearly Rs 4,500 crore on this project.
Digitised smart energy networks could save billions in energy costs across the Midlands
The report, Smart Energy – An Energy System for the 21st Century, was co-authored by the Midlands Engine partnership, Siemens and the University of Birmingham. It calls for the accelerated digitisation of regional energy systems to usher in significant domestic energy savings, job creation, and support for the continued rollout of cheap, clean energy sources.
Smart energy systems can include ‘microgrids’, electric vehicles and smart meters, and would use digital technologies and artificial intelligence to balance energy needs across a network.
UPCOMING EVENTS
3rd Annual Africa Solar and Energy Storage Forum, Virtual Event, 29-30 November 2022
Enlit Europe 2022, Frankfurt, Germany, 29 November - 1 December 2022
DISTRIBUTECH International, San Diego, USA, 7-9 February 2023
Africa Energy Indaba Conference & Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa, 7-9 March 2023
Future of Utilities: Energy Transition Summit 2023, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 15-16 March 2023
SGTech Week 2023, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 20-24 March 2023
SMARTGREENS 2023, Prague, Czech Republic, 26-28 April, 2023
World Utilities Congress, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 8-10 May 2023
World Energy Storage Exhibition & Forum, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 10-11 May, 2023
SGF-Cybersecurity Week 2023, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 15-19 May, 2023
Oct2022
MEMBER NEWS
Energy Transitions Podcast: Optimising smart meter installations and project execution
In this episode of the Energy Transitions Podcast Series, experts from Networked Energy Services and Griffin Group take a close look at how to effectively optimise smart meter installations and project execution using various processes and tools.
Guest experts focus on how the features of a smart metering system can support two diverse but common use cases facing utilities – the optimisation of a smart metering deployment and outage recovery after an extreme weather event, with examples from a utility smart meter rollout in Poland and the restoration of power following hurricane damage in Puerto Rico.
Poland’s Tauron mulls technology for next phase of smart meter rollout
Krakow-headquartered DSO Tauron Dystrybucja has reported the rollout of smart meters to over 950,000 customers.
By 2031 it is envisaged that all of the company’s energy consumers will be billed via remote reading, but the question on executives’ minds is what technology should be employed for the next phase of the rollout.
Grupa Apator is updating the business strategy
The updated strategy is based on the existing foundation of Grupa Apator built on the basis of high engineering competences, thanks to which Apator provides advanced technical solutions in the area of key media management for clients from the utilities sector and now extends the offer with new clients.
- Strategic plan for Grupa Apator until 2025 was created in a very unusual and full of turbulence, and therefore not easy for the economy period. On the one hand, it is a macro-environment characterized by difficulties that business did not have to face three, ten or twenty years ago, on the other hand, the progressing trends create new market opportunities for us, and also allow us to strengthen in existing areas. We see attractive sources of income in our traditional business areas. We are already participating in roll-outs of smart meters in Poland and we are prepared for further orders, we also intend to increase the sales scale of our innovative ultrasonic water meters. We will use production capacity more widely in contract production, thanks to which we will reach completely new customers and geographic regions. Our largest ever contract for the supply of gas meters of our own design to the Belgian market is also entering the implementation phase - says Arkadiusz Chmielewski, President of the Management Board of Apator SA.
Joint project by Linz AG and Pappas
A joint energy efficiency and climate protection project by Linz-Energieservice GmbH and Pappas Automobilvertriebs GmbH brought the car dealer energy independence and savings in CO2 emissions.
LINZ. In order to put a stop to the current energy and climate crisis, sustainable activities are needed in industry and business. Significant changes are also necessary in traffic and this is how cooperation between Linz-Energieservice (LES) and Pappas Automobilvertriebs GmbH came about. In the past year and a half, a joint energy efficiency project has been implemented at the two Pappas locations in Linz and Regau.
Andel is ready with DKK 90 billion for a green transition and increased security of supply
The energy and fiber network group Andel is speeding up its investments towards 2035. A double-digit billion amount has been set aside for increased investments in the basic business and production of renewable energy. Investments to ensure that Denmark becomes independent of Russian natural gas and increase security of supply nationally.
Over the past two years, Andel has gone through an extensive integration phase following the purchase of Radius Elnet and Ørsted's Danish private customer and outdoor lighting business and a majority ownership of Energi Danmark.
Eltel and Nordkysten will together expand the electricity network in Zealand for Nexel at an estimated value of DKK 717 million.
The contract between NKEL and Andels' operating company Nexel runs for the next 5 years, with the possibility of annual options for 3 additional years. The framework agreement is an extension of an earlier framework agreement, but will include both additional areas in Zealand and additional tasks, such as power grid reinforcements and customer connections.
According to Director of Eltel Denmark, Claus Metzsch Jensen, it is gratifying that Eltel and Nordkysten will now together take on the task of future-proofing the electricity grid in Copenhagen and large parts of Zealand. According to the director, electricity infrastructure projects like this will pave the way for a far more electrified society, where we will make use of greener energy sources to a greater extent than today.
MARKET NEWS
Commission sets out actions to digitalise the energy sector to improve efficiency and renewables integration
The European Green Deal and the REPowerEU Plan require a deep transformation of our energy system, which needs to become more interactive and smarter to help consumers embrace the benefits of the green transition. Today, the Commission is presenting an Action Plan highlighting how new technologies can help improve the efficient use of energy resources, facilitate the integration of renewables into the grid, and save costs for EU consumers and energy companies.
The Commission is setting out actions to boost data sharing, promote investments in digital electricity infrastructure, ensure benefits for consumers and strengthen cybersecurity. With data centres and the growing appetite for online services demanding ever more resources from our energy system, today's plan also outlines ways to decouple the energy footprint of the ICT sector from the exponential growth of data.The green and digital transition must go hand in hand.
Spain: Iberdrola and EIB sign a €220 million green loan top-up to boost smart grids
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Iberdrola have agreed to increase the green loan signed in 2021 to support the development, modernisation and digitisation of the company's electricity distribution networks, a project with an impact on twelve Spanish regions. The €220 million top-up signed today brings the total EIB financing to around €820 million, allocated to strengthen smart grids in Spain and contribute to the further electrification of the economy. The project linked to the loan will improve the efficiency of the distribution network, characterised by automation and control.
With this loan, Iberdrola will boost recovery of the Spanish economy and employment by safeguarding around 10,000 jobs a year in Spain during the implementation period, according to the EIB's estimates. This loan supports the EU Bank's regional cohesion and development objectives, which give priority to promoting projects in less developed regions with a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) below the EU average. In this respect, 68% of the i-DE plan contemplated in this agreement is being developed in those Spanish regions.
Romania secures €420m+ for massive grid overhaul
Contracts have been signed valuing €424.4 million ($411.8 million) for nine projects to oversee the digitisation and modernisation of Romania’s transmission network and power grid.
The contracts were signed yesterday between the country’s Ministry of Energy and the national electric power transport company, Transelectrica SA.
India – 5 Million Smart Meter Milestone
The five million smart meter milestone was passed in India on the last day of September, according to National Smart Grid Mission statistics.
Of these just over 1.2 million are smart prepaid meters.
Behavioural role of smart meters in demand relief
Even as Africa bands together to find solutions to the global energy crises, great emphasis is placed on increasing energy supply. But, less time and research is spent on creating effective ways to temper energy demand or promote sustainable energy consumption.
African presidents have met to discuss affordable, relevant, clean and energy-efficient fuel alternatives to boost the continent’s generation capacity and address Africa’s widening energy deficit.
The Time Is Now: Stepping Up Cyber Security for the Energy Sector
The recent passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act will incentivize a new wave of investment in energy infrastructure. With that wave, we have an opportunity to build cybersecurity approaches that keep up with the energy transition.
Nearly all energy infrastructure from today forward will be digitally managed. Optimizing for efficiency minimizes emissions and costs simultaneously – a powerful combination that answers both business and climate needs. Retrofits, renewables, and future business models will rely on networked digital devices to manage and operate physical energy assets.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Egypt Energy, Egypt International Exhibition Centre, 30 October - 1 November 2022
ADIPEC 2022, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 31 October - 3 November 2022
ASEAN M&E 2022, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 7-9 November 2022
Smart City Expo World Congress, Barcelona, Spain, 15-17 November 2022
Central European Energy Conference 2022, Bratislava, Slovakia, 21 November 2022
Future of Utilities Summit, London, UK, 21-22 November 2022
3rd Annual Africa Solar and Energy Storage Forum, Virtual Event, 29-30 November 2022
DISTRIBUTECH International, San Diego, USA, 7-9 February 2023
Energy Indaba Conference & Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa, 7-9 March 2023
SGTech Week 2023, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 20-24 March 2023
SMARTGREENS 2023, Prague, Czech Republic, 26-28 April, 2023
World Energy Storage Exhibition & Forum, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 10-11 May, 2023
Sep2022
MEMBER NEWS
Networked Energy Services Received Official METAS Data Security Certification
San Jose, CA, September 19, 2022: Networked Energy Services Corporation (NES), a global smart grid solution provider with the industry’s leading Energy Applications Platform (EAPTM), is excited to announce the official final data security certification according to article 8b of the Swiss StromVV (Electricity Supply Ordinance) for the NES AMI and Smart Grid platform and all of its Smart Grid components including residential electricity smart meters, Data Concentrators, and the Head-End System Software.
NES received its preliminary METAS certification approval earlier this year. With this important step of obtaining the official certification, it confirms that NES provides a comprehensive end-to-end Smart Grid solution that not only satisfies current data security requirements but can also dynamically react to potential cyber security threats in the future.
Alliander raises another 500 million euros with green bond loan
Network company Alliander has successfully issued a green bond for the third time. The parent company of grid operator Liander has raised 500 million euros through the Green Bond.
The capital is used to finance investments in the electricity grid. In recent years, the network company has raised 1.7 billion euros with the 3 green bond loans.
TAURON supports school electrical laboratories
TAURON has equipped secondary vocational schools from Głogów, Legnica and Lubin with specialist measuring equipment, cables and parts of power installations. All this as part of many years of cooperation with schools. This is the company's contribution to the education of future electricians and power engineers, some of whom will find employment in the distribution of electricity in the region.
For several years now, TAURON Dystrybucja has been carrying out activities related to the promotion of electric and energy professions. The company cooperates with 33 vocational secondary schools in its area and convinces young people that the work in the energy sector is interesting, necessary and prospective. 39 graduates of these schools were employed last year by TAURON Dystrybucja.
Driving the electrification of commercial vehicles: E.ON gears up for the future e-transport market
The energy company E.ON is focusing on the future market of e-transport. With the aim of significantly expanding its business with products, technologies and services for electric commercial vehicle fleets, E.ON has bundled its existing activities in a new organizational unit. By 2025, E.ON's e-mobility offering for electric charging of commercial vehicles is to be expanded to become the market leader in Europe under the name E.ON Drive eTransport.
Battery-powered commercial vehicles are still the exception. In contrast to the passenger car market, the transport sector today is only at the beginning of its development towards emission-free mobility. But the interest of companies and municipalities in electrifying their fleets is growing. In view of the climate targets, increasing freight transport and the growth of electric drives in local and long-distance public transport, the challenges of charging infrastructure, land use and grid connection are also becoming increasingly demanding.
Sheep and panels - the first solar park will be connected to Caruna's electricity grid in Kemiönsaari
The electricity distribution company Caruna and Ruda Solpark Ab have signed an agreement to connect the solar power park to the electricity grid in Kemiönsaari. Solar park is a shared use park - in addition to the panels, sheep graze in the field. The panels are placed in such a way that the sheep cannot knock them over and they do not harm the animals.
The Kemiönsaari solar power plant will be built on a field area where 3,600 solar panels will be placed. In the future, the purpose of the solar power plant is to produce 1.98MWp of electricity and sell it to the contract partner Caruna's network.
Eltel signs a frame agreement in Finland worth about EUR 75 million
Eltel Finland has signed a frame agreement with Caruna, a Finnish energy company, to ensure a reliable power distribution. The three-year frame agreement includes two additional option years and is worth about EUR 75 million.
The frame agreement is based on a geographical model where Eltel is responsible for field services for Caruna’s end customers, distribution network fault repairs as well as maintenance and construction works in awarded municipalities.
MARKET NEWS
Ed’s Note: First official mention of blackouts
It comes from Greece, where the local media mentioned that electricity for all might not be a given during peak hours, while small duration blackouts could become the new normal.
Although the Greek minister of energy, Kostas Skrekas, mentioned recently that the possibility of a blackout is very small, the fact remains that the mandatory 5% cut from the EU Commission forces hands. And it seems like Greece is picking up responsibilities fast. Kind of feel proud here, I won’t lie.
EU Proposes Strict Cybersecurity Rules for Digital-Product Makers
Companies that make digital devices and software will need to prove they fulfill basic cybersecurity requirements under a new European proposal intended to reduce hacking risks in a range of products, from home appliances and wearable devices to software and computers.
The draft legislation introduced Thursday also requires manufacturers that do business in the European Union to provide security patches and updates for the product’s lifetime or five years after going to market, whichever is shorter. Companies that break the rules would face fines of up to 15 million euros, equivalent to $15 million, or 2.5% of global revenue.
Project CARMEN: joint Romania-Hungary smart grid
The Carpathian Modernised Energy Network (CARMEN) smart grid project is up for funding from the Connecting Europe Facility programme.
The project, led by Romanian electricity and gas distribution operator Delgaz Grid and the transmission operator CNTEE Transelectrica in partnership with the Hungarian TSO Magyar Villamosenergia-ipari Átviteli Resdzerszártós (MAVIR), is eligible as one of the European Commission’s ‘projects of common interest’.
Smart meters are being installed in Odesa
Odessa energy company is planning to install almost 16,000 smart electricity meters in customers' homes by the end of 2022
Despite the difficult situation in the country due to the state of war, Odessa energy companies resumed the installation of smart metering devices in the homes of customers. New electric meters are multi-zone and help to save on electricity. They are installed instead of old ones that have reached the end of their service life. In total, in 2022, Odesa residents and residents of the region will receive 15,877 new modern meters.
Elia uses battery-powered virtual power plant for grid balancing
Elia has announced use of battery technology from Smart E-Grid, developed by renewable tech developer Opteco, to connect consumers’ energy in what they tout as one of the largest battery-powered virtual power plants (VPPs).
The TSO has stated how the VPP enables over 2000 families in Flanders to help maintain the balance in the Belgian electricity grid through their home battery.
Biden-Harris Administration Launches $10.5 Billion Investment to Strengthen America’s Electric Grid
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input on the $10.5 billion Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership Program to enhance the resilience and reliability of America’s electric grid. The RFI seeks information from states, Tribes, communities, utilities, project developers, and other key stakeholders to help refine the funding opportunity announcement that will be made later this year and to guide the implementation of the funding over five years to enhance the electric grid in support of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These programs will accelerate the deployment of transformative projects that will help to ensure the reliability of the power sector’s infrastructure, so all American communities have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity anytime, anywhere while helping deliver on the President’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035.
“DOE is moving quickly to upgrade the nation’s power grid in order to provide American households with more reliable and affordable electricity that comes from a more diverse set of clean energy sources,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing in improving and expanding transmission and distribution systems across the country, driving down energy costs and generating good-paying jobs.”
EU Proposes Strict Cybersecurity Rules for Digital-Product Makers
Companies that make digital devices and software will need to prove they fulfill basic cybersecurity requirements under a new European proposal intended to reduce hacking risks in a range of products, from home appliances and wearable devices to software and computers.
The draft legislation introduced Thursday also requires manufacturers that do business in the European Union to provide security patches and updates for the product’s lifetime or five years after going to market, whichever is shorter. Companies that break the rules would face fines of up to 15 million euros, equivalent to $15 million, or 2.5% of global revenue.
UPCOMING EVENTS
POWERGEN India & Indian Utility Week & DISTRIBUTECH India 2022, New Delhi, India, 12-14 October 2022
15th EIF World Energy Congress and Expo, Istanbul, Turkey, 12-14 October 2022
IEC 61850 Week, Cardiff, UK, 17-21 October 2022
Smart Energy World Summit, Lisbon, Portugal, 18-19 October 2022
African Energy Week (AEW), Cape Town, South Africa, 18-21 October 2022
Zambia Energy Summit, Lusaka, Zambia, 26-28 October 2022
Egypt Energy, Egypt International Exhibition Centre, 30 October - 1 November 2022
ADIPEC 2022, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 31 October - 3 November 2022
ASEAN M&E 2022, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 7-9 November 2022
Smart City Expo World Congress, Barcelona, Spain, 15-17 November 2022
Central European Energy Conference 2022, Bratislava, Slovakia, 21 November 2022
Future of Utilities Summit, London, UK, 21-22 November 2022
3rd Annual Africa Solar and Energy Storage Forum, Virtual Event, 29-30 November 2022
DISTRIBUTECH International, San Diego, USA, 7-9 February 2023
SMARTGREENS 2023, Prague, Czech Republic, 26-28 April, 2023
Aug2022
MEMBER NEWS
Vattenfall Wants Offshore Wind Turbines and EVs to ‘Talk’ to Avoid Grid Congestion
European energy company, Vattenfall, wants wind turbines and electric vehicles to communicate with each other about available wind power and EV charging demand in order to avoid electric grid congestion.
The rapid growth of electrified transportation is threatening to overload the electricity grid due to the strain they can put on the grid during times of high electricity demand. Vatenfall believes this can be avoided through smarter matching of energy supply and demand. To achieve this, the , company aims to launch a ‘smart charging’ pilot project using wind power from the Hollandse Kust West wind farm due to be commissioned in 2026. The wind farm, distributed across two areas on the west coast of the Netherlands, are eatch expected to generate a minimum 700MW of electricity.
Griffin Group Energy delivered additional smart meters in OSGP Technology for Zbiornika Czorsztyńskiego
ZEW Niedzica S.A. was one of the first DSOs in Poland to equip 100% of its customers with smart electricity meters based on the OSGP technology.
Griffin Group Energy, a member of the OSGP Alliance provided, inter alia, for ZEW Niedzica meters in the OSGP technology of the American manufacturer NES for intelligent management of the distribution network while maintaining the highest standards of PLC communication security used in the world.
Griffin Group Energy specializing in the implementation of large-scale innovative solutions for Distribution System Operators in Poland, responsible for managing the entire contract process, designed, built and integrated an energy storage system that was produced by the Swiss Leclanché, a company with over 100 years of tradition that provided batteries with lithium-titanium cells that are characterized by much greater efficiency and safety compared to traditional NMC or LFP currently commonly used.
Oracle Helps Utilities in Washington, South Carolina, Indiana with Reliability
Utilities are adopting Oracle Utilities Cloud applications to improve customer service, billing, asset management, meter management and other essential services. Today, more than 210 utilities are serving 107 million households and nearly 10 million smart meters worldwide with Oracle Energy and Water cloud solutions.
Oracle Cloud for Utilities solutions include Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service, Oracle Utilities Billing Cloud Service, Oracle Customer Experience for Utilities, Oracle Utilities Work and Asset Cloud Service, Oracle Opower solutions and others.
Solar power from the roof of the north fire station - PV citizen participation project successfully implemented
LINZ. Linz AG is continuing its Solar-Offensive with a public participation project and is thus making a further contribution to realizing climate protection goals. Most recently, a photovoltaic system for the Linz professional fire brigade was set up at the north fire station. At the beginning of August, customers of Linz AG were able to purchase so-called “sunshine” and thus participate in this system.
Linz AG creates the opportunity for citizens who do not own or cannot set up a PV system to participate in climate protection and become part of the energy transition. A total of 208 “Sunshine” awards were given.
Transformer Monitoring and Balancing
Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is an integrated system of smart meters, communication networks, and data management systems that enables two-way communication between utilities and customers. An AMI system provides a number of important core functions including the ability to automatically and remotely measure energy usage, connect and disconnect service, detect tampering, promote load conservation, identify and respond to power outages.
In addition, there are other significant benefits that can be enabled including balancing energy at the transformer phase level, identifying distribution losses, monitoring power quality, and improving efficiency of electricity distribution. Also, the AMI System should enable monitoring the health of the secondary distribution stations including monitoring the energy and power quality data of secondary transformers.
Alliander’s investments continue their upward trend
In the first half of 2022, network company Alliander invested €579 million, mainly in expanding the gas and electricity network. This was €114 million more than in the first half of 2021. This means that, once again, more work has been completed compared to the same period last year. Operating profit remained stable at €168 million, compared to €169 million in the first half of 2021.
It was a turbulent year. The war between Russia and Ukraine makes the energy transition even more urgent. In addition, the European Commission stepped up its climate ambitions and the Dutch government announced its sustainability plans for the built environment. Together, these developments are resulting in an upsurge in electricity demand, increasing the urgency to adapt the energy networks and ready them for the near future. Working on the changing energy grid is a colossal task, one that will require even more intensive cooperation with all parties who have a role to play. Unfortunately, businesses — and increasingly consumers too — sometimes still need to wait before they can be connected to the grid or expand their connection. This is partly caused by a shortage of technical staff, but it is also due to a shortage of materials like smart electricity meters, cables and transformers.
E.ON extends innovation cooperation with Microsoft
E.ON is working with Microsoft to develop future innovations geared towards a successful energy transition. The two companies are expanding their existing cooperation with an innovation collaboration for advancing digitalization and developing new sustainability solutions for the future. The goal is clear: both partners will develop projects in close cooperation and build on each other’s expertise to bring solutions to the next level of maturity more quickly.
Following joint digitalization projects in areas such as Future Energy Home, cloud and security solutions, the extended collaboration is now being extended to include the innovation area. Microsoft and E.ON will now jointly identify new projects and develop solutions using technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, among others. The innovation collaboration will provide both partners with a faster learning curve in terms of developing more products and services for their customers, as well as more effective processes in their organizations.
MARKET NEWS
EU supports Serbia with loans, grant for power interconnections, smart metering
The EU approved a EUR 17 million donation to Serbia for power interconnections with BiH and Montenegro and the introduction of an advanced system for remote reading of electricity meters. The grants are from the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). The two projects are worth a combined EUR 81 million and they are financed through loans.
Within the sixth call for proposals for projects from the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), the European Union approved grants to Serbia for two endeavors in the energy sector, Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović said.
DEWA virtual power plant enhances smart grid DER integration
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has enhanced integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) in its smart grid through its Virtual Power Plant (VPP), touted by the company as the first of its kind in the region.
The VPP is an advanced technology based on aggregation, orchestration, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based forecasting, and optimisation to integrate diverse DERs and support DEWA’s smart grid.
DOE Announces $45 Million for Next-Generation Cyber Tools to Protect the Power Grid
August 19, 2022 -- The U.S. Department of Energy this week (Aug 17) announced $45 million to create, accelerate, and test technology that will protect the U.S. electric grid from cyber-attacks to seamlessly help deploy clean and cheap energy. Cyber threats to energy systems can shut down critical energy infrastructure and disrupt energy supply, the economy, and the health of consumers. Combined with the additional grid upgrades funded in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, the United States will have an opportunity to build greater cyber defenses into its energy sector. The newly announced funding will support up to 15 research, development, and demonstration projects that will focus on developing new cybersecurity tools and technologies designed to reduce cyber risks for energy delivery infrastructure.
'As DOE builds out America's clean energy infrastructure, this funding will provide the tools for a strong, resilient, and secure electricity grid that can withstand modern cyberthreats and deliver energy to every pocket of America,' said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. 'DOE will use this investment to continue delivering on the Biden Administration's commitment to making energy cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable.'
A.C. Electric to begin upgrading customers to smart meters
Everyone knows they can be more energy efficient — which will save them money and help the environment. Atlantic City Electric is giving its customers the ability to do just that.
On Thursday, Atlantic City Electric announced it will start the broad installation of new smart meters for its nearly 565,000 customers, beginning in September and continuing through 2024.
India launches electricity distribution revival plan
India has launched a plan to invest 3.04 trillion rupees ($38.4bn) in reviving ailing electricity distributors, with a broader goal to boost the country's power sector.
Prime minister Narendra Modi launched the plan on 30 July, around a year after it was approved by the federal cabinet.
Smart meters to cover Oman’s power sector by 2025
A National Smart Meter Programme launched by the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APRS), in coordination with other sector stakeholders, envisages the installation of an estimated 1.2 million smart meters covering all electricity consumers by 2025.
The initiative – launched as part of the government’s digital transformation drive – is expected to deliver a number of far-reaching benefits to consumers, as well as the broader electricity sector.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Enlit Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 20-22 September 2022
CAREC Conference & Exhibition, Miami, USA, 25-29 September 2022
MENA Energy Forum, Digital Forum, 27-28 September 2022
POWERGEN India & Indian Utility Week & DISTRIBUTECH India 2022, New Delhi, India, 12-14 October 2022
15th EIF World Energy Congress and Expo, Istanbul, Turkey, 12-14 October 2022
IEC 61850 Week, Cardiff, UK, 17-21 October 2022
Smart Energy World Summit, Lisbon, Portugal, 18-19 October 2022
African Energy Week (AEW), Cape Town, South Africa, 18-21 October 2022
Egypt Energy, Egypt International Exhibition Centre, 30 October - 1 November 2022
ASEAN M&E 2022, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 7-9 November 2022
Smart City Expo World Congress, Barcelona, Spain, 15-17 November 2022
Central European Energy Conference 2022, Bratislava, Slovakia, 21 November 2022
Future of Utilities Summit, London, UK, 21-22 November 2022
3rd Annual Africa Solar and Energy Storage Forum, Virtual Event, 29-30 November 2022
Jul2022
MEMBER NEWS
Energy Transitions Podcast: AMI – benefits & challenges of this technology for developing countries
Industry experts Sunil Mittal – Director of Business Development for the Indian Market, Networked Energy Services and Larry Colton, Director of International Business Development & Government Affairs, Networked Energy Services, discuss the benefits and challenges associated with AMI for developing countries.
In this episode of the Energy Transitions Podcast, our guests unpack the benefits and challenges of AMI for a developing country like India, which is going through a massive AMI rollout exercise for its 270 million electricity connections.
While there will be many benefits to the distribution companies from the adoption of AMI, there will be many unknowns and unforeseen challenges for all stakeholders, including system integrators, OEMs, utilities, government and consumers.
Read more…
Smart meters for Poland’s Tauron
A consortium including Griffin Group S.A. Energy and Apator SA are to supply smart meters to the DSO Tauron Dystrybucja in Wrocław.
The meters will have a PLC communication module in the OSGP standard. While the number of meters has not been specified,, the value of the offer amounts to approximately PLN 190 million ($42 million), with the option to increase orders by 12%.
Optimising a building’s energy consumption through data analysis
According to various sources, up to 30% of the total energy consumption of a building can be attributed to heating, ventilation, and cooling. One of the most effective ways of optimising these involves having access to the right data.
Analysing this data will provide the necessary guidance to where the most relevant interventions can be implemented to significantly reduce energy costs.
Vattenfall deploys fully managed EV charging facilities at Instabox delivery hubs
Vattenfall is to provide charging infrastructure for Instabox’s fleet in Europe, supporting the last-mile delivery firm’s work to go electric.
Instabox delivers packages for a large number of e-commerce companies and its international collaboration with Vattenfall will deliver fully managed EV charging facilities at its delivery hubs in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Supply Chain amidst a global shortage - Conlog
The electricity supply industry is not immune to the global supply chain crisis. The shortages of materials are partly due to the pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine, and disruptions from worldwide port congestion – all of which will have a long-lasting impact on business strategies.
Due to the high demand for and significant investment in electronic devices in many sectors, the need for such devices is currently far greater than the rate at which they can be produced. As a result, components’ supply and demand challenges result in long lead times and risks in price fluctuations. Meanwhile, component shortages and supply chain threats impact the availability of electricity meters and related equipment such as semiconductors.
E.ON starts piloting 500-metre "solar circles" on Spanish island
July 22 (Renewables Now) - German electric utility E.ON SE (ETR:EOAN) said that it has partnered with the town of Adeje, on the Spanish island of Tenerife, on a pilot project to establish solar PV-based energy communities centered around rooftop-mounted systems.
The idea behind the initiative, called Adeje Verde, is to connect around 200 consumers within a 500-metre (1,640 ft) radius to rooftop solar production units that are run by prosumers. The systems would then generate power that can be shared and used by the surrounding neighbours, creating a “solar circle”, as E.ON puts it.
MARKET NEWS
Enemy launches hacker attacks on the power system
The russian federation has carried out a cyber attack on DTEK Group's IT infrastructure.
The attackers' goal was to destabilise the technological processes at power generating and distribution companies and undermine Ukraine's energy security as well as to spread deliberately false information about the companies' operation through state propaganda agencies and as a result leave Ukrainian consumers without power.
It was at the same time as a terrorist missile attack on the Kryvorizka TPP took place that another attempt was witnessed to attack the company's digital infrastructure.
Smart metering – next steps in Europe
Smart metering still has some way to go in Europe, likely to reach the 80% threshold penetration for electricity only around 2025.
Standards, interoperability and consumer access to real time data are some of the aspects that need to be addressed.
Kenya Power aims to double customers on smart meters
Kenya Power plans to double the number of businesses connected with smart metres as it moves to seal revenue leaks by curbing power theft.
The firm is eyeing the installation of smart meters at the premises of 75,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) this financial year.
Asia-Pacific is on its way to reach the milestone of 1 billion smart electricity meters in 2026
The smart electricity metering market in Asia-Pacific is well on its way to reach the historic milestone of 1 billion installed devices.
A new research report from the IoT analyst firm Berg Insight analyses the development of smart metering technology in China, Japan, South Korea, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand. According to the study, the installed base of smart electricity meters in Asia-Pacific will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2 percent from 757.7 million units in 2021 to 1.1 billion units in 2027. At this pace, the milestone of 1 billion installed devices will be reached in 2026. The penetration rate of smart electricity meters in Asia-Pacific will at the same time grow from 59 percent in 2021 to 74 percent in 2027 while cumulative shipments during the forecast period will amount to a total of 934.6 million units.
Nesco to install 1.2 million more smart prepayment meters in northern region
A total of 1.2 million more smart prepayment meters are going to be installed in the country’s northwest region aimed at cent per cent revenue collection besides reducing system loss to 1%.
Northern Electricity Supply Company (Nesco) Limited, headquarters in Rajshahi, will install the smart meters under its project styled “Installation of 12 lakh smart prepayment meters in Nesco areas” with an estimated cost of around Tk712.63 crore.
5 digital solutions for a greener Europe
The science is clear: we must act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the use of natural resources to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and biodiversity collapse. EU science and digital solutions can help to make the big changes.
We need to change the way we produce, the kind of energy we use, the buildings we live in, how we travel from place to place, the things we buy and the way we make our food.
UPCOMING EVENTS
2022 Asia-Pacific Power Supply Product and Technology Exhibition, Guangzhou, China, 10-12 August 2022
Enlit Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 20-22 September 2022
CAREC Conference & Exhibition, Miami, USA, 25-29 September 2022
POWERGEN India & Indian Utility Week & DISTRIBUTECH India 2022, New Delhi, India, 12-14 October 2022
IEC 61850 Week, Cardiff, UK, 17-21 October 2022
Smart Energy World Summit, Lisbon, Portugal, 18-19 October 2022
EcoEnergy Expo 2022, Kyiv, Ukraine, 18-20 October 2022
African Energy Week (AEW), Cape Town, South Africa, 18-21 October 2022
Egypt Energy, Egypt International Exhibition Centre, 30 October - 1 November 2022
ASEAN M&E 2022, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 7-9 November 2022
Smart City Expo World Congress, Barcelona, Spain, 15-17 November 2022
Future of Utilities Summit, London, UK, 21-22 November 2022
3rd Annual Africa Solar and Energy Storage Forum, Virtual Event, 29-30 November 2022
Jun2022
MEMBER NEWS
OSGP Alliance has opened up the Multi Expansion Port, MEP.
The OSGP Alliance has released information regarding the MEP and Optical port on the OSGP meters to the developer community via GitHub. This allows developers to create solutions that read energy and consumption data from the meters to use in home displays or integrate in an inhome energy management system. The OSGP Alliance expects many developers to take advantage and share developments and information through GitHub community.
OSGP advances G3-PLC and M2M LTE-CAT-M implementations
The OSGP Alliance has formed new working groups on G3-PLC and M2M LTE-CAT-M within its standards committee.
The G3-PLC work group is aiming to establish collaborations in worldwide markets to develop, test and promote the OSGP G3-PLC implementation, while the M2M LTE-CAT-M working group is focussed on expanding the communication options available via OSGP
Introducing the fifth generation of smart meters: The NES story
Networked Energy Services (NES), originally part of Echelon, started its smart metering journey over 20-years ago. In 2001, NES participated in the first large-scale smart metering project with Enel in Italy, where more than 30 million smart meters were deployed. At this point, the smart metering evolution is well established, with hundreds of millions of smart meters being installed across Europe and the world.
Since producing its first smart meters about 20-years ago, the experience and many lessons-learned have put NES in a position to now offer the 5th generation of smart meters.
Consortium including Griffin Group SA and Apator will deliver smart meters in OSGP technology for Tauron Dystrybucja
A consortium of Polish companies, which includes GRIFFIN GROUP SA ENERGY and Apator SA, signed an agreement with Tauron Dystrybucja for the supply of meters.
The consortium will provide modern remote reading meters with a PLC communication module in the OSGP standard. The value of the offer is approximately PLN 190 million, with an option to increase orders by 12%.
Kontron AG: S&T AG changes name to Kontron AG
Linz, 1 June 2022: Kontron AG announces that the change of the company’s corporate name decided by the company’s Annual General Meeting on 6 May, 2022 to Kontron AG and the associated amendment to the articles of association was entered in the Austrian commercial register (FN 190272m) on the 1st of June, 2022.
The company has changed its name due to the focus of Kontron AG and its group companies on technologies related to the Internet of Things (IoT), which have been marketed under the Kontron brand for several years. As a multinational technology leader, Kontron AG offers its customers intelligent IoT solutions in a variety of vertical markets — such as smart factory, transportation, medical technology and telecommunications — and expects strong growth in these areas in the coming years. The Group already generates around two thirds of its revenue, which was EUR 1,342 million in financial year 2021, in the IoT segment. By 2025, the company aims to increase revenues to EUR 2,000 million in the high-margin IoT business segment. For Kontron AG, the change of name is a step in the transformation process towards becoming a leading IoT player.
Eon drones begin ‘inside-out’ home and energy health assessments
Energy firm Eon and Nationwide Drones have jointly launched drone and laser scanner-led home ‘health assessments’ – which they claim can gauge solar, heat pump and insulation suitability in under an hour – and outlined ambitions to harness drone tech across ‘all survey requirements’.
Using body-worn mobile laser scanners and thermal analysis, Eon’s drone pilot home assessors have begun surveying walls, floors and ceilings, with findings used alongside aerial 4k resolution photos and combined high-resolution shots of a property’s roof and surrounding area to measure a home’s capacity for flexible assets.
MARKET NEWS
Networked Energy Services received the support of the Polish Investment Zone. What will be built in Gdańsk?
Networked Energy Services (NES) received support from the Polish Investment Zone for the creation of a new plant - "Logistics and Configuration Center". The decision to grant the tax relief was issued by the Board of the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone.
Networked Energy Services Sp. z o.o. (NES), a global provider of smart grid solutions with an industry-leading Application Platform for the Energy Sector (EAPTM), based in Gdańsk, is proud to announce that on May 5, 2022, it received a positive decision of the Polish Investment Zone, issued by the Pomeranian Special Zone Management Board Ekonomiczna (PSSE) to support the project of the Logistics and Configuration Center.
Ed’s note: Smart meters – still a cornerstone of utility operations
Anyone working in the energy sector knows by now that it is undergoing an unprecedented and rapid change, requiring the introduction of many new and previously unknown technologies.
Over the past few years, we have seen an acceleration in the need for the deployment of renewables, the growth of storage, the emergence of widespread electric vehicle infrastructure, the mainstreaming of new enablers such as blockchain, the shift of intelligence to the edge, the race for hydrogen and more.
Eightfold increase in number of prosumers recorded in Romania in 2021
Romania enabled a massive increase last year in the number of prosumers connected to the distribution grid, by 732% to 13,596, with ongoing subsidy programs, reforms and investments in smart metering.
Prosumers are one of the most dynamic parts of the electricity system, according to the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority – ANRE. Economica.net reported, citing the agency’s data, that legislation change from 2020 led to an increase in the number of prosumers by 8.3 times last year. At the same time, installed power in the category grew 5.2 times to 85 MW.
Energy sector expects increase in cyberattacks, research shows
New research published by risk management and quality assurance company DNV shows that energy executives anticipate life, property and environment-compromising cyberattacks on the sector within the next two years.
The ‘Cyber Priority’ report finds that 85% of professionals working in the power, renewables, and oil and gas sectors believe a cyberattack on the industry is likely to cause operational shutdowns and 84% expect damage to energy assets and critical infrastructure.
New international partnership puts communities and smart grids at the heart of net zero
First introduced at COP26, the International Community for Local Smart Grids (ICLSG) will undertake ground-breaking research that will be informed by the learnings and expertise of the partners.
Today marks the official launch of an international knowledge-sharing partnership of distribution network operators and community energy enterprises and organisations, convened by the University of Oxford and its Research Partner Enel Foundation and supported by the co-founders Ausgrid, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and Low Carbon Hub.
Modernisation Fund invests €2.4 billion to accelerate the green transition in 7 beneficiary countries
Today, the Modernisation Fund made available €2.4 billion to seven beneficiary countries to help modernise their energy systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in energy, industry and transport, and support them in meeting their 2030 climate and energy targets. Investments were confirmed in Romania (€1391.6 million), Czechia (€520 million), Poland (€244.2 million), Lithuania (€85 million), Hungary (€74.3 million), Slovakia (€49.5 million), and Croatia (€40 million). This concludes the third investment cycle of the Modernisation Fund and represents a sharp increase in spending compared to previous investment cycles.
European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans said: “The Modernisation Fund is European solidarity in action. With revenues from the emissions trading system it delivers concrete results on the ground, helping beneficiary countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions in key sectors and become climate neutral. Moreover, this major financial injection is available to launch projects that will help speed up our energy transition in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
International SAP Conference for Utilities, Munich, Germany, 5-7 July 2022
International Congres on Advanced Materials Science and Engineering (AMSE-2022), Opatija, Croatia, 21-25 July 2022
2022 Asia-Pacific Power Supply Product and Technology Exhibition, Guangzhou, China, 10-12 August 2022
Enlit Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 20-22 September 2022
IEC 61850 Week, Cardiff, UK, 17-21 October 2022
EcoEnergy Expo 2022, Kyiv, Ukraine, 18-20 October 2022
African Energy Week (AEW), Cape Town, South Africa, 18-21 October 2022
Egypt Energy, Egypt International Exhibition Centre, 30 October - 1 November 2022
ASEAN M&E 2022, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 7-9 November 2022
Smart City Expo World Congress, Barcelona, Spain, 15-17 November 2022
Future of Utilities Summit, London, UK, 21-22 November 2022
May2022
PRESS RELEASES
New G3-PLC and M2M LTE-CAT-M Working Groups Established by OSGP Alliance
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 23 May 2022
The OSGP (Open Smart Grid Protocol) Alliance announced today that two new working groups have been established within the OSGP Alliance standards committee.
In 2015, OSGP Alliance members started collaboration with the G3-PLC Alliance to develop a G3-PLC based implementation of OSGP. One of the members, Networked Energy Services (NES), with OSGP compliant smart meters, received certification for G3-PLC communication in 2016 for their single phase meters and in 2017 for their poly phase meters. After this initiative, various utilities, who were looking for smart grid solutions based on G3-PLC technology, supported creating the G3-PLC working groups due to their positive experience and confidence in using the Open Smart Grid Protocol (OSGP).
Networked Energy Services Received Smart Metering Project Extension from LINZ NETZ GmbH
San Jose, CA, 12 May 2022
LINZ NETZ GmbH expands its smart meter deployment with NES, strengthening the security of its deployment that meets Austria’s leading regulatory requirements
Networked Energy Services Corporation (NES), a global smart grid solution provider with the industry’s leading Energy Applications Platform (EAPTM), announced today that LINZ NETZ GmbH (LN) has exercised its option to obtain an additional 30,000 smart meters and supporting communications infrastructure and software from NES.
MEMBERS NEWS
Rethinking energy usage in South Africa
23 May 2022 , By Frikkie Malan, head of sustainability at Remote Metering Solutions
South Africans are all too aware of the ongoing electricity supply issues facing the country. The deteriorating electrical generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure is cause for significant concern. Adding to this are the ongoing climate-related discussions around the long-term viability of the energy sector. It should therefore hardly come as a surprise that businesses and building owners are scrutinising whether their precious kWh units are going to waste.
ETM Mätteknik AB is now a part of Sigicom
ETM Mätteknik AB and the slightly smaller sister company ETM Communications AB, are a part of Sigicom since February, 2022.
ETM Mätteknik AB is a leading Swedish IoT supplier of cellular-based devices for several industrial applications. The company has manufactured and delivered more than half a million cellular communication devices to customers worldwide. ETM was founded in 1988 and was headquartered in Bromma outside Stockholm before they moved into Sigicom’s office in Älvsjö at the beginning of May.
Read more…Significant increase in use of charging stations: enthusiasm for electric driving has risen sharply after the pandemic
Since January, much more use has been made of public charging stations for electric cars than in the same period last year. It is not surprising that the corona measures have had a major impact on the charging behavior of electric drivers. What is striking is that charging station use has also increased compared to the period before corona.
The rising trend can be seen throughout the Netherlands. The largest increase in absolute volumes can be found in Amsterdam and the surrounding area. With 35%, the strongest increase in consumption per charge point per day can be seen at Vattenfall's fast charge points.
Tauron will connect another 200 electric car charging stations
Tauron will connect 200 publicly accessible charging stations for electric vehicles. They will appear in eight cities of the province. Śląskie, as well as in Opole and Tarnów.
So far, Tauron has connected over 70 such stations to the network, helping local governments to meet statutory requirements. On the basis of the amended Act on electromobility and alternative fuels, energy groups help municipalities meet their obligation to provide an appropriate number of charging points for electric vehicles. In the area of Tauron's operations, only the authorities of Krakow, Katowice and Wrocław had previously declared that they would meet the statutory standards in the required time. Other cities had a problem with that.
Schneider Electric set to acquire AutoGrid
AutoGrid, a specialist in AI-driven optimization for distributed energy resources (DERs), has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by Schneider Electric.
Schneider Electric and AutoGrid are no strangers to one another, as they have previously partnered on a fully integrated advanced distribution management system, as well as a distributed energy resources management system (DERMS), which was released two years ago.
Duke Energy renewable energy growth soars by 20% in 2021
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) had its best year ever for adding renewable energy as the company posted a 20% jump in wind and solar power in 2021.
This information, along with large amounts of other data and insights, was detailed in Duke Energy’s comprehensive ESG Report (formerly Sustainability Report), the company’s 16th annual disclosure on environment, social and governance (ESG) topics. (Watch a video about the report.)
MARKET NEWS
Towards a stable, sustainable, and more intelligent energy system
In the transition towards a fossil-free energy system, it is important to find a way to balance consumption and production in an economically satisfactory manner and to include a high share of fluctuating renewable energy sources. Close to 70 % of Denmark’s electricity consumption is based on renewable energy, enabled by a smart, flexible energy system that integrates systems across gas, electricity, thermal energy, and transportation. This also implies solving challenges of storage of electricity, as well as using smart, digital solutions and data to ensure reliable and green energy for cities and societies.
Networked Energy Services publishes COVID-19 smart energy transition report
Networked Energy Services Corporation has completed its industry survey related to the impact of COVID-19 on smart metering and smart grid projects and the associated analysis and report, “Smart Metering and the Smart Energy Transition in the New Normal.”
COVID-19 has changed the world in many ways. The health, social and working practice impacts dominate our view of the New Normal, but what does it mean to the smart energy transition, which has been disrupted.
Utilities to Increase Cybersecurity Spending for 1.3 Billion Electricity Meters by 2027 due to the Adoption of Advanced Metering Infrastructure
The move toward Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is becoming the quintessential driver for connected electricity meters, which are expected to reach an installed base of 1.3 billion by 2027. This growth is prompting utilities and energy suppliers to revisit their digital security agendas and device management operations, according to a new report by global technology intelligence firm ABI Research.
Digitization of traditional electricity grids and the modernization of the aging energy infrastructure is among the top concerns for operators and governments worldwide. Security for last-mile energy consumption applications was frequently overlooked. "However, the introduction of AMI, smart metering, and grid digitization is steadily increasing spending for secure management services, assisting implementers to transition to IT (information technologies) and OT (operational technologies) security services and help tackle their primary objectives," explains Dimitrios Pavlakis, Senior IoT Cybersecurity Analyst at ABI Research.
Smart electricity meters: Intellismart has big plans, to raise loan of Rs 10,000 crore
Intellismart, a joint venture between Energy Efficiency Services (EESL) and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), sees an opportunity to install over 20 million smart meters in the country in the next 2 years. The company would need to raise around Rs 10,000 crore in loans to fund the installations.
Anil Rawal, MD & CEO of Intellismart, told FE that state electricity distribution companies have understood the benefits of smart meters not just in terms of controlling power theft, efficient billing and collections, but also for data mining and analysis.
EIB approves EUR 7.3 billion for climate action, renewable energy, clean transport and refugee support
The Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank (EIB) today approved EUR 7.3 billion of new financing to accelerate climate action by companies and utilities, enhance civil protection from a more extreme climate and other disasters and confirmed EUR 4 billion for housing, health and education investment in countries welcoming refugees from the conflict in Ukraine.
“Addressing the humanitarian impact of the war in Ukraine and delivering climate action are key priorities for the European Union and its Bank. The new EIB financing approved today will unlock investment to enable Ukrainian refugees to be welcomed with dignity and reduce the burden on communities demonstrating hospitality. The impact of climate action and business investment backed by the EIB will cut emissions and better protect communities vulnerable to extreme weather. EIB backed investment will also help businesses to innovate to better tackle the effects of a changing climate.” said Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank.
Microgrid demo to lend a helping hand in India’s green energy transition
A group of energy specialists supported by the EU-funded IELECTRIX project has built a smart grid demonstrator in a district in New Delhi, India. The demonstration will show how innovative solutions involving local photovoltaic units and self-consumption can enable the creation of local energy communities.
The Shakti demonstration – named after the Hindu goddess associated with the creative energy of the universe – is led by French distribution system operator and IELECTRIX project coordinator Enedis. For this demo, Enedis is joined by four members of the IELECTRIX consortium: Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited in India, French manufacturer Schneider Electric, French service provider Odit-e, and Danish research and development company GECO Global.
UPCOMING EVENTS
15th German-African Energy Forum, Hamburg, Germany, 1-2 June 2022
Enlit Africa Live Event, Cape Town, South Africa, 7-9 June 2022
IEC 62443 Week 2022, Edinburgh, UK, 13-17 June 2022
InnoGrid 2022, 14 June 2022 (Online) and 29 June 2022 (Hybrid/Brussels)
SPARK, London, UK, 21-22 June 2022
Power & Water Nigeria Exhibition & Conference, Lagos, Nigeria, 21-23 June 2022
Offensive Cybersecurity Strategies (Webinar), 29 June 2022, 16:00-17:00
International SAP Conference for Utilities, Munich, Germany, 5-7 July 2022
International Congres on Advanced Materials Science and Engineering (AMSE-2022), Opatija, Croatia, 21-25 July 2022
2022 Asia-Pacific Power Supply Product and Technology Exhibition, Guangzhou, China, 10-12 August 2022
Solar Energy Future & EXPO 2022, Bangkok, Thailand, 15 September 2022
Enlit Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 20-22 September 2022
IEC 61850 Week, Cardiff, UK, 17-21 October 2022
EcoEnergy Expo 2022, Kyiv, Ukraine, 18-20 October 2022
Solar Energy Future EXPO Malaysia 2022, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2 November 2022
Solar+Storage Congress & EXPO 2022 Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 18 November 2022
Future of Utilities Summit, London, UK, 21-22 November 2022
Apr2022
MEMBER NEWS
Consortium with Griffin Group, NES and Apator selected by Wrocław-based Tauron Dystrybucja as a supplier of meters
The offer of the Griffin Group and Apator consortium was selected by Tauron Dystrybucja as the most advantageous for the supply of static remote reading meters with a PLC communication module in the "OSGP" standard along with installation, storage and cleanup services in the Smart City Wrocław area.
The value of the consortium's offer is PLN 189.8 million (without the option right), including the remuneration for Apator for deliveries of 1-phase and 3-phase meters operating in PLC technology is estimated at 18-20% of the value of the offer.
NES, a next generation AMI solution provider for India’s Smart Grid Market
India is an emerging, and one of the largest markets for AMI & Smart Grid Solutions in the World. NES, a global smart grid company, recently announced it was entering the Indian market with its proven end-to-end AMI solution. To learn more about NES Readiness for India, Sunil Mittal, Director Business Development (India), NES, was interviewed, and his responses and views are summarised below.
Networked Energy Services (NES) is a US based Smart Grid Company with more than 25 years of experience in the AMI field, serving in more than 25 countries & has deployed more than 100 smart grid projects. NES technology has been deployed on more than 40 million metering nodes worldwide.
Digital Evolution of the Grid
In order to accommodate an increase in renewables, power grids will need the ability to integrate new technologies more quickly. Digitalization is a key to integrate renewables in electricity systems, to improve reliability and leverage data to get sustainable energy where it needs to be. Learn more at our partner event, the EM-Power Europe Conference, and hear from key utility industry and energy service stakeholders including Enel X, Next Kraftwerke, RTE, Fluence, ENGIE, Eneco, TenneT, Elvia, Netze BW, Bamboo Energy, Energy Pool, Catapult Energy Systems, ENEDIS, E.ON, Statnett, Agder Energi, E-Redes and many more. EM-Power Europe, part of the smarter E Europe is taking place in ICM München (Conference 10-11May, Exhibition 11-13 May)
Vattenfall starts wireless EV charging trials in Sweden
Vattenfall's three-year induction charging point project with partners involves charging pads embedded in Gothenburg streets
Just as mobile phones made the transition from plug in to wireless charging, electric vehicles look set to take the same technological journey.
Major milestones drive Duke Energy Florida's commitment to a cleaner, smarter energy future just in time for Earth Day
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Florida is celebrating Earth Day by sharing key milestones as part of its clean energy transformation and commitment to the environment, customer affordability and reliability.
"As the energy needs of customers and communities in our state change, we must be ready to meet those needs," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "We believe generating electricity from renewable resources and expanding innovative technologies will play an important role in delivering energy that's reliable, affordable and increasingly clean."
Energy efficiency in the healthcare sector: Clinic Diakonissen Linz
Thanks to an innovative solar power and LED lighting project, the Klinik Diakonissen Linz can now save more than 200,000 kWh of energy annually. In addition, patients, staff and visitors will also benefit from the measures.
The pandemic and the humanitarian and economic effects of the Ukraine war are currently demanding a lot of energy in all areas of life. Nevertheless, climate protection remains the top priority. In order to achieve goals such as those set by the city of Linz to achieve climate neutrality by 2040, long-term and national energy and climate strategies are needed. But individual activities can also show ways to protect the climate.
MARKET NEWS
Future of meter data management
Metering has evolved from being just a component of the revenue cycle for meter-to-cash use case, to being an enterprise function that supports multiple core business processes providing operational benefits.
For utilities undergoing digital transformation having the right solution to drive mission-critical operations and new customer-focused solutions is crucial. The chosen solution should be more than a typical MDM platform, serving as the digital backbone for energy companies.
Smart Metering as Cornerstone for Grid Integration of Renewable Energies
At EM-Power Europe, part of the smarter E Europe, you will learn how to make use of digital tools to maximise the use of smart meters and grid infrastructure for enhanced services. Get insights in smart metering and smart charging, smart PV metering and technical requirements including those for privacy and security. Hear about the latest developments in interoperability to future-proof your investments in the smart energy platform and reduce vendor lock-in.
A cyber-attack on Spain's electricity giant Iberdrola has accessed data of 1.3 million clients
On 15 March Iberdrola suffered a cyber-attack in which hackers obtained the personal information of 1.3 million clients, the company has confirmed. The information included ID numbers, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, but the police say those responsible did not access “sensitive” information such as bank account details, credit card numbers or information about the clients’ use of energy.
Iberdrola says the incident was resolved on the same day and on the following day its IT experts identified further massive attacks which failed.
Smart Meters Market to hit US$ 55.7 billion by 2028, Says Global Market Insights Inc.
The smart meters market is expected to surpass USD 55.7 billion by 2028, as reported in a research study by Global Market Insights Inc. Favorable government norms pertaining to effective energy management along with continuous technological advancements toward the adoption of intelligent metering units will foster the industry scenario. Moreover, the increasing replacement of conventional meters with intelligent meters along with ongoing infrastructural developments will augment the industry outlook.
Optimized consumption mechanism along with the implementation of government standards & measures toward energy efficiency will fuel the adoption of smart meters across commercial establishments. The introduction of government norms and directives along with rollout plans toward the deployment of intelligent meters will sway the industry growth. Rising investments from public and private sectors in the development of advanced energy management systems in line with sustainable & accurate leak detection will further stimulate the industry landscape.
From 2023, the replacement of energy meters with smart ones will start all over Poland
From 2023, the replacement of energy meters with smart ones will start. The cost of the project is PLN 9 billion. It will be spread over 8 years so as not to burden the budgets of electricity recipients - said Piotr Dziadzio, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, during the conference "Intelligent in energy" on Thursday.
During Thursday's 1st National Conference "Intelligent in energy", Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Piotr Dziadzio, announced the launch of the Smart Energy Networks project.
Kuwait's ministry continues installation of smart meters in new private housing areas
KUWAIT CITY - The Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said until now it has installed of 102,000 smart meters, and added work is underway to install these meters in private housing, starting from next Sunday, in new areas, reports Al-Jarida daily.
In a statement to the daily, the ministry sources pointed out the Smart meters will provide greater flexibility for the ministry, especially for customer billing departments, in addition to first and foremost collecting the ministry’s dues, and preventing the accumulation as happened in the past when the old meters were in use. Moreover, the Smart meters facilitate the payment of power consumption in various ways whether through the ministry’s website or through consumer affairs centers and through other methods.
PRESS RELEASE
Think Tanks: Start-Ups are Driving the Digitalization of Energy Systems
Munich/Pforzheim, April 26, 2022 – Our future supply of electricity and heat from renewable sources relies on the different sectors of the energy system being intelligently intertwined – from energy generation and storage to distribution and use. And start-ups across the energy sectors are part of the push to unlock the key to that level of collaboration – digitalization. The international EM-Power Europe exhibition promises plenty of exciting insights into new technologies and concepts. Between May 11 and 13, 2022, experienced stakeholders will stand beside start-ups and young companies focusing on the new energy world in Munich to showcase their innovative ideas and technologies for smart energy management and integrated energy solutions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
EM-Power Europe Conference & Exhibition 2022, Munich, Germany, 10-13 May 2022
9th Power and Energy Kenya 2022, Nairobi, Kenya, 19-21 May 2022
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DISTRIBUTECH INTERNATIONAL, Dalas, Texas, 23-25 May 2022
15th German-African Energy Forum, Hamburg, Germany, 1-2 June 2022
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Enlit Africa Live Event, Cape Town, South Africa, 7-9 June 2022
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IEC 62443 Week 2022, Edinburgh, UK, 13-17 June 2022
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SPARK, London, UK, 21-22 June 2022
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Power & Water Nigeria Exhibition & Conference, Lagos, Nigeria, 21-23 June 2022
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Offensive Cybersecurity Strategies (Webinar), 19 June 2022, 16:00-17:00
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International Congres on Advanced Materials Science and Engineering (AMSE-2022), Opatija, Croatia, 21-25 July 2022
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2022 Asia-Pacific Power Supply Product and Technology Exhibition, Guangzhou, China, 10-12 August 2022
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Solar Energy Future & EXPO 2022, Bangkok, Thailand, 15 September 2022
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Enlit Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 20-22 September 2022
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Renewable Energy & Smart Grid Conference, Miami, 25-29 September 2022
EcoEnergy Expo 2022, Kyiv, Ukraine, 18-20 October 2022
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Solar Energy Future EXPO Malaysia 2022, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2 November 2022
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Solar+Storage Congress & EXPO 2022 Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 18 November 2022
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Mar2022
MEMBER NEWS
Networked Energy Services receives METAS data security certification
NES, along with its partner VIVAVIS Schweiz AG in Switzerland, has successfully certified its OSGP PLC Solution for the Swiss Market.
Networked Energy Services Corporation (NES), a global smart grid solution provider with the industry’s leading Energy Applications Platform (EAPTM), is proud to announce that together with our partner, VIVAVIS Schweiz AG, we have completed the process in Switzerland of achieving the METAS Data Security Certification for the NES AMI Platform based on OSGP (Open Smart Grid Protocol).
OSGP Alliance Proud Partner of EM-Power Europe 2022
For the second year the OSGP Alliance is Partner of the EM-Power Europe Exhibition and Conference taking place as part of The smarter E Europe (Munich, 11-13 May 2022), the largest platform for the Energy Industry in Europe, bringing together four exhibitions Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe and EM-Power Europe with 1450 exhibitors and 50.000 visitors.
The EM-Power Europe conference (May 10-11) focuses on renewable grid integration covering topics such as Solar PV and Electric Vehicle Grid integration, Residential and Utility scale solar+storage, Digital Evolution of the Grid, Active consumers for system efficiency and flexibility markets.
There will a dedicated Forum Sessions on Smart Metering as Cornerstone for Grid Integration of Renewables. OSGP Alliance Members are entitled to receive 20% discount upon registration.
Tauron has launched the first microgrid installation in Poland
Tauron in Bytom has launched a pioneering investment on a Polish scale. It is a microgrid, i.e., a small power network that allows to guarantee, even in extreme situations, electricity supplies to the needs of consumers.
The system, launched in Bytom, has wind capacity, photovoltaic panels and an energy storage and gas aggregate stabilizing the system. It is the first functioning microgrid system in Poland. The microgrid is a physically separated area of electricity supply that includes local energy sources (mainly those generating electricity from renewable resources) and the energy consumers gathered around them.
Vattenfall named Sweden's most sustainable energy company
Vattenfall is ranked highest of all Swedish energy companies in the Sustainable Brand index's annual study of Sweden's most sustainable companies.
The Sustainable Brand Index is Europe's largest independent brand study in sustainability and is conducted once a year in the Nordic countries, the Netherlands and the Baltic countries.
Alliander and Radboud University strengthen cooperation
Alliander will collaborate closely with Radboud University for the next two years. To this end, we signed a declaration of intent on 1 March with the ambition to better connect research, education and the professional field and thus optimally support the energy transition.
In the collaboration we exchange experts and research facilities and jointly initiate master, PhD and postdoc projects. We are also working on digital technologies that can support network management. In doing so, we take into account the changing energy production. “By working together, we want to make an extra contribution to the energy transition with our education and research,” said Daniel Wigboldus, chairman of the Executive Board of Radboud University.
New e-fast charging station in Bad Leonfelden
BAD LEONFELDEN. Linz AG put another e-fast charging station into operation directly at the Kastner Lebzelterei in Bad Leonfelden.
Linz AG put around 200 new e-charging points into operation last year and is continuing to expand the e-charging infrastructure. A modern fast charging station has now been put into operation in Bad Leonfelden. Your location is at Lebzelterstraße 243 in the immediate vicinity of the Kastner Lebzelterei and the Lebkuchen World of Experience. The charging station offers two charging points with up to 100 kW of power for very fast charging.
MARKET NEWS
Smart grids for seamless integration of consumers
Interview with Michael Villa from smartEn about smart grids in Europe
We will not be able to transform the energy system without smart grids. Michael Villa gives an overview on their development in Europe. He is Executive Director of smartEn, a European business association which strives for the integration of consumer-driven solutions in the clean energy transition.
smartEN is a partner of EM-Power Europe which will be held from May 11–13, 2022, in Munich. The EM-Power Europe Conference on May 10 and 11 will host six different sessions on a variety of topics. They will provide a deep dive into the grids of the future, the challenges and potential solutions.
TenneT plans to increase grid investment to $6.6bn a year
Dutch transmission system operator TenneT has announced that it will increase its annual investment in grid infrastructure to at least €6bn ($6.6bn) by 2025.
Last year, the company invested €4bn in the expansion and maintenance of its grids to address its energy transition challenges.
EU funding for Africa worth €150bn to boost post-pandemic growth
Funding, in the form of European Union (EU) combined member funds, member state investments and capital from investment banks, is earmarked for Africa.
The European Commission recently announced investment funding for Africa worth €150 billion (approximately $165bn) as part of the EU Global Gateway Investment Scheme.
How IoT is enabling transformation in the electricity sector
Over the coming decade the electricity sector must face increasing demand, increasing regulation, and fundamental changes in the way that electricity grids work on a day-to-day basis. New fluctuating energy sources must be integrated into existing grids, and many of today’s customers may take on a second role as suppliers, writes Jim Morrish, a founding partner at Transforma Insights.
The deployment of new technology is critical to enabling the changes that must happen, and a wide variety of technology-based solutions are being deployed in the electricity industry right now. These range from smartmetering applications through to remote asset monitoring and control solutions and solutions to better enable a remote workforce. According to research undertaken by Inmarsat, investment in IoT solutions overall is expected to be significant for electricity utilities, and with cost reduction and increased efficiency come related benefits in sustainability.
Smart electricity meters market to surge to $15.2 billion by 2026
A new market study by Global Industry Analysts Inc. (GIA) shows that the global market for smart electricity meters is expected to reach $15.2 billion by 2026.
The prediction comes courtesy of market research publisher GIA’s latest report, Smart Electricity Meters – Global Market Trajectory & Analytics.
Dewa completes short-term goals of Smart Grid Strategy
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has completed the short-term goals of its Smart Grid Strategy 2014-2035, having replaced all electricity and water meters with smart meters between 2015 and 20.
This amounts to a deployment of over two million smart meters, said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa, adding that by automating meter readings, Dewa empowers its customers with information on their usage patterns; allowing them to effectively manage their electricity and water usage.
UPCOMING EVENTS
3rd Solar + Wind Congress & EXPO Vietnam 2022, 31 March 2022, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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SMARTGREENS 2022, Online event, 27-29 April 2022
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EM-Power Europe Conference & Exhibition 2022, Munich, Germany, 10-13 May 2022
9th Power and Energy Kenya 2022, Nairobi, Kenya, 19-21 May 2022
Read more...
15th German-African Energy Forum, Hamburg, Germany, 1-2 June 2022
Read more...
Enlit Africa Live Event, Cape Town, South Africa, 7-9 June 2022
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IEC 62443 Week 2022, Edinburgh, UK, 13-17 June 2022
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SPARK, London, UK, 21-22 June 2022
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Power & Water Nigeria Exhibition & Conference, Lagos, Nigeria, 21-23 June 2022
Read more...
Offensive Cybersecurity Strategies (Webinar), 19 June 2022, 16:00-17:00
Read more...
International Congres on Advanced Materials Science and Engineering (AMSE-2022), Opatija, Croatia, 21-25 July 2022
Read more...
2022 Asia-Pacific Power Supply Product and Technology Exhibition, Guangzhou, China, 10-12 August 2022
Read more...
Solar Energy Future & EXPO 2022, Bangkok, Thailand, 15 September 2022
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Enlit Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 20-22 September 2022
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EcoEnergy Expo 2022, Kyiv, Ukraine, 18-20 October 2022
Solar Energy Future EXPO Malaysia 2022, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2 November 2022
Solar+Storage Congress & EXPO 2022 Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 18 November 2022
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Feb2022
MEMBER NEWS
Which next-gen cellular and why
Smart meters have the potential to improve sustainability of our energy distribution grids by reducing losses in energy distribution and reducing new network build-out. Whilst this stands on its own “green” credentials, this also benefits the energy distribution companies by reducing op-ex and cap-ex costs.
Smart meters do this by exposing information about end-point energy consumption and generation and the “quality” of energy that is received from the distributor. When this information is exposed to the latest grid optimisation tools, it shows distributors how to reconfigure their grids to reduce losses to heat and vibration and better use available capacity.
Overlay on the counter. It will help reduce electricity bills
Students of the Warsaw University of Technology have developed a special cover for electricity meters. Its aim is to reduce the amount of electricity bills. The solution is simple but very effective.
Rising electricity prices affect us all. For this reason, students of the Warsaw University of Technology from the Science Club of Power Engineers operating at the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering have developed an intelligent module that can be installed on an electricity meter. It will allow you to control your electricity bills.
Despite high hurdles: E.ON reaches digitalisation milestone and installs 100,000th smart meter in Germany
E.ON continues to drive the digitalisation of the energy industry and was the first company to install 100,000 intelligent metering systems (so-called smart meters) in Germany. The anniversary device was installed on February 10th in the network area of E.ON subsidiary Bayernwerk in a primary school in the municipality of Thalmassing.
Compared to other countries, however, Germany has some catching up to do in the rollout of smart meters: in Sweden, E.ON has already installed one million smart meters in a first rollout wave between 2004 and 2009. The second wave is currently on its way, in which around 200,000 meters have already been installed. By the end of 2024, another 1,200 to 1,500 devices will be added daily.
Algorithm will help Vattenfall InCharge to place out charging points
Vattenfall InCharge, together with partners, will install a minimum of 4,000 charging points during three years in 67 municipalities in the Dutch provinces Gelderland and Overijssel. Placement is largely proactive, before the need arises, and based on an algorithm.
The InCharge network was introduced in 2016 by Vattenfall. It has today more than 30 000 connected charging points in northern Europe and provides drivers of electric cars with access to many more charge points through roaming agreements. With this new agreement, with the provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel, the installation work is planned more efficiently and the possibility to drive electric carelessly will increase significantly in the Netherlands.
AEF advised Gelderland and Flevoland on Alliander investment
Alliander has raised €600 million from its shareholders. With the money, the network company will strengthen its capital position, so that it can invest in the much-needed upgrade of the electricity grid in the coming years.
The demand for electricity has been increasing rapidly in recent years. This is partly due to the energy transition – think, for example, of people who no longer run on petrol, but plug their car into the plug every evening. But economic growth and many residential buildings also contribute to higher electricity consumption.
MARKET NEWS
Smart power meters for better billing
NEW DELHI: Power and renewable energy minister RK Singh on Thursday batted for pre-paid smart metering installation in the country as it will ensure improvement in billing collection. The minister while addressing the CII Conference on Smart Metering also said that politicisation of the electricity is going to be disastrous for the power sector.
“The pre-paid smart meters will give great advantage to the poor people. At the current structure if you don’t pay the bill, your electricity will get disconnected. To restore it, you have to apply for a fresh connection, which includes paper work and installation charges. Therefore, many from the rural belt avoid getting fresh connections and stay without electricity. If they have pre-paid meters, they can recharge it whenever they have money,” said Singh.
Dubai records world’s lowest electricity Customer Minutes Lost of 1.43 minutes per year
Dubai: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has achieved a new world record in electricity Customer Minutes Lost (CML) per year. Dubai recorded 1.43 minutes per customer in 2021, compared to around 15 minutes recorded by leading utility companies in the European Union (EU).
The achievement results from Dewa adopting the latest global technologies in energy generation, transmission and distribution.
Factors driving the global smart meters market
A new report published by Research and Markets states that the global smart meters market will expand by 9% between 2021 and 2026 and highlights factors driving the market.
The report states that revenue generation will increase from $19.6 billion to $30.2 billion owing to factors including: Government mandates and incentives for smart meter installations: Governments across the globe are increasing funding for grid modernisation and developing and enacting policies that support smart technologies including smart metering, according to the study.
Zeeland BPW customers to get smart meters this month
The Zeeland Board of Public Works begins swapping out customers' electric meters for advanced, or "smart" electric meters this month.
Installation of the approximately 6,000 electric meters will be carried out over the next several months by technicians from Allegiant Utility Services, hired by ZBPW to do the work.
MSEDCL to install 10 lakh smart meters across state
Mumbai: The MSEDCL has floated tenders for installation of 10 lakh smart meters for electricity consumers across Maharashtra and has also sent a proposal to the government for setting up of 1.66 crore smart meters in 3-4 years, announced MSEDCL managing director Vijay Singhal on Friday.
“The installation of 10 lakh new smart meters will be finalised in a fortnight and this will be a game changer in 2022,” Singhal told TOI, adding that the smart meters will ensure accurate readings, reduce cases of inflated billings, bring in savings for consumers who can keep a check on consumption every hour and also reduce annual power distribution losses. The power distribution losses of MSEDCL, with a consumer base of 2.8 crore, is the highest in the state at over 10%.
PRESS RELEASE
Networked Energy Services Receives METAS Data Security Certification
NES, along with its partner VIVAVIS Schweiz AG in the Switzerland, has successfully certified its OSGP PLC Solution for the Swiss Market
San Jose, CA, February 14, 2022: Networked Energy Services Corporation (NES), a global smart grid solution provider with the industry’s leading Energy Applications Platform (EAPTM), is proud to announce that together with our partner, VIVAVIS Schweiz AG, we have completed the process in Switzerland of achieving the METAS Data Security Certification for the NES AMI Platform based on OSGP (Open Smart Grid Protocol).
METAS-Cert is the body designated by Switzerland and recognized by the EU for the conformity assessment of measuring instruments. Acting on behalf of the manufacturers of measuring instruments, METAS-Cert carries out the conformity assessments required for placing products on the market. However, for the Data Security Certification, the manufacturers use outside testing laboratories, certified according to Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408), to conduct a security review and penetration testing following a standardized test methodology of the products.
UPCOMING EVENTS
POWER TRANSMISSION IN AFRICA, Virtual Conference, 23-24 February 2022
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Africa Energy Indaba, Virtual Conference & Physical Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa, 01-03 March 2022
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India Smart Utility Week 2022, Digital Platform, 02-04 March 2022
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Future of Utilities – Smart Energy, London, UK, 8-9 March 2022
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Oman Sustainability Week, Sultanate of Oman, 13-17 March 2022
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ISRTC International Sustainability Resources & Technology Conference, Muscat, Oman, 14-16 March 2022
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Middle East Energy 2022, Dubai, UAE, 15-17 March 2022
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26th ICCI 2022 International Energy – Environment Fair & Conference, Istanbul, Turkey, 16-18 March 2022
IEC CIM Week 2022, London, UK, 21-25 March 2022
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3rd Solar + Wind Congress & EXPO Vietnam 2022, 31 March 2022, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Read more...
SMARTGREENS 2022, Online event, 27-29 April 2022
Read more...
EM-Power Europe Conference & Exhibition 2022, Munich, Germany, 10-13 May 2022
9th Power and Energy Kenya 2022, Nairobi, Kenya, 19-21 May 2022
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15th German-African Energy Forum, Hamburg, Germany, 1-2 June 2022
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Enlit Africa Live Event, Cape Town, South Africa, 7-9 June 2022
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IEC 62443 Week 2022, Edinburgh, UK, 13-17 June 2022
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SPARK, London, UK, 21-22 June 2022
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Power & Water Nigeria Exhibition & Conference, Lagos, Nigeria, 21-23 June 2022
Read more...
Offensive Cybersecurity Strategies (Webinar), 19 June 2022, 16:00-17:00
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International Congres on Advanced Materials Science and Engineering (AMSE-2022), Opatija, Croatia, 21-25 July 2022
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2022 Asia-Pacific Power Supply Product and Technology Exhibition, Guangzhou, China, 10-12 August 2022
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Solar Energy Future & EXPO 2022, Bangkok, Thailand, 15 September 2022
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Enlit Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 20-22 September 2022
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EcoEnergy Expo 2022, Kyiv, Ukraine, 18-20 October 2022
Solar Energy Future EXPO Malaysia 2022, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2 November 2022
Solar+Storage Congress & EXPO 2022 Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 18 November 2022
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Jan2022
MEMBER NEWS
Griffin Group Energy has delivered further smart meters in OSGP technology for the leader of certified energy clusters
The AMI intelligent metering system in OSGP technology is also implemented in the neighboring distribution area ZEW Niedzica -TAURON Dystrybucja in Wrocław in the amount of over 400,000 smart meters, in which meters from three manufacturers in the OSGP standard have been used, while maintaining the highest standards of PLC communication safety. Griffin Group Energy has delivered OSGP meters to Tauron Dystrybucja from several manufacturers over the past few years m.in the Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric, the American NES and the Polish Apator. This is the first solution of this type in Europe.
On the basis of this technology, 40 million such meters have already been implemented in Europe by more than 60 renowned power plants. The key advantages of OSGP are the security and effectiveness of communication, which are of key importance in this type of implementation of the country's critical infrastructure.
Which Next Gen Cellular and Why
Smart meters have the potential to improve sustainability of our energy distribution grids by reducing losses in energy distribution and reducing new network build out. Whilst this stands on its own “green” credentials, this also benefits the energy distribution companies by reducing op-ex and cap-ex costs.
Smart meters do this by exposing information about end-point energy consumption and generation and the “quality” of energy which is received from the distributor. When this information is exposed to the latest grid optimization tools, it shows distributors how to reconfigure their grids to reduce losses to heat and vibration and better use available capacity.
Prointer ITSS Silver Member OSGP Alliance
Prointer ITSS ends the business year as a Silver Member of the OSGP Alliance
OSGP Alliance members share a common goal and vision, which is to promote open standards for energy demand management, smart grid and smart metering systems.
The energy industry is facing more and more challenges. Most of the issues revolve around the "energy trilemma", which seeks to ensure that energy is safe, sustainable and affordable. The critical issue concerns the provision of a smart grid, an energy infrastructure that includes thousands of devices and systems connected to the grid that consume energy.
Tauron will replace 750,000 meters per year with devices with remote reading
Over the next eight years, Tauron Dystrybucja will replace approx. 750,000 meters per year with devices with remote reading. By 2031, all customers of the Group will have such meters – Tauron announced today. The company supplies electricity to approx. 5.7 million customers in southern Poland.
Currently, about 840,000 Tauron customers have meters with remote reading. EU regulations provide that by 2028 distribution companies will equip 80% of their individual customers with such devices – in Tauron this means about 5.1 million customers. Two years later, at the end of 2030, the number of such meters is to increase in the Group to approx. 6 million. Customers using the so-called smart meters gain the ability to automatically control energy consumption, and thus – more conscious use of it.
Morocco: ONEE partners with Atos and Siemens to improve electricity metering
Atos, a French group specializing in the digital transformation of companies, and subsidiaries of the German conglomerate Siemens will help the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water of Morocco(ONEE)to set up a smart electricity metering platform in the kingdom.
The collaboration, announced by Atos on December 1, aims specifically to enable ONEE to "take control of the data collected by more than 100,000 smart meters that will be installed across the country and thus optimize energy consumption and the management of the national network".
E.ON issues EUR 800m green bond
January 12 (Renewables Now) - German energy company E.on SE (ETR:EOAN) has issued a green bond worth EUR 800 million (USD 906.8m) to secure financing for sustainable projects that support the energy transition.
The bond is due in October 2034 and bears a coupon of 0.875%, E.on said on Tuesday.
MARKET NEWS
Kenya Power launches smart meters to improve services
Kenya Power has launched smart electricity meters in Meru as it seeks to achieve efficiency in service delivery.
Mount Kenya Regional Manager Phineas Marete said the smart meters will record consumption of electricity, voltage levels and other data.
Romanian distributor secures €90m loan for green grid expansion
Distribuie Energie Electrică Romania S.A. (DEER), an electricity distributor based in Romania, has secured a €90 million ($102 million) loan for grid modernisation, expansion, decarbonisation and digitalisation.
The 15 year loan will fund the installation of smart meters for accurate billing and improved visibility of consumer usage behaviour, renewable energy for grid reliability and decarbonisation and distribution lines and related infrastructure.
Iraqi Power Station Developer to provide Smart Meters
The Iraqi cabinet has required the developer of the Al-Khairat [Al-Khayrat] power station to also supply smart meters for use by domestic and industrial customers.
According to a statement from the Cabinet, the investing company, which it says is Harlow International , will prepare between 100,000 and 150,000 smart meters, in addition to the training of technical and engineering personnel.
TAQA, Etisalat Digital to enhance digital capabilities and customer experience
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and Etisalat Digital announced that they will partner on an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project to enhance utility metering in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Over the next two years, TAQA’s power and water distribution companies - Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) and Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC) - will work alongside Etisalat Digital to deploy the communication network and an advanced Internet of Things platform for AMI, helping unlock the capability of existing and new smart metres installed in customer homes and businesses.
New electricity meters are coming
Edyna, the largest electricity distributor in South Tyrol, will replace the electricity meters of its 238,000 customers with smart meters, a new generation of smart meters, by 2024. The project to replace the electricity meters has been running since 2020, and to date 50,000 new smart meters have already been activated in 25 South Tyrolean municipalities.
From 3 January 2022, the exchange will start in the municipality of Bolzano in the Gries-Quirein district, followed by the districts of Zentrum-Bozner Boden-Rentsch in June and Don Bosco at the end of the year. In the course of the year, the municipalities of Schenna, Klausen, Deutschnofen, Ritten, Sarntal and Karneid will follow. At the end of 2023, the Bolzano district Europa-Neustift will follow and in 2024 Oberau-Haslach. "Smart meters are an important innovation that makes our power grid even smarter and more digital. This allows us to control energy distribution more efficiently and increasingly improve the quality of service for users," explains Luis Amort, General Director of Edyna.
Virginia okays Dominion's plan to deploy 1.1M smart meters
Dominion Energy Virginia's 10-year Grid Transformation Plan, designed in response to Virginia's 2018 Grid Transformation & Security Act, envisions a broad restructuring of the electricity grid in order to integrate more solar, wind and battery storage technology. The company had argued that as more distributed energy resources come online in response to state and federal policy, it will be necessary to create a more nimble distribution system with responsive rates in order to ensure reliability and cut down on costs.
The second phase of the plan approved by the SCC covers $666.5 million in capital spending for 2022 and 2023, which the company can seek recovery of in a future proceeding. The plan will allow Dominion to spend $194.4 million in grid technologies, including intelligent grid devices and fault location, isolation and service restoration projects targeted at grid segments with below-average reliability. It also includes $27.7 million on grid infrastructure spending for corridor improvements and voltage island mitigation.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Distribution Systems Automation, Virtual Conference, 27-28 January 2022
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6th Power and Energy Tanzania 2022, Dar-es-Salaam, 10-12 February 2022
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POWER TRANSMISSION IN AFRICA, Virtual Conference, 23-24 February 2022
Read more...
Africa Energy Indaba, Virtual Conference & Physical Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa
Read more...
Future of Utilities – Smart Energy, London, UK, 8-9 March 2022
Read more...
ISRTC International Sustainability Resources & Technology Conference, Muscat, Oman, 14-16 March 2022
Read more...
26th ICCI 2022 International Energy – Environment Fair & Conference, Istanbul, Turkey, 16-18 March 2022
IEC CIM Week 2022, London, UK, 21-25 March 2022
Read more...
3rd Solar + Wind Congress & EXPO Vietnam 2022, 31 March 2022, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Read more...
EM-Power Europe Conference & Exhibition, Munich, Germany, 10-13 May 2022
Read more...
9th Power and Energy Kenya 2022, Nairobi, Kenya, 19-21 May 2022
Read more...
15th German-African Energy Forum, Hamburg, Germany, 1-2 June 2022
Read more...
Enlit Africa Live Event, Cape Town, South Africa, 7-9 June 2022
Read more...
IEC 62443 Week 2022, Edinburgh, UK, 13-17 June 2022
Read more...
SPARK, London, UK, 21-22 June 2022
Read more...
Power & Water Nigeria Exhibition & Conference, Lagos, Nigeria, 21-23 June 2022
Read more...
Offensive Cybersecurity Strategies (Webinar), 19 June 2022, 16:00-17:00
Read more...
International Congres on Advanced Materials Science and Engineering (AMSE-2022), Opatija, Croatia, 21-25 July 2022
Read more...
2022 Asia-Pacific Power Supply Product and Technology Exhibition, Guangzhou, China, 10-12 August 2022
Read more...
Solar Energy Future & EXPO 2022, Bangkok, Thailand, 15 September 2022
Read more...
Enlit Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 20-22 September 2022
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EcoEnergy Expo 2022, Kyiv, Ukraine, 18-20 October 2022
Solar Energy Future EXPO Malaysia 2022, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2 November 2022
Solar+Storage Congress & EXPO 2022 Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 18 November 2022
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Dec2021
MEMBER NEWS
Ukraine’s DSO centralises smart grid management with GE Digital
In Ukraine, energy distribution system operator (DSO) DTEK Kyiv Grids has partnered with GE Digital to centralise its data management and sharing, work controls and network management.
DTEK Kyiv will deploy GE Digital’s advanced distribution management system to centralise dispatching centers and to develop a unified grid management system.
E.ON acquires majority stake in envelio GmbH
E.ON has acquired a majority stake in envelio GmbH, a clean-tech software company based in Cologne, Germany. envelio is a specialist in digital grid management and has developed the “Intelligent Grid Platform” – a solution that enables power grid operators to set up a “digital-twin” of networks and optimize grid planning and operational processes and decisions based on real time data. envelio has already been working with E.ON’s distribution system operators (DSOs) Westnetz and E.DIS for the past three years and is already serving more than 35 customers across Europe.
Victoria Ossadnik, Board Member for Digital, comments: “The energy transition will only succeed through the smartification of power grids. Through envelio and its dedicated team, we are securing a key technology that will enable utilities to manage their grids more efficiently.”
NES partners with Power Africa on smart metering and renewables
Networked Energy Services Corporation (NES), a global smart grid solution provider, has been selected as an official partner of Power Africa, a US-based government-led partnership, coordinated by USAID.
NES will help Power Africa to further expand into Africa, with projects in the DRC, Ghana, South Africa, and elsewhere.
Smart grid, sprints by Acea and Enel in Genova, Italy
Energy companies push smart grids. Acea, through its subsidiary Areti, has launched the "Smart Grid" project as part of the broader development plan for the Italian electricity grid, which will allow for a more innovative and efficient infrastructure.
The implementation phase of the project was entrusted, through tender, to two important technological partners, Sirti, an innovation hub in the field of network infrastructure development and system development and integration, and Nokia, a global company for communication solutions and technologies.
Duke Energy Indiana files plan to improve reliability and resilience of its statewide electric grid with innovative technology
PLAINFIELD, Ind. – Duke Energy Indiana filed a plan Tuesday with Indiana state utility regulators to improve the reliability and resilience of its statewide network of power lines and infrastructure that deliver electricity to more than 860,000 Hoosier homes, businesses and industries.
The six-year plan uses a combination of advanced technology and infrastructure upgrades to improve service to customers.
E.ON to invest Eur27 billion by 2026 into Europe's energy transition
Europe's biggest energy network operator E.ON plans to invest some Eur27 billion ($30.4 billion) in the energy transition over the five years to 2026, the Germany-based utility said Nov.23.
Some Eur22 billion are planned for the expansion of its gas and power distribution networks with E.ON also planning to add 5,000 new electric vehicle charging points across Europe boosting its customer solutions business, it said.
MARKET NEWS
Northern Powergrid unveil voltage control project to increase network efficiency
Northern Powergrid is looking to lower customers energy bills and reduce carbon emissions by using smart meter data to optimise the network voltage.
The Boston Spa Energy Efficiency Trial (BEET) will kick off in August 2022 in Boston Spa, Wetherby and the surrounding area.
Modern protocol for the smart grid
Smart metering sets the stage for a smart grid “system” offering increased functionality via built-in two-way communications and smart grid applications, many of which provide improved and expanded customer service.
However, DSOs should think beyond the meter and toward an overall system solution that delivers dramatic improvements in utility operations, reliability, and customer-service capabilities by offering detailed usage information, demand metering, detailed power-quality data, energy loss information, timely outage information and flexible billing options. Consumers, DSOs, and retailers all benefit from smart grid development.
Dutch installer Zonneplan launches maiden smart grid system that tracks prices in real time
Dutch solar installer Zonneplan has launched its first ‘smart grid’ system called that will offer customers energy based on real-time prices.
Launched this week (15 November), Slimme energie (Smart Energy) is a virtual power plant (VPP) and peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading system that aims to completely digitise the generation, purchase, sale and storage of electricity.
How to Manage Cyber Risk as Grid Modernization Efforts Intensify
Few sectors face as much disruptive change in the years ahead as power and utilities (P&U), with the mantra of decarbonization, decentralization, and digitization continuing to grow more intense. Amid this rapid evolution, P&U companies have new opportunities to thrive—and so do cyber criminals eager to exploit new vulnerabilities, which in turn has triggered greater scrutiny from the Biden administration.
Within the P&U sector, 53% of chief information security officers have never been as concerned as they are now about their ability to manage the threat, according to the EY Global Information Security Survey 2021. About 80% have seen an increase in disruptive attacks in the past 12 months (Figure 1)—the highest rate among all sectors—and 43% believe it is only a matter of time before their organization suffers a major breach that could have been avoided if they had received additional investment. With 37% reporting that attackers are primarily targeting their industrial control systems—substantially more than any other attack vector—it’s no wonder that the White House asked P&U leaders to be part of a cyber summit on securing the nation’s critical infrastructure, and that the Transportation Security Administration has been working on enforceable new guidelines for pipelines, for example.
SaskPower Announces Mass Smart Meter Deployment
SaskPower is set to begin installing smart meters on residences across Saskatchewan. This follows a successful pilot that saw 17,000 volunteers receive residential smart meters this year.
"Smart meters are an important part of our efforts to build a modern power grid in Saskatchewan," Minister Responsible for SaskPower Don Morgan said. "These meters will allow SaskPower to respond to outages faster, ensure accurate billing, and provide customers with detailed information about power use to help them save on their bills."
UPCOMING EVENTS
Distribution Systems Automation, Virtual Conference, 27-28 January 2022
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6th Power and Energy Tanzania 2022, Dar-es-Salaam, 10-12 February 2022
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Africa Energy Indaba, Virtual Conference & Physical Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa
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Future of Utilities – Smart Energy, London, UK, 8-9 March 2022
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ISRTC International Sustainability Resources & Technology Conference, Muscat, Oman, 14-16 March 2022
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EM-Power Europe 2022, Munich, Germany, 9-9 May 2022
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9th Power and Energy Kenya 2022, Nairobi, Kenya, 19-21 May 2022
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Enlit Africa Live Event, Cape Town, South Africa, 7-9 June 2022
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Power & Water Nigeria Exhibition & Conference, Lagos, Nigeria, 21-23 June 2022
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International Congres on Advanced Materials Science and Engineering (AMSE-2022), Opatija, Croatia, 21-25 July 2022
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Enlit Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 20-22 September 2022
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Nov2021
MEMBER NEWS
Power Africa selects Networked Energy Services as an Official Partner
San Jose, CA, October 25, 2021: Networked Energy Services Corporation (NES), a global smart grid solution provider with the industry’s leading Energy Applications Platform (EAPTM), is excited to announce its selection as an official partner of Power Africa, which is a U.S. Government-led partnership, coordinated by USAID.
Power Africa chose to collaborate with NES because of its plans to further expand into Africa, with projects in the DRC, Ghana, South Africa, and elsewhere. NES looks forward to supporting Power Africa by developing and implementing smart grid and smart metering projects in the region, which will reduce losses, improve revenue, and assist with generating project funding for adding MWs and new connections.
EM-Power Europe 2022 presents smart solutions for the energy transition
A great atmosphere, well-visited booths and enthusiastic exhibitors – EM-Power Europe Restart 2021 in Munich in October was a complete success. Responses from exhibitors, visitors, organizers und partners were positive across the board: “We are so happy to finally meet again in person!”
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the next EM-Power Europe, the international exhibition for energy management and integrated energy solutions, from May 11-13, 2022. Many exhibitors from October have already registered for 2022. The OSGP Alliance will also be a partner of the EM-Power Europe again. Present your company as well and secure a good position in the exhibition hall of EM-Power Europe 2022 in Munich. As an OSGP Alliance Members, you will benefit from attractive special conditions.
Enel X And Gogoro Partner To Make The Power Grid In Taiwan Smarter
Enel X, the world's leading virtual power plant (VPP) and demand response service provider, and Gogoro®, a global technology leader in battery swapping ecosystems that enable sustainable urban mobility, today announced they will support the integration of more renewable power on electricity grids utilizing Enel X's VPP platform and Gogoro Network's battery swapping platform, beginning in Taiwan. The project is designed to support the local electricity grid run by Taiwan Power Company (TPC), Taiwan's public power utility. The announcement was made during a TPC hosted press conference in Taipei, Taiwan.
"As a global leader in sustainable urban transportation and battery swapping refueling, Gogoro is committed to working with public utilities like TPC in Taiwan, and industry leaders like Enel X, to utilize the full potential of innovative technologies like time-shifted power to support the transition to renewable power, first in Taiwan and in additional markets in the future," said Horace Luke, founder and CEO, Gogoro. "By joining Enel X's digitalized VPP platform, we blend our ecosystems of innovative technologies together to support public utilities incorporating new renewable energy sources."
Polish utility to install advanced metering infrastructure with EIB loan
In Poland, utility company TAURON has secured a PLN 2.8 billion ($704.6 million) loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to modernise its electricity distribution assets and install an advanced metering infrastructure.
The advanced metering infrastructure and smart grid technologies to be installed will enable TAURON to leverage real-time data and analytics to enhance the operations of its grid and customer services.
Sympower and Vattenfall to Provide Northern Europe with Grid Balancing
Sympower, the Dutch independent flexibility services provider, has extended its partnership for a further three years with the European energy utility giant - Vattenfall. Working together with one of Europe's largest producers and retailers of electricity and heat, the renewed contract allows Sympower to provide continued grid balancing services in the Swedish market, while opening up further markets in countries such as Denmark.
Commenting on the renewed partnership, Anders Tonhammar Lööf, Commercial Team Lead, Sympower said: "Sympower is quickly establishing an enviable reputation as a world leader in smart grid technologies. Partnerships such as these allow Sympower to accelerate the global transition towards 'net zero' by helping to build smarter, cleaner renewable energy systems and deploy a wider range of lower-carbon grid-balancing services, such as demand-side response, across Europe and in other parts of the world."
Intelligent grid control: EON subsidiaries gridX and Westenergie cooperate
The smart grid company "gridX" and the distribution system operator Westnetz are cooperating. Specifically, the Westenergie subsidiary wants to use gridX's energy management solution to further advance the future project "Grid Operation 4.0", according to a press release.
As part of this project, Westnetz is equipping 100 local grids with intelligent metering technology and connecting them to a digital system. The different components can thus communicate with each other in order to dynamically control power generation, consumption and storage. At the same time, the planning and operation of local networks would become even safer and more efficient. In this way, the distribution system operator is making an important contribution to the cost-optimal integration of flexible loads in the grid – above all to charging points for e-mobility.
MARKET NEWS
More than half of all electricity meters in Europe are now smart
A historic milestone has been reached in the European energy sector as the penetration of smart electricity metering has now passed the 50% mark. This could be concluded in the latest study of the European smart metering market from the IoT analyst firm Berg Insight, which has tracked the development of the market since 2004.
At the end 2020, the EU27+3 region was home to nearly 150 million smart electricity meters, corresponding to a penetration rate of 49%. Growing at a robust CAGR of 7.2%, the installed base is expected to exceed 227 million units in 2026. The European smart gas metering market will meanwhile increase its installed base of devices from 39 million units in 2020 to just over 70 million in 2026.
The Clean Energy Package and the Smart Metering Business Case
The Clean Energy Package (CEP) in Europe, and similar initiatives around the globe, are driving the smart energy transition forward. Accompanying this transition is a significant change in the role of smart meters in the DSO’s business case. It is a little strange to think of “old views” and “new views” for the smart meter business case, but the reality is that the concept has been around, practical and deployed for over a decade. However, there has been a transition in the role of the smart meter.
The CEP is a major element of this change as it formalises the role of the smart meter in the heart of the smart energy transition. Through alignment to the concepts of the CEP, a DSO can leverage their investment in smart meters and generate more business value.
Grid modernization plan seeks $220M investment into AEP Ohio smart grid
AEP Ohio filed a settlement regarding its grid modernization expansion plan this week with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), setting the stage for a seven-year, $220 million investment into smart grid equipment across the company’s rural service territory.
Through an agreement with PUCO staff, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, industrial user groups, the Ohio Hospital Association, competitive retail electric suppliers, the Smart Thermostat Coalition and Mission:data, AEP Ohio laid out plans to increase access to technologies like smart meters, real-time energy usage data, and distribution system reliability enhancements. The goal is to leave no customers behind, no matter their environment.
Serbia’s DSO Elektrodistribucija Srbije announces smart metering rollout
In mid-September, Elektrodistribucija Srbije signed a loan agreement for the smart metering rollout with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The entire project in Serbia is valued at EUR 80 million, and the contract with the EBRD covers the first phase – the procurement and installation of software and the new system, and the replacement of about 205,000 smart meters in the cities of Kraljevo, Čačak, and Niš. The investment in the first phase is estimated at EUR 40 million.
Prepaid electricity meters to be installed in Sikkim in phased manner: Minister
Gangtok: The Sikkim government has decided to install prepaid electricity meters in a phased manner to ensure operational efficiency and sustainable use of energy by consumers, state Power Minister M N Sherpa said on Wednesday.
In view of the Centre's Integrated Power Development Scheme, the state government has planned to install prepaid smart energy meters in all major cities and towns of Sikkim by December 2021 in a phased manner, he told reporters.
Case study into outwitting electricity theft
The high incidence of electricity theft, meter tampering, meter bypassing, reading errors, and defective and aged meters increases utility losses, especially non-technical losses (NTL). By using customer-level residential billing panel data from 2018 to 2019, obtained from Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), a study was undertaken on NTL in the distribution sector, since the economic viability of the whole electricity sector hinges on distribution.
The study assessed the effectiveness of the NTL programme using the difference-in-differences fixed-effect (DID-EF) approach. On average, the results indicated that the reported amount of customers’ monthly electricity consumption increases by 13.2% when any tampered post-paid meter is replaced with a smart prepaid meter. The study’s authors further employed quantile difference-in-differences regression and observed that reported energy consumption increased for all households except those at the lower quantile (25th quantile).
UPCOMING EVENTS
Enlit Europe, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December 2021
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Hydrogen Economy Europe 2021, Online Conference & Exhibition, 2-3 December 2021
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Distribution Systems Automation, Virtual Conference, 27-28 January 2022
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6th Power and Energy Tanzania 2022, Dar-es-Salaam, 10-12 February 2022
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Africa Energy Indaba, Virtual Conference & Physical Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa
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Future of Utilities – Smart Energy, London, UK, 8-9 March 2022
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EM-Power Europe 2022, Munich, Germany, 9-9 May 2022
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9th Power and Energy Kenya 2022, Nairobi, Kenya, 19-21 May 2022
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Enlit Africa Live Event, Cape Town, South Africa, 7-9 June 2022
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Power & Water Nigeria Exhibition & Conference, Lagos, Nigeria, 21-23 June 2022
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Enlit Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 20-22 September 2022
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Oct2021
MEMBER NEWS
Presentations EM-Power Europe forum (part of the Smarter E Europe) available for download
At the EM-Power Europe forum “Creating Connections – Inspiration for the Digital Grid” that took place on Thursday, 7 October at Messe München, Mark Ossel, Member of the Board, OSGP Alliance, presented an interesting presentation on “Are European Grids Smart Enough for the Future” with a focus on “Staying big or getting smaller” providing insights in expected structural changes in the energy system made possible by the increased use of digital tools.
At the same forum a successful case study on “Getting Ready for PV” was jointly presented by GAZELEC, OSGP Alliance, Odit-e and NES focusing on “Using Smart Meters and AI to optimize low-voltage grid operations and be ready for PV introduction. Both papers are available for download now.
Download “Are European Grids Smart Enough for the Future”
Dowload “Getting Ready for PV”
Enel unveils Grispertise, the company dedicated to the digital transformation of power grids
The new company of the Enel Group was presented today in a digital event. Gridspertise is a new subsidiary fully dedicated to supporting DSOs in the delivery of a new era of sustainable and reliable smart grids for all.
“We are proud to launch Gridspertise, entrusting it with our strong legacy of transforming distribution networks across the world into smart grids,” said Francesco Starace, CEO and General Manager of Enel. “The energy transition must rely on renewable electricity efficiently distributed by smart grids, open to all energy players willing to contribute to a fully electric future. Reliable and flexible smart grids are the primary enabler and contributor to the decarbonization and deep electrification targets, paving the way towards our net-zero objectives.
Washington utility upgrades meter data management with Siemens
In the US state of Washington, Snohomish County Public Utility District (Snohomish PUD) has selected consulting firm TRC Companies to implement a meter data management system as part of the utility’s advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) programme.
TRC Companies will implement, integrate and deliver the meter data management (MDM) on the Siemens EnergyIP platform for automation of smart meter data management business processes.
Tauron Dystrybucja goes all out in replacing meters with smart ones
The goal is to replace the meters with smart ones for all customers. We plan that 100% of customers will have smart meters at the beginning of 2030 – said Robert Zasina, President of Tauron Dystrybucja during the European Economic Congress in Katowice.
During the debate "Energy distribution – time for smart" held during the European Economic Congress, the president of Tauron Dystrybucja assessed that when it comes to replacing meters with smart ones, it can be said that after changing the regulations, after years of various pilots, the program has started. At the same time, he pointed out that there are still some things to be done. "In order for the implementation of smart metering to really take place, it is necessary to implement implementing regulations, which we should wait for in the coming weeks - said Robert Zasina.
Duke Energy Ohio seeks $55M rate increase to address grid and service improvements
In a filing with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio last week, Duke Energy Ohio requested an approximately $55 million increase to its electric distribution rates to support continued rollout of an optimized grid, smart meters and a series of new residential customer options.
Despite the $55 million price tag, for the average residential customer using 1,000 kW-hours per month this would amount to an increase of less than 15 cents per day, with more varying bill impacts for nonresidential customers.
MARKET NEWS
Kuwait Ministry of Electricity plans to install 800K smart meters within 2-3 years
KUWAIT CITY - Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy and Minister of Social Affairs and Community Development Dr Mishaan Al-Otaibi announced the ministry’s plan to install about 800,000 smart meters, expecting to complete the replacement of all meters in the country within a period of two to three years.
In his speech during the inauguration ceremony of smart meters for the Ministry of Electricity, Minister Al-Otaibi said that starting today, Tuesday, the new system will be launched and operated, and a contract to supply 200,000 meters has been signed as a first stage, and the tender for the second stage is on its way. He added that it is expected to complete the replacement of all meters in the country within a period ranging between two and three years, according to an installation strategy that begins with the investment and commercial areas first and then the rest of the sectors. He explained that the ministry has adopted several pioneering projects, all of which aim to improve the electrical and water network system while providing new services to customers with high quality and continuity through modern technology.
Rocky Mountain Power kicks off meter upgrade installations for 85,000 customers in Idaho
REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – Rocky Mountain Power is upgrading 85,000 meters in Idaho to new digital meters, also known as smart meters or advanced metering technology.
The installations will take place throughout the remainder of 2021 with installations forecast to be complete in 2022.
Italy’s SET Distribuzione launches second-generation smart meter programme
The initiative will see the rollout of the second generation SmartEcoMeter as a replacement for the first-generation smart meters, which were installed between 2008 and 2011 and are now reaching end of life.
It envisages the deployment of a total of almost 480,000 meters in two phases. In the first mass phase from 2022 to 2025, 393,000 smart meters, primarily replacements, are planned in the municipalities served by SET Distribuzione. A second phase is scheduled over the subsequent ten years to 2036 for management, maintenance and new installations.
Lagos State enters MoA to provide citizens with uninterrupted power
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Lagos State, Nigeria, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Ikeja Electric and Sahara Power Group to supply uninterrupted power to residents of the state.
The agreement also includes the distribution of free prepaid meters to low-income areas, with the pilot phase of 20,000 meters to be distributed in Alimosho Local Government Area of the state.
Grand Bahama Power’s smart meters to be installed at 25% of customer sites by year-end
FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — By the end of the year, Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) will have changed out 25 percent of all customers’ analog meters to smart meters and integrated them into the new, state-of-the-art advanced metering infrastructure (AMI).
AMI, a critical element of the company’s grid modernization initiative, is an integrated system of smart meters, communications networks and data management systems that enables two-way communication between utilities and customers.
DOE Announces Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator Program to Modernize the Grid
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) today announced the launch of the Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator, a technology partnership of federal experts, industry partners in the energy sector, and innovators to accelerate the development of new cybersecurity solutions for the nation’s evolving grid. The program will support efforts to modernize the grid, address cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and create a grid that will withstand the transition to a clean energy economy in the effort to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
“The transition to a clean energy economy will require groundbreaking cyber solutions to strengthen America’s grid security, protect our energy infrastructure, and address the increasing threat of extreme weather events across the country,” said Deputy Secretary of Energy David M. Turk. “We are grasping the opportunity to build a grid that can dispatch historic amounts of renewable energy across the country while addressing grid vulnerabilities and positioning America for a clean energy future.”
PRESS RELEASES
OSGP Alliance Welcomes GAZELEC as a New Member
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 27 October 2021: Within the “GAZELEC Régie”, GAZELEC offers a variety of services to the French community of the “City of PERONNE” including the production and distribution of electricity, gas, water, sanitation, and public lighting networks. In addition, GAZELEC has created its marketing company “Energies du Santerre” that supplies electricity and gas to the remaining parts of France.
GAZELEC, as the network manager, has been exploring flexible solutions, such as smart meters, to address the various new challenges associated with the desire to phase out nuclear energy with minimal financial impact to consumers. GAZELEC decided to use smart meters and AI as a way to optimise low-voltage grid operations and get prepared for PV introduction, as well as managing the grid integration of electric vehicles.
Power Africa selects Networked Energy Services as an Official Partner
Power Africa is collaborating with NES as it continues its expansion of utility projects in Africa.
San Jose, CA, October 25, 2021: Networked Energy Services Corporation (NES), a global smart grid solution provider with the industry’s leading Energy Applications Platform (EAPTM), is excited to announce its selection as an official partner of Power Africa, which is a U.S. Government-led partnership, coordinated by USAID.
Power Africa chose to collaborate with NES because of its plans to further expand into Africa, with projects in the DRC, Ghana, South Africa, and elsewhere. NES looks forward to supporting Power Africa by developing and implementing smart grid and smart metering projects in the region, which will reduce losses, improve revenue, and assist with generating project funding for adding MWs and new connections.
UPCOMING EVENTS
2nd Virtual Power Plant, Virtual Event, 4-5 November 2021
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Electricity Economics in Changing Electricity Markets, Live Online Course over 4 Sessions, 5-18 November 2021
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Smart City Expo World Congress, Barcelona, Spain, 16-18 November 2021
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Power China 2021, Guangdong, China, 18-20 November 2021
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Mastering Solar Power, Live Online Course over 5 Sessions, 22 November-3 December 2021
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Enlit Europe, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December 2021
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Hydrogen Economy Europe 2021, Online Conference & Exhibition, 2-3 December 2021
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Future of Utilities – Smart Energy, London, UK, 8-9 March 2022
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Power & Water Nigeria Exhibition & Conference, Lagos, Nigeria, 21-23 June 2022
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Sep2021
MEMBER NEWS
Creating Connections - Inspiration for the Digital Grid
As content partner of EM-POWER Europe taking place in Munich, 6-8 October 2021, the OSGP Alliance is organizing the session “Creating Connections – Inspiration for the Digital Grid” taking place at EM-Power Europe Forum, chaired by Mark Ossel, Member of the Board, OSGP Alliance.
Utilities have entered a new era of change and uncertainty. Security threats are growing, regulations are tightening, and new technologies—from smart meters to microgrids—are disrupting longstanding business models. The growing adoption of renewables has also challenged utilities to adapt by integrating these distributed energy resources into the grid. To thrive in the new era, strategy-minded utilities are increasingly planning for a future based on smart grid applications providing system interoperability and enabling a spectrum of new applications that improve grid safety, security and reliability. The challenges for utilities are huge, but so are the opportunities.
This session will provide you with new insights and real-life examples of what's possible for the new digital utility. The session takes place on Thursday 7 October from 12:00 pm - 01:00 pm
"European Governance of the Energy Transition" study from Enel and The European House - Ambrosetti: improve governance to open the way for investments and ensure the achievement of the climate and energy goals by 2030
Cernobbio, September 4th, 2021 - Positive impact on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment, as well as various environmental benefits. Effectively managing the energy transition by improving governance efficiency is an essentialprerequisite not only to ensure the energy system’s sustainability, but also to seize an unmissable opportunity to create value and employment. This is what emerges from the "European Governance of the Energy Transition" study, carried out by the Enel Foundation and The European House - Ambrosetti in collaboration with Enel.
The study was presented today, within the context of The European House - Ambrosetti Forum, in a press conference which saw the participation of Valerio De Molli, Managing Partner & CEO of The European House - Ambrosetti, Francesco Starace, CEO and General Manager of Enel and Stefano Manservisi, Professor and Member of the International Independent Task Force on Creative Climate Action, Sciences Po – Paris School for International Affairs.
NES and Prointer ITSS partner to accelerate smart energy transition in the Balkans
Networked Energy Services (NES) and Prointer ITSS join forces to modernise grids in the Balkans with the latest Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technology.
NES, a global smart grid solution provider with the industry’s leading Energy Applications Platform (EAPTM), is proud to announce its partnership with Prointer ITSS. NES and Prointer ITSS will bring the latest AMI to the Balkans, leveraging the strengths of NES technology and Prointer ITSS’s delivery expertise.
Schneider Electric prepares Milan grid for electrification of bus network
Technology company Schneider Electric has partnered with French vehicle manufacturer Alstom to help municipal public transport company Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM) to modernise the grid and electrify its bus network in Milan.
ATM plans to convert its fleet of 1,200 diesel buses to electric models by 2030. The transition will be possible if adequate grid infrastructure upgrades are put in place to support the charging infrastructure of the electric buses.
Tauron will replace almost 700 lamps in the Murów commune. The lighting is to operate in SMART technology
There will be nearly 700 new street lamps in the Murów commune. The local government signed an agreement with the company Tauron Nowe Technologie.
Tauron Nowe Technologie will replace nearly 700 street lamps in the municipality of Murów near Poland. The company said that thanks to the investment, the commune will reduce the energy demand for street lighting by 70 percent.
GE energizes Africa’s first ever fully digital high voltage substation
Paris, FRANCE and Dakar, SENEGAL – September 8, 2021 – GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business (NYSE-GE) recently commissioned the first ever fully digital high voltage substation on the African continent in Thiès, 70 km from Dakar in Senegal. This key 225 kV substation project is part of Senegal’s national electricity company Senelec’s transmission and distribution grid expansion, reinforcement and reliability enhancement program to be completed by VINCI Energies West Africa.
“This flagship project was made possible due to the robust synergy among VINCI Energies West Africa teams, the technical support of our team Omexom and the digital expertise of GE’s Grid Solutions. This first ever digital substation on the continent is a great example of how to successfully combine the ongoing energy transition with a needed digital transformation to make the Senegalese electricity network more reliable and efficient,” said Wassel Bouaouda, VINCI Energies.
MARKET NEWS
Visit OSGP Alliance at EM-POWER EUROPE
Efficient distribution and use of renewably generated electricity and heat as well as intelligent energy management within smart grids and microgrids, neighborhoods and buildings – these are the key topics at EM-Power Europe, the international exhibition for energy management and integrated energy solutions.
It presents businesses and the industry as a whole with products and solutions for a smart, sustainable and future-oriented energy supply and showcases ways to achieve a carbon-neutral future. Together with Intersolar Europe, ees Europe and Power2Drive Europe, it forms The smarter E Europe, the continent’s largest platform for the energy industry. EM-Power Europe will take place at Messe München from October 6–8.
We look forward to welcoming you at booth B5.472
For more information about the event, click here.
India’s smart meter rollout – 250 million meters by 2025
After years of efforts on the massive task of modernising India’s distribution sector to reduce losses and improve operational and financial efficiencies, the government has doubled down on the drive to deploy smart meters to all residential customers by 2025.
Anil Rawal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of IntelliSmart Infrastructure, the JV leading the drive for smart metering initiatives, discusses the rollout with Jonathan Spencer Jones.
EBRD signs EUR 40 million loan for Serbia’s smart metering roll-out
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has signed a EUR 40 million loan with Serbia’s power distribution operator, Elektrodistribucija Srbije, to procure and deploy smart electricity meters, a project that is expected to help improve energy efficiency, cut CO2 emissions, and integrate prosumers into the grid.
The entire project is valued at EUR 80 million, and the agreement with the EBRD covers the first phase – the procurement and installation of software and the new system and the replacement of about 205,000 smart meters in the cities of Kraljevo, Čačak, and Niš. The first stage should be completed by 2025, and the entire project by 2027.
Biden administration expands cybersecurity initiative piloted by electric sector
Private industry owns the vast majority of U.S. critical infrastructure but must partner with the federal government to defend it from increasingly sophisticated attacks, industry leaders said after Biden's summit. "The U.S government should establish a unified and sustainable public-private framework to enhance cyber collaboration," Southern Chairman, President and CEO Tom Fanning said in a statement.
According to Fanning, the private sector owns and operates 87% of U.S. critical infrastructure, making collaboration "imperative to thwart these attacks." The administration announced that the National Institute of Standards and Technology will work with the private sector on a new framework to improve the security and integrity of the technology supply chain.
TNB sees 600,000 new smart-meter users by year-end
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 600,000 Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) customers are expected to become smart meter users by year-end, as the installation project resumed on Aug 1 after being suspended due to the enforcement of the movement control order 3.0.
TNB Advanced Metering Infrastructure project director Mohamed Ghous Ahmad said with the resumption of meter installation works, the number of smart meter users would increase to more than 1.8 million by the end of 2021.
From smart meters to big batteries, co-ops emerge as clean grid laboratories
Minnesota electric cooperatives have quietly emerged as laboratories for clean grid innovation, outpacing investor-owned utilities on smart meter installations, time-based pricing pilots, and experimental storage solutions. “Co-ops have innovation in their DNA,” said David Ranallo, a spokesperson for Great River Energy, a generation and distribution cooperative that supplies power to 28 member utilities — making it one of the state’s largest co-op players.
Minnesota farmers helped pioneer the electric co-op model more than a century ago, pooling resources to build power lines, transformers and other equipment to deliver power to rural parts of the state. Today, 44 member-owned electric co-ops serve about 1.7 million rural and suburban customers and supply almost a quarter of the state’s electricity.
COVID forces a smart buildings rethink
The pandemic is revolutionising office designs with more emphasis on healthier, smarter and more efficient environments The return to offices has started. But while there may be disagreements between companies on how often staff should attend the office, there can be no question that the notion of corporate life has changed irrevocably during the pandemic. The advent of remote working, rush to digitalisation and emphasis on sustainability has consigned pre-pandemic practices to history – and no more so than in the buildings and construction sector.
According to a recent Honeywell report, Rethinking Buildings Post-COVID-19, 75% of surveyed US facility managers say COVID-19 has caused them to permanently rethink how their facility operates. Nearly 60% are more likely to invest in indoor air quality optimisation and other healthy building solutions, rising to 70% who are willing to invest in smart building solutions that help drive efficiency and support sustainability efforts.
There’s no decarbonisation without data
The IPCC report released in August is the latest wake up-call to Australia that it must lift its weight to prevent the looming climate catastrophe. The report concludes that permanent climate change is closer than previously thought, with temperatures expected to rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030, unless urgent action is taken.
The action we must take is clear, and the tools we need are at hand. Decarbonisation demands grid improvements, measurable corporate sustainability transformations and the collective will of energy consumers. The common prerequisite in each of these elements is the sophisticated use of energy data.
PRESS RELEASE
NES Selected as Best Smart Energy Software Company of Silicon Valley 2021
31 Aug 2021 San Jose Award Program Again Honors Networked Energy Services Software Achievements
San Jose, CA, August 31, 2021: Networked Energy Services Corporation (NES), a global smart grid solution provider with the industry’s leading Patagonia Energy Applications Platform (EAPTM), announced today that it has been selected for the Silicon Valley 2021 Best Smart Energy Software Company Award by the San Jose Award Program. This is the second straight year that NES has been recognized for its software achievements.
Each year, the San Jose Award Program identifies companies in the Silicon Valley community and business area that they believe have achieved exceptional market success. This includes local companies that enhance the positive image of business through service to their customers and involvement in the community. The Program selects exceptional companies who help make San Jose and the Silicon Valley area a great place to live, work and play.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Solartech Indonesia, Jakarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
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PowerGen & Renewable Energy Indonesia 2020, Jakarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
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3rd Annual Utility Cyber Security Forum, Chicago, USA, 6-7 October 2021
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EM-Power Europe, Munich, Germany, 6-8 October 2021
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Budapest Climate Summit, Budapest, Hungary, 7-8 October 2021
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9th Power & Energy Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya, 7-9 October 2021
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IEC 61850 Week 2021, Gothenburg, Sweden, 18-22 October 2021
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EcoEnergy Expo, Kiev, Ukraine, 19-21 October 2021
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Power Engineering for Industry, EcoEnergy, 19-21 October 2021
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Digital Utilities Europe 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 27-28 October 2021
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POWERGEN India, Indian /utility Week and DISTRIBUTECH India, New Delhi, India, 27-29 October 2021
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2nd Virtual Power Plant, Virtual Event, 4-5 November 2021
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Electricity Economics in Changing Electricity Markets, Live Online Course over 4 Sessions, 5-18 November 2021
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Smart City Expo World Congress, Barcelona, Spain, 16-18 November 2021
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Mastering Solar Power, Live Online Course over 5 Sessions, 22 November-3 December 2021
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Enlit Europe, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December 2021
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Power & Water Nigeria Exhibition & Conference, Lagos, Nigeria, 21-23 June 2022
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Aug2021
MEMBER NEWS
OSGP ALLIANCE welcomes PROINTER as new member
The OSGP Alliance is very honored by PROINTER IT SOUTIONS AND SERVICES’ (PROINTER ITSS) decision to join the Alliance as a Silver Member.
PROINTER ITSS was founded in 2015 with the goal of being the carrier of innovations that create a modern and advanced business environment, and it looks like they are on a promising path of achieving just that. Prointer’s main vision when it comes to the energy industry is to become the leader in the field of smart metering in the Balkans and they see serious potential and a large opportunity window for upgrade of old systems still in place in the Balkan region.
With PROINTER ITSS’ wealth of experience in the energy industry, the OSGP Alliance is very pleased to welcome PROINTER ITSS to help promoting the adoption of the Open Smart Grid Protocol (OSGP) and infrastructure for smart grid applications towards a future proof modern smart grid in the Balkan region!
Are European Grids Smart Enough for the Future?
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 | 11am–12pm CEST | Webinar Language: English
As content partner of EMPOWER Europe, the OSGP Alliance is organizing the webinar “Are European Grids Smart Enough for the Future?” taking place on Tuesday, September 14, 11am-12pm CEST. The webinar is free to attend.
At the webinar, Kirsten Glennung, Projects Director of E.DSO will focus on “New approaches for managing electricity distribution grids” and you will get insights in the uptake of innovative digital technologies and why and how utilities are focusing on combining flexibility measures, storages and demand response services with smart technologies and automation instruments for a major control of the network and distributed energy resources.
In the second part of the webinar, the OSGP Alliance focuses on smart grid threat detection and cyber security because deployments of smart meters and other smart infrastructure dramatically increase the attack surface exposed to threat actors.
More information and free registration
Special discount plan for OSGP Alliance Pavilion participation in Enlit Europe 2021, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December
Following up on previous successes, OSGP Alliance will join Enlit Europe 2021 taking place in Milan, from 30 November – 2 December 2021. Enlit Europe brings together thought leaders behind the world’s most successful utilities and solution providers. The exhibition floor is where visitors explore innovations and technologies helping to transform the utility landscape, where they do business and meet fellow utility leaders & professionals showcasing projects, intelligence and insights into future solutions. As one of 1000 exhibitors, you get a great opportunity to showcase your brand and services and position your company as one of the leading companies in the global smart energy market!
If you wish to strengthen your position within the OSGP ecosystem, promote your company, as well as your hardware/software/system solutions, join the OSGP Alliance Pavilion and benefit from exclusive pavilion partnership discounts and great promotion and branding opportunities.
Please contact secretariat@osgp.org for details on the sponsorship package options that best suit your requirements.
OSGP Alliance will join EM-POWER EUROPE as Exhibitor
Efficient distribution and use of renewably generated electricity and heat as well as intelligent energy management within smart grids and microgrids, neighborhoods and buildings – these are the key topics at EM-Power Europe, the international exhibition for energy management and integrated energy solutions.
It presents businesses and the industry as a whole with products and solutions for a smart, sustainable and future-oriented energy supply and showcases ways to achieve a carbon-neutral future. Together with Intersolar Europe, ees Europe and Power2Drive Europe, it forms The smarter E Europe, the continent’s largest platform for the energy industry. EM-Power Europe will take place at Messe München from October 6–8.
We look forward to welcoming you at booth B5.472
For more information about the event, click here.
How a building's energy performance is affected by renewable energy and load shedding
While most people instinctively expect that a building with solar PV plant will have a better EPC rating than a building that does not rely on any form of renewable energy, this is not the case.
According to the SANS 1544 (Energy performance certificates for buildings) all energy carriers into a building must be included in the calculation of a building’s energy performance. An energy carrier is defined in the standard as an “energy form or system, including but not limited to, electricity, gas, fossil fuels, and renewable energy”. While it is obvious that grid supplied electricity consumed in a building should count towards the energy performance, some of the other carriers need closer examination.
Let us start with the way “renewable energy” is treated in the calculation of a building’s energy performance rating. The inclusion of renewable energy in the definition of energy carriers implies that the energy performance and consequently the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of a building will not improve should the property owner invest in, say, a solar PV plant that provides some, or even all, of the electricity consumed in the building. It might be argued that this is incorrect – that a building’s EPC rating should reflect the fact that renewable energy is used in the building, moving the building closer towards the “net zero” ideal. However, the purpose of an EPC is to determine the energy performance of a building, not the carbon emission performance thereof.
Alliander: Shortage on the electricity grid affects everyone
In the first half of 2021, energy network company Alliander invested €465 million, a €60 million increase compared to the same period last year. Despite these substantial investments, it seems difficult to keep up with the current pace of the energy transition.
The chronic shortage of technical personnel and long lead times due to permit procedures are among the main causes of this situation. This means that the capacity shortage on the electricity grid is set to increase even further. The consequences of the limitations of the current grid will affect businesses and consumers in the coming years.
MARKET NEWS
Nigeria enters 2nd phase of National Mass Metering project
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that they will be providing up to four million meters to Nigerians in the second phase of its National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP). The move is expected to drastically reduce estimated billing by the distribution companies (Discos). A statement from the office of the Special Adviser on Infrastructure to the President, Ahmad Zakari, said arrangements to commence the metering process have been completed.
The statement noted that the next phase of the initiative will ensure consumers are billed appropriately for the electricity they consume by installing meters free of charge in households and business premises that are currently not metered.
Atlantic City Electric gets go-ahead for smart energy network
Southern New Jersey utility Atlantic City Electric has received regulatory approval for its service area-wide ‘Smart Energy Network’. The initiative is planned to deliver smart meters to all of the company’s approximately 560,000 customers and to upgrade the network to enhance reliability and resiliency.
With increasingly common severe weather events, a key benefit is expected to be faster and more efficient identification of the cause and location of power outages and their restoration.
Cherokee County Electric Cooperative Partners with FiberRise for Grid Modernization and Broadband Initiative
Cherokee County Electric Cooperative Association (CCECA) has initiated a fiber-based grid modernization project throughout its service area, including Cherokee, Smith, Rusk, and Nacogdoches counties. Construction is expected to begin in November 2021 and will provide connectivity for six substations initially in support of its Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS). The Utility Grade Broadband architecture enables the service area for gigabit broadband services as well.
“A fiber network design that supports DERMS, SCADA and outage management is essential to improving the reliability of electricity to our members,” said Bart Bauer, engineering supervisor for CCECA. “Lack of access to quality broadband is also a big problem for our community. FiberRise’s Utility Grade Broadband serves our electric and broadband needs with a flexible and efficient architecture that provides additional revenue opportunities and capabilities that benefit our cooperative membership. CCECA will soon offer lightning-fast speeds for work-at-home, telehealth, and educational applications.”
IoT Is Changing The Grid’s Landscape
Remember when the internet of things (IoT) was the new kid on the block? It’s only been about 20 years ago since the term was coined. That can be stretched by another 20 years if the students who wired a campus Coke machine to a network are considered. They wanted to know the number of Coke cans in the machine and how cold they were without walking to the machine, but that’s another story.
What started me thinking about IoT technology was a report I had stumbled upon the other day. According to Statista, “The total installed base of IoT connected devices worldwide is projected to amount to 30.9 billion units by 2025, a sharp jump from the 13.8 billion units that are expected in 2021.” That’s a lot of connectivity in a relatively short period of time, but the technology has become an important component of today’s digitalization. IoT has also undergone a great deal of specialization in the process became consumer IoT, commercial IoT, industrial IoT, utility IoT, and the list grows.
Better energy efficiency policy with digital tools
The digitalisation of energy systems is transforming energy efficiency, introducing technologies and creating new sources of detailed data which are supporting new business models and revenue streams. As the market and technology landscape transform, policy makers are also increasingly taking advantage of digital tools for energy efficiency policy to deliver more secure, clean, and flexible energy systems. At the same time, the digital transformation also introduces important new risks in terms of cybersecurity and privacy that governments must navigate to ensure that the digital transition has the confidence of citizens and market participants.
This article describes how governments are turning to digital tools to strengthen the policy cycle of designing, implementing and monitoring energy efficiency policies. It highlights case studies of the main tools that are currently being used and identifies the main risks and constraints to their greater adoption.
SADC and COMESA receive AfDB grant to advance electricity regulations
SADC and COMESA will receive $2.5 million in combined grants from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to advance intra-regional harmonisation of electricity regulations and drive cross-border power trading.
The grants, $1.5 million for COMESA and $1 million for SADC, will be sourced from the African Development Fund, the bank group’s concessional financing window. The projects will be implemented through the Regional Association of Energy Regulators for Eastern and Southern Africa (RAERESA) and the Regional Energy Regulators Association of Southern Africa (RERA) respectively.
PRESS RELEASE
Networked Energy Services Partners with Prointer ITSS to Accelerate the Smart Energy Transition in the Balkans
NES and Prointer ITSS Join Forces to Modernise Grids in Balkans with the Latest Advanced Metering Infrastructure Technology
San Jose, CA, August 24, 2021: Networked Energy Services Corporation (NES), a global smart grid solution provider with the industry’s leading Energy Applications Platform (EAPTM), is proud to announce its partnership with Prointer ITSS. NES and Prointer ITSS will bring the latest AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) to the Balkans, leveraging the strengths of NES technology and Prointer ITSS’s delivery expertise.
NES, with its implementation of the Open Smart Grid Protocol (OSGP), has an established position as an industry leader in secure smart grid solutions. Through its OSGP implementation, NES AMI offers industry leading communications, with deployments typically exceeding 99% reliability. Resilience to noise is a key consideration in any AMI rollout. NES’s proven performance is a unique qualification for the Balkans, and an essential enabler for DSO digitization. Together with its AMI solution, NES brings proven O&M (Operations and Maintenance) solutions to help DSOs achieve the full business benefit of their infrastructure investment, and innovative threat detection solutions to augment its already industry leading cyber-security.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Electric Vehicles & the Grid, Live online course, 31 August – 2 September 2021
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The Future Energy Show Philippines, Virtual Event, 2-3 September 2021
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2nd Annual Africa Solar Energy Forum, Virtual Event, 7-8 September 2021
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MOVE ASIA, Online Event, 7-9 September 2021
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Are European Grids Smart Enough for the Future? Webinar, free to attend, 14 September 2021, 11am-12pm
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Energy Storage, Live online course, 13-16 September,
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EMPOWER EUROPE - Are European Grids Smart Enough for the Future? Free Webinar, 14 September 2021
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SPARK-Energy Reimagined, Online Event, 14-15 September 2021
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Future of Utilities Summit, London, UK, 15-16 September 2021
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Enlit Asia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 28-30 September 2021
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Renewable Energy & Smart Grid Conference & Trade Show, Virtual Event, 29-30 September, 2021
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Solartech Indonesia, Jakarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
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PowerGen & Renewable Energy Indonesia 2020, Jakarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
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Utility Cyber Security Forum, Chicago, USA, 6-7 October 2021
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EM-Power Europe, Munich, Germany, 6-8 October 2021
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Budapest Climate Summit, Budapest, Hungary, 7-8 October 2021
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9th Power & Energy Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya, 7-9 October 2021
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IEC 61850 Week 2021, Gothenburg, Sweden, 18-22 October 2021
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EcoEnergy Expo, Kiev, Ukraine, 19-21 October 2021
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Power Engineering for Industry, EcoEnergy, 19-21 October 2021
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Digital Utilities Europe 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 27-28 October 2021
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POWERGEN India, Indian /utility Week and DISTRIBUTECH India, New Delhi, India, 27-29 October 2021
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2nd Virtual Power Plant, Virtual Event, 4-5 November 2021
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Electricity Economics in Changing Electricity Markets, Live Online Course over 4 Sessions, 5-18 November 2021
Read more...
Mastering Solar Power, Live Online Course over 5 Sessions, 22 November-3 December 2021
Read more...
Enlit Europe, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December 2021
Read more...
Jul2021
MEMBER NEWS
Special discount plan for OSGP Alliance Pavilion participation in Enlit Europe 2021, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December
Following up on previous successes, OSGP Alliance will join Enlit Europe 2021 taking place in Milan, from 30 November – 2 December 2021.
Enlit Europe brings together thought leaders behind the world’s most successful utilities and solution providers. The exhibition floor is where visitors explore innovations and technologies helping to transform the utility landscape, where they do business and meet fellow utility leaders & professionals showcasing projects, intelligence and insights into future solutions. As one of 1000 exhibitors, you get a great opportunity to showcase your brand and services and position your company as one of the leading companies in the global smart energy market!
If you wish to strengthen your position within the OSGP ecosystem, promote your company, as well as your hardware/software/system solutions, join the OSGP Alliance Pavilion and benefit from exclusive pavilion partnership discounts and great promotion and branding opportunities.
Please contact secretariat@osgp.org for details on the sponsorship package options that best suit your requirements.
Visit OSGP Alliance at EM-POWER EUROPE RESTART– The International Exhibition for Energy Management and Integrated Energy Solutions
Efficient distribution and use of renewably generated electricity and heat as well as intelligent energy management within smart grids and microgrids, neighborhoods and buildings – these are the key topics at EM-Power Europe, the international exhibition for energy management and integrated energy solutions.
This year, due to the pandemic, The smarter E Europe and its four concurrent energy exhibitions Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe and EM-Power Europe will be staged at Messe München from October 6–8.
The OSGP Alliance will be present as exhibitor and will play an active role at the exhibition forum “Creating Connections - Inspiration for the Digital Grid”.
Schneider Electric completes investment in Operation Technology, Inc. (“ETAP”) to spearhead smart and green electrification
Further to the announcement made on 16th November 2020, Schneider Electric, the global leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, announces that it has successfully completed the transaction to purchase a controlling stake in Operation Technology Inc. (“ETAP”). ETAP will be consolidated within the Energy Management business.
ETAP is an energy management & engineering solutions company specializing in modelling, simulation, design, planning, monitoring, control, operator training, optimization, and automation of power systems. ETAP's integrated digital-twin platform offers the best comprehensive suite of enterprise solutions. As the only high-impact software in its class, ETAP has been a market and technology leader for over 35 years, providing the most comprehensive and widely-used enterprise solutions trusted by 10,000+ companies ranging from, generation, transmission, distribution, industrial, transportation, data centers to low-voltage power systems.
Smart metering and power line communications
Smart metering with two-way communications provides the critical foundation for establishing a smart grid. Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems employ a wide range of communications technologies, including radio frequency (RF) mesh, power line communications (PLC), and cellular. Utilities should look for solutions that support a variety of applications that fully integrate into future operational plans, but what type of communication solution is best?
Utilities own and manage a vast network: the electricity grid that delivers power to their customers. Through decades of investment and operations, distribution system operators (DSOs) or distribution companies (Discoms) have become experts at managing their electricity distribution networks that reach 100 percent of their customers. By using the electricity distribution network for communications, discoms can leverage their extensive experience and also reuse maintenance tools and resources, thereby avoiding the maintenance costs of a dedicated communication network. With every extension of the electricity distribution network, the communication network grows accordingly.
Duke Energy Florida urges customers to prepare for Tropical Storm Elsa
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Duke Energy Florida is preparing for Tropical Storm Elsa and is urging customers to prepare as well. Company meteorologists are tracking the storm and crews are preparing to safely and quickly respond if the storm impacts Duke Energy Florida’s service area.
Tropical Storm Elsa could potentially strengthen and bring heavy rainfall, strong winds and localized flooding to portions of the company’s service area. Placing crews near areas that will likely be affected by this system will allow for the most rapid response after a storm passes through.
New prepaid electricity meter enters the private property market
Conlog announced the launch of a new prepaid electricity meter, the BEC 21 targeted for the private property segment. With the release of this new product, the focus for Conlog is to promote fit-for-purpose solutions for metering.
The new smart meter is rated 60A, is internationally certified and provides its users with advanced protection, multiple tamper detection features – while being simple and intuitive to use.
MARKET NEWS
India revises net metering arrangements
India’s Ministry of Power has issued an order setting net metering for rooftop solar installations up to 500kW capacity. The order issued as an amendment to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules 2020 revises an earlier rule from December 2020 when those rules were released capping net metering for systems up to 10kW. For systems greater than 10kW gross metering would be required.
The new rule states that where regulations made by the state commission do not provide for net metering, net billing or net feed-in, net metering may be allowed for loads up to 500kW or the sanctioned load, whichever is the lower.
Flexibility solutions could allow German industry to relieve power grid
German companies could make a significant contribution to stabilising the electricity grid by flexibly adapting their demand to available supply, according to a new study conducted by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research’s (BMBF) SynErgie project. SynErgie is one of the ministry’s Copernicus Projects, an energy transition research initiative that aims to make it possible for Germany to become climate-neutral by 2045.
Specifically, SynErgie studies has calculated the extent to which industry can help to offset fluctuations caused by the intermittent supply of wind and solar-generated electricity and relieve the power grid. In addition, an international comparison shows that flexibility solutions from Germany could become an international export hit.
Tata Power Initiates Smart Metering for Mumbai Consumers
Tata Power is the first distribution utility in Mumbai, India, to initiate smart metering for its consumers. More than 7000 smart meters have been installed so far. With the installation of smart meters, Tata Power has also provided its customers with valuable data analytics tools. Customers can now view and optimize their electricity consumption in near real time through a customer portal and mobile app.
Smart meters are a smart choice, both for customers as well as energy providers, offering complete transparency regarding energy consumption patterns and billing. The smart meter rollout has witnessed a positive support from customers, allowing them easy access to monitor their consumption in just a few clicks on an hourly, daily, or monthly basis.
The Advanced Metering Infrastructure Market was valued at USD 10.47 billion in 2020, and it is expected to reach USD 22.98 billion by 2026, registering a CAGR of 13.9%, during the forecast period of 2021-2026
Smart Meters represent a transformative technology for the utility industry. These technologically advanced meters provide greater insight into the usage of energy. Smart Meters have been employed as a part of Advanced Metering Infrastructure development initiatives around the world.
New York, July 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Advanced Metering Infrastructure Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06106029/?utm_source=GNW
The development of an integrated and IT-enabled power grid and other support software to analyze the patterns provides significant benefits to the user. Such a grid, known as a ‘smart grid,’ supports the expansion of distributed production, lowers costs, promotes energy efficiency, and improves both the reliability and security of the entire production, transmission, and distribution system. AMI is a vital part of any smart grid initiative. Government agencies and utilities are turning toward AMI systems as part of larger "smart grid" initiatives. For instance, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global electricity demand is anticipated to increase by nearly 80% between 2012 & 2040.
Norwegian Utility Smart Meter App Cuts Customers' Energy Usage
Energy companies Eidsiva and Gudbrandsdal Energi, part of Norway's largest utility Fjordkraft, have demonstrated that energy usage can be reduced over long periods of time by giving customers access to smart meters and analytics tools on their phones.
By analyzing consumption data of more than 1000 customers all the way back to 2013, it was possible to identify a clear shift in consumption patterns from the date a household started using a mobile app for tracking their consumption. Data shows electricity consumption decreased by 6.8% (mean) or 8.7% (median) after becoming users of the app, compared to data recorded on the households' smart meters before having access to the app.
NextGenerationEU: European Commission endorses Cyprus's €1.2 billion recovery and resilience plan
The European Commission has adopted a positive assessment of Cyprus's recovery and resilience plan. This is an important step towards the EU disbursing a total of €1.2 billion in grants and loans under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. This financing will support the implementation of the crucial investment and reform measures outlined in Cyprus's recovery and resilience plan. It will play a key role in enabling Cyprus to emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Commission's assessment finds that Cyprus's plan devotes 41% of the plan's total allocation to measures that support climate objectives. The plan includes reforms relating to the introduction of green taxation, the liberalisation of the electricity market, facilitating energy renovations in buildings and accelerating electric mobility. The plan further includes a broad range of energy efficiency and renewable energy investments targeting households, enterprises, municipalities and the wider public sector and non-governmental organisations (‘NGOs'). The plan includes investments relating to the mass roll-out of smart meters as well as the EuroAsia Interconnector project, which should aid electricity generation from cleaner sources, in particular renewables.
Pune: MSEDCL to introduce smart meters for domestic consumers
In a significant step, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL), has decided to introduce smart meters on an experimental basis for domestic consumers.
The move comes after directions were given by Energy Minister Nitin Raut. “We will soon install smart meters in the homes of domestic consumers in major cities like Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur and Aurangbad. This will be done on an experimental basis. If the experiment is successful, the smart meter system will be implemented across the state,” Bharat Pawar, spokesperon for the Energy Ministry, told The Indian Express on Wednesday.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreements, Live online course, 3-12 August 2021,
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Power China 2021, Guangzhou, China, 16 - 18 August 2021
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Power & Electricity World Africa 2021, Virtual Event, 24-25 August 2021
Electric Vehicles & the Grid, Live online course, 31 August – 2 September 2021
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The Future Energy Show Philippines, Virtual Event, 2-3 September 2021
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MOVE ASIA, Online Event, 7-9 September 2021
Read more...
Energy Storage, Live online course, 13-16 September,
Read more...
SPARK-Energy Reimagined, Online Event, 14-15 September 2021
Read more...
Future of Utilities Summit, London, UK, 15-16 September 2021
Read more...
Enlit Asia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 28-30 September 2021
Read more...
Solartech Indonesia, Jakarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
Read more...
PowerGen & Renewable Energy Indonesia 2020, Jakarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
Read more...
EM-Power Europe, Munich, Germany, 6-8 October 2021
Read more...
Budapest Climate Summit, Budapest, Hungary, 7-8 October 2021
9th Power & Energy Kenya, Nairobi, Keynia, 7-9 October 2021
Read more...
IEC 61850 Week 2021, Gothenburg, Sweden, 18-22 October 2021
Read more...
EcoEnergy Expo, Kiev, Ukraine, 19-21 October 2021
Read more...
Power Engineering for Industry, EcoEnergy, 19-21 October 2021
Read more...
Digital Utilities Europe 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 27-28 October 2021
Read more...
Enlit Europe, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December 2021
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Jun2021
MEMBER NEWS
Vattenfall supports Conapto’s data centres with 24/7 electricity matching
New fossil-free energy agreement, and a 24/7 Matching solution, has been signed between Vattenfall and Swedish colocation data centre operator Conapto with two data centres and headquarter in Stockholm.
The unique 24/7 Matching solution was introduced to the market after the successful pilot that was done together with Microsoft in 2019. Data centre Conapto is now the first company after Microsoft to implement the 24/7 Matching solution in its operations starting 1 November.
Alliander: Smart open source solutions help energy transition along
Network company Alliander is entering into national and international collaborations using open source software. With open source software, the source code is freely available and can be used, modified and shared by third parties.
For Alliander, participating in open source projects is a way of meeting the challenges of the energy transition and, this way, accelerating innovation. It also helps to further increase the reliability of the power grid by, on the one hand, deploying smart solutions and, on the other, by sharing insights. The Weather Provider API is exactly such a smart open source tool, one that allows you to collect weather data with ease. Alliander will be holding a webinar on this tool on 7 July.
Ecological Network Path Management – E.ON Supports United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
E.ON is the first energy company in the world to support the United Nations Environment Program in restoring ecosystems for climate protection and biodiversity. As Europe’s largest operator of electricity distribution networks, E.ON will create valuable biotopes under 13,000 kilometers of high-voltage lines in forest areas. This is equivalent to an area of 100,000 soccer fields. Ecological route management makes an important contribution to healthier ecosystems and greater biodiversity throughout Europe. E.ON is a partner of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), which has proclaimed the “Decade for Ecosystem Restoration” to mark World Environment Day on June 5.
Leonhard Birnbaum, CEO of E.ON: We are creating new habitats and biotopes throughout Europe, making a significant contribution to biodiversity and climate protection. Being a partner of UNEP fills us with pride, but at the same time it is also an obligation to consistently implement sustainability in everything we do.
Networked Energy Services launches threat detection and response for the low voltage grid
NES helps DSOs prepare for the anticipated up-surge in cyber-security attacks on the smart grid.
Networked Energy Services Corporation (NES), a global smart grid solution provider with the industry’s leading Energy Applications Platform (EAPTM), is proud to announce the further strengthening of its security solutions with threat detection and response, with planned deployments for over 1 million smart meters by mid-2021 for its new Grid Watch solution.
Enel cuts ribbon on Flexibility Lab, promoting innovation towards flexible distribution networks
Rome, May 26th, 2021 – The Enel Group inaugurates today the Flexibility Lab initiative, which consists in four decentralized test centers featuring highly qualified personnel, advanced systems and state-of-the-art instrumentation that can replicate the real and complex operating conditions of electrical networks, to experiment innovative flexibility solutions.
"The widespread availability of energy from renewable sources, the development of electric mobility and the increased electrification on the consumption side all call for enhanced grid robustness, in order to respond to the needs of an energy world that is quickly embracing a complete energy transition," said Antonio Cammisecra, Head of Enel’s Global Infrastructure and Networks. "Through its Flexibility Lab, Enel opens up four centers of excellence that will allow, in the future, all the stakeholders of the emerging flexibility market to collaborate, test, and verify their solutions within a real Distribution Network Operation framework ensuring technological neutrality. By fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration, the Flexibility Lab aims at enhancing the contribution and diffusion of grid connected distributed energy resources, thus supporting the ambitious decarbonization targets on the roadmap to a net-zero future."
MARKET NEWS
Emerging markets poised to achieve smart metering despite COVID-19
When the ongoing COVID-19 crisis fades into the past and the global economy recovers, the long-term view for smart meter deployment and emerging market growth is strong, writes Stephen Chakerian.
North America, Western Europe, and East Asia are largely concluding most of their first-time smart meter rollouts over the next few years and attention has shifted to emerging markets. The leading emerging market countries are forecast to deploy 148 million smart meters (excluding the Chinese market which will deploy more than 300 million more), representing billions of dollars in investment over the next five years. Of course, the global pandemic is far from settled, and emerging market countries are now experiencing the greatest challenges in vaccine access and distribution. But as the ongoing crisis fades into the past and the global economy rebounds, the long view for emerging market growth is strong.
Why smart meter adoption in Africa lacks cohesion
Throughout Africa, specifically the sub-Saharan Africa region, utilities and municipalities often attribute non-technical losses to an extensive list of challenges. In response to these challenges, strategic revenue collection methods such as the deployment of smart meters has risen. But has adoption been successful?
In this region, the power industry is characterised by regular blackouts, theft and fraud, and inefficient energy management. Furthermore, efficient customer service appears to be difficult to attain as utilities grapple with inaccurate invoicing and revenue losses. Smart electricity metering seems to be an effective solution to most of these challenges.
Official launch of the EU DSO Entity
Today marks the official launch of the EU DSO Entity which is a new association for the European distribution system operators (DSO). The Entity emanates from the European Electricity Regulation (EU) 2019/943 and aims to increase efficiencies in the electricity distribution networks in the Union and to ensure close cooperation with transmission system operators and the ENTSO for Electricity.
The Entity will provide a platform of cooperation between all the electricity DSOs with the overall objective of positioning itself as an expert body tackling essential matters such as developing network codes and guidelines, contributing to the digitalisation of the DSO systems and facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources.
Smart meters and 100% green power for Mumbai consumers
Tata Power is delivering smart meters and 100% green power to its residential and C&I customers in Mumbai. Tata Power declaring itself to be the first distributor to roll out smart meters in Mumbai says it has installed more than 7,000 units to date.
With the installation, the utility also has enabled its customers with valuable data analytics tools. Customers can now view and optimise their electricity consumption in near real time through the customer portal and mobile app.
FERC Order No. 2222 Can Drive Innovation, Lower Costs Across the U.S. Considering the Range of Use Cases for Distributed Energy in Wholesale Markets
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 10, 2021 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) released a report illustrating use cases for distributed energy resources (DER) in wholesale electricity markets that DER aggregators and other stakeholders expect to pursue under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Order No. 2222. These use cases demonstrate how increased DER participation in wholesale markets can improve competition, lower rates, give customers greater choice, and provide needed flexibility to support the reliability and resilience of the electricity grid. In the report, AEE also offers recommendations to guide Order No. 2222 compliance planning efforts currently underway by grid operators to ensure that implementation of the landmark order overcomes barriers that stand in the way of delivering the full value of DERs to customers and regional grid operators.
“Customers are already adopting these distributed, cost-effective, flexible resources. FERC’s order simply embraces existing market trends and ensures that we are making the best use of this new set of flexible resources to ensure grid reliability and affordability," said Jeff Dennis, Managing Director and General Counsel at AEE. “But the benefits of Order No. 2222 will only be realized if RTO/ISO participation models accommodate a wide range of near-term and future DER use cases.”
India To Spend $21.6 Billion On Smart Grid Infrastructure By 2025
India is looking to smart grid infrastructure to help tackle an out-of-control electricity theft problem and improve reliability. Theft costs the Indian power sector $16.2bn per year. India's government has already committed billions of dollars in funding for smart grid infrastructure and cumulative spending is forecasted at $21.6bn over the period 2015-2025, according to a new study published today by Northeast Group, LLC.
"India loses more money to theft than any other country in the world," said Ben Gardner, President of Northeast Group. "The state of Maharashtra—which includes Mumbai—alone loses $2.8bn per year, more than all but eight countries in the world. Nationally, total transmission and distribution losses approach 23% and some states' losses exceed 50%. Most Indian utilities are financially unsustainable."
PRESS RELEASES
Networked Energy Services Partners with Cover Energy Plus to Help Drive the Smart Energy Transformation in Ukraine
15 Jun 2021
NES and CEP provide industry leading smart grid technology and services essential in maintaining the growing momentum in the region
San Jose, CA, June 15, 2021: Networked Energy Services Corporation (NES), a global smart grid solution provider with the industry’s leading Energy Applications Platform (EAPTM), is proud to announce its partnership with Cover Energy Plus (CEP). NES and CEP will be a driving force in the rollout of smart metering solutions in Ukraine, combining NES' highly reliable and secure Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) with CEP’s practical rollout experience in traditional and renewable energy projects.
NES, with its implementation of the Open Smart Grid Protocol (OSGP), has an established position as an industry leader in secure smart grid solutions. With its recent introduction of Grid Watch threat detection and response solution, NES is one of the few AMI vendors that can address the cyber-security requirements of Ukraine’s digitization programs. Through its OSGP implementation, NES AMI offers industry leading communications, with deployments typically exceeding 99% reliability. Resilience to noise is a key consideration in any AMI rollout. NES’s proven performance, again, is a unique qualification for Ukraine, and an essential enabler for DSO digitization.
The smarter E AWARD 2021: Finalists Present Pioneering Projects and Products for Energy Industry
10 Jun 2021
Munich/Pforzheim, June 10, 2021: The finalists for The smarter E AWARD 2021 are in fine form again this year with their pioneering projects and products promoting a sustainable energy industry. The Outstanding Projects category honors energy projects that have been completed around the world. The Smart Renewable Energy category celebrates sector coupling solutions as well as smart management tools for energy systems. The winners of The smarter E AWARD will be crowned on a virtual stage as part of The smarter E Industry Days being held between July 21 and 23, 2021.
The smarter E Europe is the continent’s largest platform for the energy industry, showcasing intelligently connected concepts and solutions geared toward efficient energy generation and usage. Innovation is an essential driving force behind a cross-sector approach on this level. With that in mind, the valued innovation prize of the energy industry – The smarter E AWARD – centers around solutions and concepts that take renewable energy, decentralization, and digitalization as the basis for intelligently linking every aspect of electricity, heat, and transportation.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreements, Live online course, 3-12 August 2021,
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Power China 2021, Guangzhou, China, 16 - 18 August 2021
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Electric Vehicles & the Grid, Live online course, 31 August – 2 September 2021
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MOVE ASIA, Online Event, 7-9 September 2021
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Energy Storage, Live online course, 13-16 September,
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SPARK-Energy Reimagined, Online Event, 14-15 September 2021
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Future of Utilities Summit, London, UK, 15-16 September 2021
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Enlit Asia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 28-30 September 2021
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Solartech Indonesia, Jakarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
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PowerGen & Renewable Energy Indonesia 2020, Jakarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
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EM-Power Europe, Munich, Germany, 6-8 October 2021
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9th Power & Energy Kenya, Nairobi, Keynia, 7-9 October 2021
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IEC 61850 Week 2021, Gothenburg, Sweden, 18-22 October 2021
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EcoEnergy Expo, Kiev, Ukraine, 19-21 October 2021
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Power Engineering for Industry, EcoEnergy, 19-21 October 2021
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Digital Utilities Europe 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 27-28 October 2021
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Enlit Europe, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December 2021
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May2021
MEMBER NEWS
Cyber-Security Concerns - Survey Results 2021
OSGP Alliance presents the outcome of a survey on the top concerns for cyber-attack on the smart grid - released in May 2021.
Cyber-security of the smart grid is an increasing concern for DSOs. Before the smart grid became smart, the cyber-criminals had no means of attacking it. Smarter grids improve automation, monitoring, management and maintenance of the energy grid, to reduce fraud and theft, reduce energy losses, introduce green and locally produced energy and increase sustainability. The technology enabling allows cyber-criminals to damage this critical energy transformation.
Have a look at outcome of the survey the OSGP Alliance has released in a joint cooperation between the OSGP Alliance and its members.
Smart grid drivers in Latin America
Latin America is a massive potential market for the globalisation of smart energy. Projections show the region accounts for over 85 million smart meter deployments by 2029. Countries like Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru are leading the charge and are well on their way to deploying millions of smart meters by that point.
Importantly, it is a region where the benefits of the smart grid can bring about major improvements in efficiency and stability of the energy supply and a fair supply of energy for all. At the same time, there are special challenges that apply to this region.
To make the smart energy transition successful in LATAM, many challenges need to be addressed squarely.
Slovenia’s Idrija installing battery storage to become smart town
Idrija is becoming one of the first urban areas in Slovenia with electricity storage and a public infrastructure management system with flexible consumption. The small town is involved with the national NEDO project with Japanese partners.
The establishment of a battery storage system in a small hydropower power plant in Idrija is carried out by Kolektor Sisteh as part of a three-year smart grid project. New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), its authorized contractor Hitachi and ELES are the main partners. The completion and commissioning of the equipment are scheduled for June, followed by a six-month trial run to make Idrija a smart town.
EPRI Members Testing New Platform to Manage Smart Meter Data
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and several of its member utilities are collaborating with VIA on a project that seeks to uncover how AMI (smart meter) data can be managed better while being made more accessible. The participating utilities include Consolidated Edison (ConEd), American Electric Power (AEP), Électricité de France (EDF) and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).
Recent regulations in the European Union as well as several U.S. states, including California, Illinois and New York, have mandated more open access to AMI data to support an accelerated transition to clean energy. These regulations have raised questions about compliance with existing data privacy and security regulations. VIA’s Trusted Analytics Chain (TAC) platform addresses this issue.
Saudi Electricity installs 10 million smart meters in under 14 months
The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) announced the installation of 10 million smart electricity meters in a record time of under 14 months. This was announced in a recent press statement from the utility.
In a press statement, the utility’s CEO Fahd Bin Hussein Al-Sudairi touted the milestone achieved by his company and how the smart meters programme will help the energy provider to optimise its operations and customer services. Al-Sudairi said the smart meters project is his company’s most important development that has laid the firm’s foundation for future grid modernisation and digital transformation programmes.
Smart meter trial aims to revolutionise independent living for people with disabilities
A ground-breaking University of Edinburgh trial aims to revolutionise independent living for people with disabilities and older people through the use of smart meters. The Smart Meters for Independent Living (SMILE) project will develop and test machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) methods to analyse energy usage data from consenting residents’ smart meters, creating a view of their daily routines and spotting unusual changes in behaviour which could cause concern.
The trial is being led by School of Informatics’ Dr Lynda Webb, in partnership with innovative housing and care specialist Blackwood Homes and Care, and Scottish Innovation Centre, The Data Lab. Blackwood Homes and Care provides a range of accessible housing for people with disabilities and older people. The SMILE trial began in November 2019 and, despite some delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, is currently analysing energy usage data in several homes across Scotland. The results of the trial are expected to be published in autumn 2021.
PRESS RELEASES
NES makes a strategic investment by appointing Mr Sunil Mittal as Director of Business Development for India
San Jose, CA, May 20th, 2021: Networked Energy Services Corporation (NES), a global smart grid solution provider with the industry’s leading Smart Metering & Energy Applications Platform (EAPTM), is proud to announce that Mr Sunil Mittal will be leading NES Business Development in India.
India’s Power Distribution Sector, with market size of more than 275 million consumers, is going through major reforms and energy transitions to bring increased efficiency. For these reforms, the main change drivers are adoption of proven technologies e.g., Smart Metering, Smart Grid, Data Analytics & various Integrated & Innovative solutions utilizing different business models. These technologies can help in reduction of Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) Losses for financial sustainability, improve the grid reliability, achieve better consumer services and, more importantly, smooth the energy transition.
NES, with its proven smart grid solutions and wide International experience of deploying 40 million smart metering points, has strategic intent to grow its business in the Indian Market. NES technology focuses on industry leading communications and security excellence, both of which are critical for the successful introduction of smart grid technologies as part of the smart energy transition. NES is intent on making its technology available for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) rollouts that are picking up pace in India. Projections are showing that over the next 5-10 years, the Indian smart meter deployments will increase by between 100M and 200M units.
Enlit Africa to return in June with focus on 5Ds as industry prepares for energy transition
03 May 2021, Longstanding energy platform gathers all role players to discuss and do deals.
Enlit Africa will kickstart its return on 8 June with a visionary discussion on the “5Ds of the energy transition”, namely: decarbonisation, decentralisation, democratisation, digitalisation and deregulation.
The opening session will feature local and global experts unpacking how the evolution of the power and energy sector globally will also affect local supply and opportunities, focusing on technology, policy and funding. Among the local experts is South African Minister of Mineral and Energy Resources Gwede Mantashe who will be providing the opening address for the event.
Same inspiration, different look
Enlit Africa, taking place from 8 to 10 June, is the new brand for the Cape-town based African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa conference and exhibition, which for more than 20 years has been the flagship power and energy show for the continent’s energy sector. The event had two very successful, interactive digital editions last year and rebranded in November 2020.
UPCOMING EVENTS
14th German-African Energy Forum, Hamburg, Germany, Hybrid event, 1-2 June 2021
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Energy Storage, Online Course, 1-9 June 2021
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Smart Grid and Future Energy Distribution Summit, Virtual Summit, 3-4 June 2021
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Enlit Africa (Formerly African Utility Week & POWERGEN Africa), Digital Event, 8-10 June 2021
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Middle East Energy Dubai, Dubai, UAE, 14-16 June 2021
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Citizens Energy Congress, Virtual, 15-16 June 2021
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ICSG Istanbul 2021, Istanbul, Turkey, 17-18 June 2021
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Global Energy Transition, Online & On-Demand event, 21-25 June 2021
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Power China 2021, Guangzhou, China, 16 - 18 August 2021
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MOVE ASIA, Online Event, 7-9 September 2021
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SPARK, London, UK, 14-15 September 2021
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Enlit Asia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 28-30 September 2021
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Solartech Indonesia, Jakarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
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PowerGen & Renewable Energy Indonesia 2020, Jakarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
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EM-Power Europe, Munich, Germany, 6-8 October 2021
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IEC 61850 Week 2021, Gothenburg, Sweden, 18-22 October 2021
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EcoEnergy Expo, Kiev, Ukraine, 19-21 October 2021
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Power Engineering for Industry, EcoEnergy, 19-21 October 2021
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Digital Utilities Europe 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 27-28 October 2021
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Enlit Europe, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December 2021
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Apr2021
MEMBER NEWS
Take part in our poll on Smart Grid Security
The OSGP Alliance has created a joint poll with one of our members focusing on smart grid security and the main issues of concern. Please enter the poll and we will share the results with you!
Take part in our poll here…
Innovative software applications from NES, making the smart grid smarter
Grid Navigator and Grid Flow allow you to discover your low-voltage network infrastructure from the transformer to the meter sensing quality of supply to the customer and throughout the low-voltage grid.
- Grid Navigator – maps the low voltage grid topology for back-office and distributed applications, giving utilities visibility of the low-voltage network.
- Grid Flow – identifies transformer utilization improvements and meter mis-wirings, enabling utilities to improve how they monitor the supply and reduce losses
These solutions provide visibility of the low-voltage network to help DSOs make the business decisions that will drive return on smart grid investment.
E.ON: Results from the energy transition project DESIGNETZ presented
After more than four years of research and development work, the DESIGNETZ project (part of the SINTEG funding program), funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and led by E.ON, presented its results today. 46 project partners have been working together since the beginning of 2017 in the model regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland to develop scalable solutions that can be used to realize a sustainable, secure and at the same time cost-efficient energy system.
The research results provide important insights into what the energy world of tomorrow may look like. They show that the energy transition in Germany is technically feasible. The core element of the future energy system is an intelligent, well-developed grid infrastructure. It forms the backbone of the energy transition. In addition, flexibility potential and the principle of initially balancing energy generation and consumption locally wherever possible, will play an important role.
Schneider Electric launches Partnerships of the Future, unleashing simplified, open and increasingly digital collaboration
In its quest to strengthen global efforts of designing a more resilient, sustainable electric world, Schneider Electric, the leader of the digital transformation of energy management and automation, is all set to showcase pioneering energy management innovations and partner programs at the Hannover Messe 2021. To address the global urgency of climate change and the 21st century’s most significant challenges of the accelerating energy transition and growing demand for energy, Schneider electric is launching Partnerships of the Future. It is committed to enabling a green recovery whilst supporting the mega trends of mass digitization, greater electrification, along with the increasing role of natively connected digital products and software, in a bid to ensure sustainability and energy efficiency at scale.
Schneider calls this vision an ‘All-Electric, All Digital New Electric World’, powered by abundant clean energy, or Electricity 4.0. As the electric and digital solutions are becoming more complex, Schneider aims to empower its robust network of partners with high-paced, built to demand, supportive and simplified products, complete with native connectivity and making sustainable and electrical safety goals achievable.
Finland's Fortum powers ahead with sale of consumer unit - sources
HELSINKI, April 19 (Reuters) - Finnish utility Fortum is powering ahead with a plan to sell its electricity and gas retail businesses in a deal that could fetch around 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion), three people familiar with the matter said. Fortum said in December it was considering a possible divestment of the consumer unit, which contains the largest electricity retail business in the Nordic region with 2.4 million customers across Finland, Sweden, Norway and Spain.
It has now hired investment bank Citi to help it find a buyer, the people said. According to two sources, it has also sent out first information packages to potential bidders, including Germany’s E.ON and Sweden’s Vattenfall. Smaller local players like Norwegian neighbour Fjordkraft may also be interested in parts of the business, one of the people said, while another person said that financial sponsors are likely to show interest.
MARKET NEWS
1.2 million smart meter rollout gets go ahead in Lithuania
Lithuania’s distribution operator Energijos skirstymo operatorius (ESO) is to proceed with its national smart meter rollout programme. The go ahead follows the completion of a successful proof of concept by ESO, the state electricity and gas company and subsidiary of Ignitis grupe.
The rollout will be delivered by Sagemcom, subject to the conclusion of an approximately €75 million ($90 million) contract, including the supply of 1.2 million smart meters and data aggregation and information technology management solution and its implementation, development and maintenance for a period of 10 years.
Fast-track procedure to be devised for connecting prosumers to grid
Distribution system operator Elektrodistribucija Srbije will draft new rules over the coming months to enable a fast-track procedure for connecting household rooftop solar systems to the grid. This will allow Serbian citizens to become prosumers – producers of electricity for self-consumption, according to a panel titled “Solar for citizens – democratization of energy or how to get your own solar power plant?” which was held as part of the First Big Conference on Solar Energy in Serbia.
The First Big Conference on Solar Energy in Serbia, organized by Balkan Green Energy News, took place in Belgrade on April 14, and was followed online by more than 1,000 people. The possibility for private individuals and businesses to become prosumers is being introduced by a law on renewable energy sources, whose adoption is expected in the coming days.
First Digital Substation in Latin America Fully Operational
Installation ensures stability of the electric network, guarantees safe power supply to vast areas of the country. The Medio Mundo region in Peru is the first Latin American site to have in full operation an Efacec substation with a fully digital automation system. This installation ensures the stability of the electric network and guarantees a safe power supply to vast areas of the country. Located 175 km north of Lima, on the high and very-high voltage lines corridor, the digital substation was delivered to Enel Peru, under an automation, protection and control contract.
The 220/66-kV digital substation project concerns the growing power demand in the Medio Mundo region, allowing to meet the lines voltage contingencies between the substations of Huacho, Supe, and Paramonga Nueva. It will improve the quality of life for more than 100,000 houses in Norte Chico de Lima and contribute to the progress of the region and sector development.
Saudi Electricity installs 10 million smart meters in under 14 months
The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) announced the installation of 10 million smart electricity meters in a record time of under 14 months. This was announced in a recent press statement from the utility. In a press statement, the utility’s CEO Fahd Bin Hussein Al-Sudairi touted the milestone achieved by his company and how the smart meters programme will help the energy provider to optimise its operations and customer services.
Al-Sudairi said the smart meters project is his company’s most important development that has laid the firm’s foundation for future grid modernisation and digital transformation programmes. Despite the operational challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Electricity Company managed to replace 10 million analogue meters across all its regions of service.
Oracle Named Leader in Home Energy Management, Smart Meter Analytics
Oracle helps global utilities manage the full spectrum of their operations, from engaging customers to fortifying and helping decarbonize the grid. In recognition of these efforts, Guidehouse Insights, a market intelligence and advisory firm covering the global energy transformation, recently named Oracle Utilities as the leader in its Home Energy Management and Smart Meter Analytics reports. In both pieces, Oracle Utilities led in both execution and strategy, highlighting the innovation and results global utilities running on Oracle Cloud are receiving.
For the fourth time, Oracle Utilities Opower topped the leaderboard in the Guidehouse Insights Leaderboard: Home Energy Management Providers report. Oracle Utilities Opower maintained its leadership position by consistently delivering strong results for utility customers and new innovations across the Opower platform, including new services for electric vehicle and appliance detection, behavioral load shaping, and distributed energy resource (DER) engagement. More than 175 utilities around the globe have used Opower to meet their aggressive customer engagement and decarbonization goals.
Oman to roll out 1.2 million smart meters in five years
Oman is undertaking a 1.2 million smart meter rollout nationwide over the next five years in line with the Oman Vision 2040 for social-economic development. The initiative is considered a leading national project in terms of digital transformation, with the smart meters set to replace mechanical meters, a statement reads.
“The objectives of Oman Vision 2040 are focused on keeping pace with global developments and employing technology in delivering electricity-related services effectively and efficiently that will support the development of smart, sustainable cities with advanced basic services,” Hilal bin Mohammed al-Ghaithi, Director General of Subscriber Affairs at the Public Services Regulatory Authority, said in the statement.
Ed’s note: Our ‘made in Europe’ smart meter epos
The smart meter rollouts in Europe resemble in a way the epic poems of the ancient past. Like the Odyssey, this pan-European rollout is a decade (or rather more) in the making, and like the Iliad, utilities have to fight their way through many different fronts to ‘conquer’. It is definitely not an easy, but a rather complex task.
About a month ago, the UK celebrated the 10 millionth smart meter installation on one network alone. It was indeed a milestone not only for the UK but for Europe in general. Why? “Because smart meters represent an important asset for the smart grid,” says Francisco Puente, Director at Escan Energy Consulting. They provide knowledge to the consumer so she can save energy and they provide data to the utilities, that is useful for maintenance and the smooth operation of the grid, to say the least.
PRESS RELEASES
Apator and Griffin Group Energy join forces, to develop smart meter in OSGP technology
16 Apr 2021
Polish suppliers of modern technologies for power industry, Apator and Griffin Group Energy signed agreement on cooperation in the scope of elaboration, implementation to manufacturing and supply to domestic and European market of the Polish smart meter of new generation operating in OSGP technology.
The aim of the cooperation of Polish suppliers of technologies for power industry is to build the business synergy which will allow to create the modern solution for domestic DSO facing the mass exchange of the traditional meters into smart ones. New Energy Law predicts that till the end of 2028 meters with remote reading of energy consumption will be installed in at least 80% of final consumers in Poland, including at least 80% of households. According to the estimates of distribution network operators, currently around 1.9 million end customers have smart meters installed. The target total number of end customers is estimated at around 16.3 million. So there are about 14.4 million of the meters to be replaced.
AEM has selected OSGP technology for developing their new line of smart meters
26 Apr 2021
From its foundation until today, AEM has been recognized both in the territory of Romania and abroad as one of the leading manufacturers and a global provider of electricity and gas meters.
In order to keep up with the demands of DSO’s in the local and wider European markets, AEM has chosen the Open Smart Grid Protocol (OSGP) technology for its proven security, reliablility and interoperability. This will help AEM reach their goal to produce high quality electricity meters, adjusted to the current expectations of the DSO’s, and based on various communication technologies. “I believe OSGP offers best performance, security and capabilities to support the DSO’s in managing the energy transition”, according Tiberiu Hidi, CEO AEM.
Whether it’s about products, solutions or services, AEM has been generating new ideas and concepts for more than 40 years. It has been four decades since tradition met innovation, four decades since the first meter came off the production line, which validates the maturity of AEM, a company located in the western part of Romania. The OSGP technology will allow AEM to help utilities make the grid more reliable, robust and efficient, meeting the high reliability standards that utilities currently require.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Middle East Energy, Online Event, 17May – 9 June 2021
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Electricity Economics in Changing Electricity Markets, Online Course, 18-21 May 2021
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14th Energy Storage World Forum, Online Event, 19-20 May 2021
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Trade Show Electricity, Warsaw, Poland, 19-21 May 2021
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Smart Cities Moscow, Moscow, Russia, 25-26 May 2021
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Mexico Assembly, Online Event, 26-27 May 2021
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14th German-African Energy Forum, Hamburg, Germany, Hybrid event, 1-2 June 2021
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Energy Storage, Online Course, 1-9 June 2021
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Smart Grid and Future Energy Distribution Summit, Virtual Summit, 3-4 June 2021
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Enlit Africa (Formerly African Utility Week & POWERGEN Africa), Digital Event, 8-10 June 2021
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Middle East Energy Dubai, Dubai, UAE, 14-16 June 2021
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Citizens Energy Congress, Virtual, 15-16 June 2021
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ICSG Istanbul 2021, Istanbul, Turkey, 17-18 June 2021
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Global Energy Transition, Online & On-Demand event, 21-25 June 2021
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SPARK, London, UK, 22-23 June 2021
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Power China 2021, Guangzhou, China, 16 - 18 August 2021
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Enlit Asia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 28-30 September 2021
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Solartech Indonesia, Jakarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
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PowerGen & Renewable Energy Indonesia 2020, Jakarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
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EM-Power Europe, Munich, Germany, 6-8 October 2021
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EcoEnergy Expo, Kiev, Ukraine, 19-21 October 2021
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Power Engineering for Industry, EcoEnergy, 19-21 October 2021
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Digital Utilities Europe 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 27-28 October 2021
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Enlit Europe, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December 2021
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Mar2021
MEMBER NEWS
Why Use Smart Meters – Survey Results
In March 2021 NES completed a very interesting poll, asking why energy providers use smart meters.
The results were:
- LoadConservation,15%
- Loss Reduction, 38%
- Remote Monitoring, 42%
- Other, 4%.
This clearly shows the drivers for smart meter deployments converging on energy efficiency and management of the smart grid.
Systemic efficiency and decarbonisation of global cities
The transition to net-zero cities starts with collaboration. This is the key message highlighted by energy companies the Enel Group and Schneider Electric, and the World Economic Forum, in a new whitepaper and the first deliverable of the Net-Zero Carbon Cities – Systemic Efficiency Initiative. By Nicholas Nhede. Through the initiative, Schneider Electric and the Enel Group are working with the community to accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon emissions in 100 cities by 2030.
The whitepaper "Net-Zero Carbon Cities: An integrated approach" explains the benefits of decarbonising cities and provides and recommends the adoption of a global framework or an integrated energy approach, defined as “systemic efficiency”, as a solution to the current environmental, economic, health and social crises.
Duke Energy partners with five other utilities to push for more electric vehicle charging for customers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Six major utilities today announced a plan to ensure electric vehicle (EV) drivers have access to a seamless network of charging stations connecting major highways in the South, Midwest, Gulf and Central Plains regions. The Electric Highway Coalition – made up of Duke Energy, American Electric Power, Dominion Energy, Entergy Corporation, Southern Co., and the Tennessee Valley Authority – will enable EV drivers seamless travel across a broad portion of the country through a network of DC fast chargers.
“The path to cleaner transportation is a robust charging infrastructure along the nation’s major highways,” said Lang Reynolds, director of Electrification Strategy for Duke Energy. “Range anxiety is a barrier to more EV adoption. This coalition can erase those obstacles and help deliver the benefits of EV ownership to consumers.”
Thüga offers regional electricity tariff
The municipal utility network Thüga has launched a regional electricity tariff for the district of Constance via its sales subsidiary. The offer is fed by a wind farm and a solar plant in the region and is available immediately, Thüga announced.
Since the electricity comes from plants within a radius of 50 kilometres, the requirements for certification according to the Regional Verification Register of the Federal Environment Agency are met. In future, similar tariffs will also be available in other regions, Thüga Energie announced.
Webinar 30 Mar: Knock Knock your Smart Meter is Calling with Escan Energy, TAURON Dystrybucja S.A., Italgas and others
Inspired by the EU Commission’s Strategy for Data, Enlit Europe’s brand new Data Hub Series focuses on the need to put people first in developing technology. As Data is at the core of the Digital Transformation that the Energy Sector is undergoing for the past few years, this hub series aims at promoting episodes focused on data flow and exchange, data-driven innovation, data security and the technologies that enable all that, but with a twist: The consumer is at the core of all strategies and all data related projects we focus on. As part of the Data Hub Series, Enlit Europe Online is organising a series of Webinars or Episodes as we prefer to call them.
Your Smart Meter is Calling: This episode is going to focus on the innovations that regard smart meters. Topics like smart metering security, ethics, data management, legal issues and sustainability will be discussed. Key speakers will introduce not only the latest concerns but also the possibilities and the opportunities they can bring to today’s society.
E.ON’s Romanian electricity distribution subsidiary to invest EUR 223 mln in 2020-2023
Delgaz Grid, part of the E.ON Romania Group, has invested over RON 2.9 billion (EUR 682 million) since 2005 in modernizing the electricity distribution system in the six counties where it operates (Bacau, Botosani, Iasi, Neamt, Suceava, and Vaslui). The company pledged to continue investing substantial amounts. In 2020-2023, the company's investment budget is EUR 225 mln.
Delgaz Grid will focus on further implementing SCADA and automation of the distribution system, SMART metering, modernizing overhead networks and substations, transformer replacements, and connecting new consumers to the grid. Smart metering is a key target for the company.
MARKET NEWS
Digital Platform Regulations for Electric Utilities: Part 1
In Part 1 of this two-part series, the author analyzes the new competitive landscape of electricity-related services through the lens of digital platform regulation.
New smart meter digital platforms provide fertile ground for energy innovation. But with an opportunity for electric utilities to hinder competition and impede their distributed energy competitors, regulatory oversight is needed. In Part 1 of this two-part series, the author analyzes the new competitive landscape of electricity-related services through the lens of digital platform regulation. Part 2 will discuss the lessons learned from the tech world and recommendations for electric utility regulators.
Ed’s note: Our ‘made in Europe’ smart meter epos
The smart meter rollouts in Europe resemble in a way the epic poems of the ancient past. Like the Odyssey, this pan-European rollout is a decade (or rather more) in the making, and like the Iliad, utilities have to fight their way through many different fronts to ‘conquer’. It is definitely not an easy, but a rather complex task.
About a month ago, the UK celebrated the 10 millionth smart meter installation on one network alone. It was indeed a milestone not only for the UK but for Europe in general. Why? “Because smart meters represent an important asset for the smart grid,” says Francisco Puente, Director at Escan Energy Consulting. They provide knowledge to the consumer so she can save energy and they provide data to the utilities, that is useful for maintenance and the smooth operation of the grid, to say the least.
Belgian firm granted €425m EU bank loan for smart meters rollout
Fluvius, a co-operative company owned by 11 inter-municipal companies, has set a target to install smart meters at 80% of its clients’ sites by the end of 2024
The European Investment Bank has agreed a loan worth up to €425 million (£367m) to support Belgian network operator Fluvius’ rollout of smart meters. A first tranche of €200 million (£173m) has been signed, with Fluvius using it to rollout smart meters in Flemish households and businesses in 300 cities and municipalities as well as connect new users to the network.
Airbus Imagery Supports IBM Efforts to Provide Vegetation Insights for Grid Reliability
Utilities can now better understand the state of vegetation near their power lines. Airbus now provides very high-resolution satellite imagery to The Weather Company, an IBM Business. IBM uses it to help utility and energy companies better understand the state of vegetation near utility lines, in an effort to help them reduce the risks of electrical disruptions and improve overall grid reliability. A major challenge to the grid, vegetation is the leading driver of power outages according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
High-resolution 50cm satellite imagery from Airbus will be fed into the IBM Vegetation Management Platform, part of the IBM Weather Operations Center. This advanced technology quickly crunches enormous amounts of geospatial (satellite, drone, aerial and LIDAR), IoT sensor and weather data to provide a view over time to help understand the state of vegetation across utility service territories.
Climate Change: Is Digital The Silver-Bullet We’re Looking For To Meet Our Climate Commitments?
Over the last 12 months we have achieved some amazing things, in timeframes no one could have dreamt possible. Multiple vaccines have been successfully developed, trialled, approved and mass produced in one year, not the decade it usually takes. Industry after industry has adapted to 100% remote ways of working in months instead of the five to seven years it might have taken ordinarily. Businesses have completely reconfigured and adapted supply chains to ensure that products from PPE to toilet roll to fresh food could be sourced, produced and shipped in the quantities required in spite of factory shutdowns and border closures.
Digital technology has been pivotal to enabling every one of these successes in the dramatically accelerated timeframe in which they were achieved. As we turn our attention to arguably the biggest challenge we collectively face, global warming, I believe digital is the silver-bullet we are looking for. Why is digital the key to tackling climate change?
Electricity Grid Cybersecurity: DOE Needs to Ensure Its Plans Fully Address Risks to Distribution Systems
The U.S. electricity grid's distribution systems—the parts of the grid that carry electricity to consumers—are becoming more vulnerable to cyberattacks, in part because of the introduction of and reliance on monitoring and control technologies. However, the scale of potential impacts from such attacks is not well understood.
The Department of Energy is working on the energy sector portion of the national cybersecurity strategy, but it has focused its efforts more on risks facing the grid's generation and transmission systems. We recommended more fully addressing risks to distribution systems.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mastering Renewable Power, Online Course, 19-27 April 2021
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Enlit Asia – Demand Side & Customer Management, Online Event, 22 April 2021
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SMARTGREENS 2021, Prague, Czech Republic, 28-30 April 2021
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Fundamentals of IEC 61850 Global 2021, Stockholm, Sweden, 18-20 May
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Electricity Economics in Changing Electricity Markets, Online Course, 18-21 May 2021
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Trade Show ELECTRICITY, Warsaw, Poland, 19-21 May 2021
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Energy Storage, Online Course, 1-9 June 2021
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Smart Grid and Future Energy Distribution Summit, Virtual Summit, 3-4 June 2021
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ICSG Istanbul 2021, Istanbul, Turkey, 4-5 June 2021
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Enlit Africa (Formerly African Utility Week & POWERGEN Africa), Digital Event, 8-10 June 2021
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Middle East Energy Dubai, Dubai, UAE, 14-16 June 2021
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SPARK, London, UK, 22-23 June 2021
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EM-Power Europe, Munich, Germany, 21-23 July 2021
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Power China 2021, Guangzhou, China, 16 - 18 August 2021
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Enlit Asia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 28-30 September 2021
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PowerGen & Renewable Energy Indonesia 2020, Jarkarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
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EcoEnergy Expo, Kiev, Ukraine, 19-21 October 2021
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Power Engineering for Industry, EcoEnergy, 19-21 October 2021
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Digital Utilities Europe 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 27-28 October 2021
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Enlit Europe, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December 2021
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Feb2021
MEMBER NEWS
Whitepaper: What is the best smart metering head-end system architecture?
Smart metering systems should be based on a future proof architecture that is able to adopt new technologies and protocols, but even more importantly, integrate with other utility applications including electric vehicle charging, energy storage, load control, photovoltaics, consumer generation, SCADA, etc.
Every utility has or will eventually have a smart metering system, which will most likely include various meter generations and technologies. This whitepaper assesses the best way to manage smart metering systems with a focus on the head-end system (HES) and its integration into the smart meter value chain.
Poland AMIplus Smart City Wrocław Project
The Tauron smart-meter deployment offers a successful model for other power delivery companies worldwide. In 2014, Poland's utility industry leader Tauron Dystrybucja S.A. created a vision that included implementing a modern, user-friendly electricity smart metering and head-end system (HES), called AMIplus. AMIplus would be a smart metering system allowing automatic processing, transmission, and management of measurement data, as well as two-way communication between electricity meters and distributors — all while giving customers access to current information on electricity consumption.
Tauron Distribution, part of the Tauron Group and the second largest electricity supplier in Poland, commenced the rollout of its AMIplus Smart City Wroclaw project in 2015 in the City of Wroclaw, Poland. The initial large-scale rollout of about 360,000 smart meters was completed in four years (2015 to 2018). Subsequently, Tauron Distribution expanded the system, which now includes more than 400,000 fully interoperable and interchangeable smart meters.
Enel launches 300,000 smart meter rollout in São Paulo
Enel Distribuição São Paulo is piloting the manufacture and installation of 300,000 smart meters in the São Paulo metropolitan region. The first phase of the project will take place in the Pirituba and Perus neighbourhoods in the northwest of the city, with 150,000 devices to be connected in residences and small industrial and business premises by September 2021. The project is being undertaken within the Brazilian electricity regulatory agency Aneel’s research and development programme with funding of R$121 million (US$22.1 million).
The aim is to support the development of a new local supply chain in Brazil. The smart meters are being produced locally in São Paulo, in plants in Sorocaba and in Vargem Grande Paulista. This is Enel’s first smart meter production in Latin America and incorporates the company’s technology, which has been operating in the market for 20 years.
Going digital to increase security and revenue
If revenue collection from electricity sales continues to fall in light of the ongoing pandemic, the impact could be devastating. This is largely because some municipalities in South Africa generate as much as 45% of their revenue from electricity sales. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, revenue collection was already dismally low – a 2019 Municipal Report by the Auditor-General suggests that 60% of revenue reflected on the books of municipalities will never be paid. Yet, as the financial realities of life in a (post-)pandemic world start making themselves felt, power theft andpayment delinquency are increasing.
Viven Perumal, Marketing Director at Conlog, says: “We have spent a lot of time getting insight from our customers. One particular issue is that billing and cash collection cycles are getting longer. We knew that many of our customers had similar challenges and we have tried to address a number of these through a single offering. We believe that scale will ensure more clients benefit from our solutions.” Prepaid meters have long been a gateway to revenue collection and management for utilities. Anything that can impact the accuracy of a meter or a subsequent bill will compromise revenue collection and protection in one way or another – these include errors in billing, inaccurate meter readings or outright tampering and theft. As a cluster of considerations, it is vital to therefore ensure that the meter is as accurate, robust and reliable as possible; that it remains 100% functional; that vending is facilitated seamlessly; and that revenue management and protection operate in tandem.
MARKET NEWS
Leading electricity distribution operators launch global initiative to boost the energy transition
Global electricity distribution operators (DSOs) gathered on 26-27 January 2021 in the first sectoral initiative focused on their contribution to worldwide decarbonisation efforts. The roles and responsibilities of DSOs across the globe are rapidly evolving to deliver, and even accelerate, the energy transition. Against this backdrop, the key aspects of a successful transformation are the uptake of digital solutions, the deployment of resilient infrastructure and the re-training of personnel, as well as the implementation of an ambitious regulatory environment.
In 2020, distribution system operators consolidated their position, ensuring a reliable and stable electricity supply, as well as quality services for their consumers across both hemispheres. As the electrification process intensifies, the world of DSOs becomes more complex. There is an increasing need to maintain the security of supply and reliability of electricity, whilst integrating massive shares of distributed energy sources, connecting grid-edge technologies and actively engaging with consumers. This will require an increase in investments and new strategies.
ETSI blockchain group releases first Reports, targeting industry and governmental bodies
The ETSI Industry Specification Group on Permissioned Distributed Ledger (ISG PDL) has recently released a number of Reports to support industry and government institutions needs for what is commonly known as blockchain. These Reports cover data record compliance to regulation, application scenarios and smart contracts.
“Most ledgers in ICT have been centralized so far, but the recent approaches based on distributed ledgers provide higher openness and better resiliency”, says Diego Lopez, Chair of ETSI ISG PDL. “Specifications on detailed aspects of PDL are expected to follow soon; they will enable industries to develop interoperable solutions for permissioned distributed ledgers”, adds Raymond Forbes, Vice Chair of ETSI ISG PDL.
Smart meter penetration reaches 68% in North America: Berg Insight
The penetration of smart electricity meters in North America reached 68 percent in 2020, according to new a research report from the analyst firm Berg Insight. The installed base of smart electricity meters will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.7 percent during 2019–2025 to reach a total of 153.8 million units at the end of the forecast period.
Over the next five years, the penetration of smart meters in the US will grow to reach a level of 84 percent while the respective figure for the more advanced Canadian market will reach 92 percent. “Refreshment rounds for the early adopters have now gradually begun and will grow their share of annual shipment volumes from around 10 percent in 2020 to around 70 percent in 2025,” said Levi Ostling, smart metering analyst, Berg Insight.
Emerging market countries will deploy 148 million smart meters over the next five years
A new report released by research firm Northeast Group states that emerging market countries will deploy 148 million smart electricity meters over the next five years. In addition to the advanced meters, these countries are expected to invest $91.4 billion in smart grid infrastructure including grid automation and battery storage. Northeast Group’s 10th edition of the Emerging Markets Smart Grid: Outlook 2021 study has found that major projects are already underway or will begin in 2021 in over half of the 50 countries analysed.
Some 43.6 million smart meters were installed across emerging market countries (156.9 million if you include the massive market of China) at the end of 2020. The number of smart meters installed is expected to grow to 191.6 million over the next five years (607.7 million including China). Though the specific drivers vary by region and country, there is now a growing consensus around smart metering and meaningful legislation backing up deployments in most of the largest countries.
Seeking a Better Way to Pinpoint the Value of Demand Response in California
State agencies say data from August grid emergencies points to a performance failure. Demand response providers say the state’s market structures undercount their value. Are demand-response providers shortchanging California utilities and customers by claiming payments for services they can’t deliver, leaving the state subject to future grid instability? Or are the state’s market rules and regulations shortchanging demand-response companies and customers, undermining the most cost-effective tool for future grid reliability?
This dispute between state energy regulators and the demand-response industry has become a flashpoint in California’s efforts to prevent a repeat of the grid emergencies and rolling blackouts of August 2020 in the coming summer. And it’s not clear that the data available can definitively prove which point of view is the correct one — unless, perhaps, more sophisticated methods can provide an answer.
Sony CSL launches open-source microgrid project to automate P2P power distribution
Sony CSL to work with The Linux Foundation’s LF Energy initiative on ‘Hyphae’ microgrid project. Sony Computer Science Laboratories has launched an open-source project intended to make microgrids more resilient using peer-to-peer power distribution. Called Hyphae, Sony CSL is running the initiative with LF Energy, an open-source organization hosted within The Linux Foundation. It is folding in its existing microgrid management software, called Autonomous Power Interchange System (APIS), which is designed to distribute locally generated renewable power over a DC grid. Part of the aim of the open-source project is to extend this to work with AC grids.
While microgrids are of interest in the data center sector, which is increasingly resorting to renewable power projects to mitigate the sustainability impact of data centers, they could also have a major impact in providing reliable power in developing countries, and improving the resilience of power supply in all kinds of situations and markets.
PRESS RELEASE
Energy Game-Changers Wanted: Apply for the International Innovation Prizes for the New Energy World
Pforzheim, January 14, 2021: The energy industry’s most prestigious international innovation prizes shine a spotlight on pioneering solutions and projects for the new energy world. Market leaders, SMEs, start-ups, and plant and system owners are invited to apply for The smarter E AWARD, the Intersolar AWARD and the ees AWARD by March 31, 2021.
The industry’s best will take center stage at The smarter E Europe on July 21, 2021 when they will be honored for innovations that are shaping an intelligent and sustainable energy supply. The smarter E Europe, the continent’s largest platform for the energy industry, brings together four exhibitions and conferences where attendees can discover trends surrounding cross sector, intelligently connected concepts and solutions for the efficient generation, storage, distribution and use of renewable energy. Related to these topics, the innovation prizes The smarter E AWARD, the Intersolar AWARD and the ees AWARD are presented. They showcase particularly groundbreaking solutions and projects, giving international visibility to the winners.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Africa Energy Indaba, Cape Town, South Africa, 1-5 March 2021
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EPC Contracts for Energy Industry, Online Course, 2-10 March 2021
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MOVE EV, Live, Online, 10 March 2021
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Mastering Solar Power, Online Course, 19-31 March 2021
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NextGen SCADA Global 2021, Virtual Conference, 24-25 March 2021
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Energy Transition and Decarbonisation Forum, Virtual Summit, 25-26 March 2021
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Smart Grid and Future Energy Distribution Summit, Virtual Summit, 15-16 April 2021
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Mastering Renewable Power, Online Course, 19-27 April 2021
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Enlit Asia – Demand Side & Customer Management, Online Event, 22 April 2021
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SMARTGREENS 2021, Prague, Czech Republic, 28-30 April 2021
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Fundamentals of IEC 61850 Global 2021, Stockholm, Sweden, 18-20 May
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Electricity Economics in Changing Electricity Markets, Online Course, 18-21 May 2021
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Trade Show ELECTRICITY, Warsaw, Poland, 19-21 May 2021
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Energy Storage, Online Course, 1-9 June 2021
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ICSG Istanbul 2021, Istanbul, Turkey, 4-5 June 2021
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Middle East Energy Dubai, Dubai, UAE, 14-16 June 2021
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SPARK, London, UK, 22-23 June 2021
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EM-Power Europe, Munich, Germany, 21-23 July 2021
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Power China 2021, Guangzhou, China, 16 - 18 August 2021
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Enlit Asia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 28-30 September 2021
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PowerGen & Renewable Energy Indonesia 2020, Jarkarta Indonesia, 30 September – 2 October 2021
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EcoEnergy Expo, Kiev, Ukraine, 19-21 October 2021
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Power Engineering for Industry, EcoEnergy, 19-21 October 2021
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Digital Utilities Europe 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 27-28 October 2021
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Enlit Europe, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December 2021
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Jan2021
MEMBER NEWS
Schneider Electric's Project with E.ON Wins enerTIC Award for Green and Digital Smart Grid Technology
Schneider Electric, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has been honored by the 8th edition of the enerTIC awards. Its project for E.ON, which sought to achieve a more sustainable energy distribution network without greenhouse gases, has been awarded in the “Smart Grid” category. E.ON, Sweden's largest electricity distributor, is firmly committed to sustainability. Their goal of becoming a fossil fuel-free company by 2025 and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions stands out. To help achieve their objectives, E.ON launched a pilot project in the Swedish city of Norrköping that consisted of replacing its SF6 medium-voltage switchgear with SF6-free medium-voltage switchgear using innovative Shunt Vacuum Interruption (SVI)TM technology from Schneider Electric.
SF6 is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential much greater than CO2. Widely used in the electricity sector for high and medium voltage equipment, current and future regulations prompt the adoption of alternatives that can reduce environmental impact. SF6-free technologies are now available and have characteristics and dimensions similar to those of traditional SF6-based switchgear available on the market. Schneider Electric's new green and digital technology is featured in AirPacT, a load break switch, and SM AirSeT, a range of medium voltage switchgear – both of which use innovative vacuum interruption and pure air insulation.
Headend System (HES) Integration 2021
Many utilites, system integrators and consultants have debated what is the best way to manage smart metering systems. Should one utilize multiple headend systems or one universal headend? Or is there a better way to manage legacy, current, and future smart metering and headend systems? The quick answer is yes there is a better way, using a future proof, multiple headend CIM (common interface model) based architecture.
If you wish to receive the whitepaper click here
Duke Energy Florida, key consumer groups reach sweeping agreement for building a smarter energy grid
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Duke Energy Florida (DEF), consumer representatives and business groups have reached a sweeping agreement that will advance the clean energy vision for the state, introduce innovative programs for customers, retire coal plants faster and bring additional certainty to rates through 2024. The agreement, filed on Jan. 14, 2021, is subject to approval by the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC).
It includes investments to modernize the electric grid and improve reliability, offers new electric vehicle charging station programs, and supports pilot programs for innovative technology such as microgrids and floating solar pilot projects. The agreement also provides a new optional residential “Time-of-Use” rate, reduces hurricane cost recovery impacts to customers, removes residential credit card fees for bill payments and includes accelerated retirement dates for DEF’s last two coal units eight years ahead of schedule, from 2042 to 2034, in support of the company’s carbon reduction goals.
Alliander innovation competition to increase electricity demand during peak production of solar panels
Network company Alliander, to which grid manager Alliander belongs, has launched an innovation competition to find solutions to increase the demand for electricity during the peak production of solar panels. Because solar panels generate more power at sunny times than is consumed, the network company says bottlenecks occur on the electricity grid. The company with the egg of Columbus for this problem awaits a reward of 30,000 euros.
Alliander has published the so-called 'innovation challenge' on the platform Starthubs on which thousands of start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs contribute ideas on business challenges. 'This challenge is an opportunity for bright minds to think along with one of the biggest societal challenges of the moment: the energy transition,' said the network company. Alliander is asking the thousands of entrepreneurs affiliated with Starthubs for solutions to shift the electricity demand of major electricity consumers such as greenhouse growers, data centers, farmers in rural areas and factories to, or increase it during, the hours when the sun is shining brightly. If the additional supply of solar power can be locally offset against the demand for power then the electricity grid can handle the large amounts of solar power generated much better.
Caruna ready to net small-scale production
The new amendment to the Government Decree allows hourly netting of small-scale production and consumption. This means that Caruna will automatically compensate for production that is not used in a one-hour period in the small-scale producer's distribution invoice. All small-scale producers of electricity are transferred to automatic netting as of 1 January 2021, without any action required on the customer's part.
Netting means more money in the small-scale producer's pocket. The electric meters of small-scale producers in Caruna's network areas have from the start balanced small-scale production and consumption of electricity momentarily between phases. In the future, the position of small producers of electricity will be further enhanced as Caruna will net small-scale production and consumption on an hourly basis.
Electrica has successfully completed the merger process of three electricity distribution companies within the Group
Starting with January 1, 2021, the new company becomes Distribuţie Energie Electrică Romania SA (DEER). DEER becomes the most important national electricity distribution operator, with a coverage of 40.7% of Romania territory.
Electrica announces the successful completion of the merger by absorption of the three electricity distribution companies within the Group, which, starting with 1 January 2021, became Distributie Energie ElectricăRomania S.A. (DEER).The merger by absorption of the electricity distribution companies within the Electrica Group was approved in principle by the Board of Directors of Electrica S.A. in the meeting dated 27 May 2020, the decision being an important step in the implementation plan of the Group Strategy for the period 2019-2023.
MARKET NEWS
Making power grids fit for the transition will create 500,000 jobs
Distribution grids are the backbone of the digital and energy transition, as they ensure a continuous and reliable electricity flow, integrate the majority of renewable energy sources and enable the creation of new services for consumers. But to be fit-for-purpose in an increasingly decarbonised, decentralised and digitalised power system, there is an urgent need to ramp up investments in Europe’s distribution grids.
European distribution grids will need investments of €375-425 billion until 2030. That is the main conclusion of a landmark study conducted by the industry bodies Eurelectric and E.DSO. A first of its kind, the study which was carried out by Monitor Deloitte on the basis of detailed empirical data from 10 European countries, reveals a need to ramp up grid investments by 50-70% in the 2020s compared to the previous decade. At the same time, it highlights a range of remarkable societal benefits that come with timely modernisation of the continent’s electric infrastructure.
Reinventing grid management for a new age
How the future-proof grid will be smart, interconnected and based on a mix of different technologies for generation, transmission and distribution, delivery and control.
In the sixth interview of our Powering Tomorrow series, climate, energy and environment journalist Sonja van Renssen, spoke to our experts about: Rethinking grid stability, The technologies that grid operators can turn to to manage evermore complex networks, The role of power electronics, Advanced asset management and finding the optimal balance between risk, performance and cost
Smart meters for Kenyan businesses to improve customer service
Kenya Power is rolling out a smart meter project targeting 55,000 small and medium enterprises across the country to enhance customer satisfaction. The $11,34 million (Kshs1,25 billion) World Bank-funded project is part of the Kenya Electricity Modernisation Project. It is slated to be completed by 30 June 2021.
The smart meters are part of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) that facilitates two-way communication between the company and the customer. In case of any power outage, the smart meters are able to communicate directly with the company’s National Contact Centre which facilitates immediate resolution and enhances the efficiency as the Kenya Power teams are alerted promptly. Additionally, the smart meter also sends a notification to the customer via SMS.
PSE&G gets 2.3 million smart meters approval
New Jersey utility Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) has received investment approval of $700 million in smart meters over the next four years. The approval from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities will enable PSE&G to provide its 2.3 million electricity customers with smart meters – the largest installation of smart meter technology in the state.
Smart meters form the foundation of PSE&G’s Energy Cloud initiative to create an integrated, real-time communications network between the company and its customers. Benefits envisaged include near real-time outage detection and restoration crew dispatch, automatic near real-time meter reading and support for customers through channels such as smart home assistants to manage their energy use and spend.
New Fact Sheets Help Consumers Understand the Benefits of the Smart Grid
The smart grid is reducing carbon emissions, preventing outages and enabling clean energy technologies, among other important consumer benefits ATLANTA, Jan. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC) today released a new series of fact sheets to help consumers understand the many benefits of the smart grid and the ways that they can engage in programs, services and electric rate plans that are enabled through smart grid technologies. Over the last decade, the smart grid has helped create a new landscape for consumer engagement in energy. SECC's Smart Grid 2.0 fact sheets focus on three key areas of this energy transformation – energy data, electricity pricing options and consumer benefits – and explain in clear language what they mean for the average American consumer.
Compared to just a decade ago, today's energy consumers have access to more electric rate plans, utility programs and services, and data-driven insights than ever before. The "Exploring Your Power Options" fact sheet explains in an easy-to-understand manner what goes into electricity pricing and provides examples to help consumers understand time-of-use rates, peak-time incentives and more.
Power grids: the value of regular health checks
Since offering free quarterly power grid health checks to its customers, Swiss grid management company Depsys says that 50% have discovered previously unknown critical points in their networks. We spoke to the firm to find out what’s emerging from the data and how analytics can help operators become more active players in the energy transition. New climate mitigation policies are expected to accelerate the energy transition over the next decade, with more low carbon, intermittent and decentralised energy sources coming onto the grid. The effect for distribution system operators (DSO), which manage energy flows across the power generation ecosystem, is to make managing the infrastructure more challenging and complex.
Depsys, which refers to itself as ‘a cleantech company that empowers distribution grid managers to evolve their operations through digital technology’ hopes to support its customers in their increasingly evolving role. To do so, earlier in the year, it extended its quarterly grid Health Check reports from its GridEye grid monitoring and analytics solution to its customer base for free. Company CCO Anja Langer Jacquin and Antony Pinto, head of technical, discuss the technology and its findings.
‘Not fit for purpose’: Europe’s distribution grids ‘need up to €425bn of investment to enable energy transition’
Networks must be upgraded to handle expected wind, solar and green hydrogen volumes, as well as increased amount of EVs and heat pumps, say Eurelectric and E.DSO. Between €375bn and €425bn ($456bn-516bn) will need to be invested in Europe’s distribution grids between now and 2030 to ensure they can handle increasing volumes of variable renewable energy and green hydrogen production, as well as the expected electrification of heating and transport, according to a new study.
These figures represent a 50-70% increase on annual distribution-grid investment in the 2010s. However, the societal benefits of smarter, more powerful distribution grids will outweigh the economic impacts, according to electricity industry body Eurelectric, which produced the report in conjunction with E.DSO (European Distribution System Operators) and strategy consultant Monitor Deloitte.
PRESS RELEASES
Networked Energy Services Expands Commitment to Latin America
Industry veterans recently joined NES to further expand its smart grid and smart metering customer base in LATAM
San Jose, CA, January 26, 2021: Networked Energy Services Corporation (NES), a global smart grid solution provider with the industry’s leading Energy Applications Platform (EAPTM), is proud to announce its expansion and continued focus related to the smart metering market in Latin America (LATAM). NES has strategic alliances with several partners in the region, and is looking to leverage the experience of its new Sales Executives and expand NES’ partner network within the region.
NES plans to expand its smart grid and smart metering solutions in LATAM, where it already has several existing smart metering projects and pilots through its strong local and regional partners and alliances, including a multi-year smart metering deployment in Puerto Rico. The project in Puerto Rico utilizes the NES Patagonia Energy Applications Platform, which provides >99.8% daily availability of metering and other data. In addition, the solution offers advanced functionality including capabilities to securely collect essential data on billing and load profiles, identify and report on outages and restorations in near real time, provide critical power quality data about the distribution network, identify non-technical losses, incorporate distributed generation, and enable remote disconnection and reconnection of electricity service for customers.
Middle East Energy 2021: A hybrid event to power the global energy industry
Middle East Energy (MEE) has evolved for its 46th edition into an exciting hybrid format to provide a digital and live platform for the industry to acquire knowledge, stay connected and ensure business continuity
Dubai, UAE – January 2021: The 46th edition of Middle East Energy (formerly Middle East Electricity) has evolved into an exciting hybrid format for 2021, providing an interactive digital and live platform for professionals to engage with industry leaders and ensure business continuity during an era of unprecedented transformation for the energy sector.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Enlit Asia – Grid Modernisation, Online event, 23 February 2021
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Advanced Metering Infrastructure 2021, Virtual Conference, 24 February 2021
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Africa Energy Indaba, Cape Town, South Africa, 2-3 March 2021
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MOVE EV, Live, Online, 10 March 2021
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NextGen SCADA Global 2021, Virtual Conference, 24-25 March 2021
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PowerGen & Renewable Energy Indonesia 2020, Jarkarta Indonesia, 30 March – 1 April 2021
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SMARTGREENS 2021, Prague, Czech Republic, 28-30 April 2021
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Digital Utilities Europe 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 12-13 May 2021
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Fundamentals of IEC 61850 Global 2021, Stockholm, Sweden, 18-20 May
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Trade Show ELECTRICITY, Warsaw, Poland, 19-21 May 2021
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ICSG Istanbul 2021, Istanbul, Turkey, 4-5 June 2021
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Middle East Energy Dubai, Dubai, UAE, 14-16 June 2021
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SPARK, London, UK, 22-23 June 2021
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Power China 2021, Guangzhou, China, 16 - 18 August 2021
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Enlit Asia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 28-30 September 2021
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Enlit Europe, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December 2021
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Dec2020
MEMBER NEWS
Griffin Group Energy contractor of first grid connected facility that uses Tesla’s modular solutions
December 11 (Renewables Now) - PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA (WSE:PGE) on Wednesday announced the launch of a 2.1 MW/4.2 MWh energy storage facility using Tesla Powerpack modules in Rzepedz, Poland.
The battery will improve the reliability of the local distribution network and support the connection of more renewable energy capacity in the area.
PGE aims to build at least 800 MW of energy storage capacity by 2030 and it is already preparing one bigger project -- a 205 MW/820 MWh facility in Zarnowiec.
Griffin Group Energy was the contractor for the Rzepedz battery project, which is touted as the first facility connected to the grid in Central and Eastern Europe that uses Tesla’s modular solutions. The project was implemented jointly by PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna and PGE Dystrybucja as an innovative solution improving grid stability.
NES partnering with CIAC IT in innovative "Energy Bank" initiative
NES is partnering with CIAC IT (leader of the VERTPOM consortium in France) to present an innovative solution which creates a balance between production and consumption of any kind of energy (with VERTPOM-BANK) leading to a positive energy territory VERTPOM is being supported in France by the Environment and Energy Management Agency, ADEME. This exciting objective from VERTPOM combines leading-edge technologies from the energy industry, and research from leading universities, to create a positive energy territory in which consumption and generation are optimized and balanced dynamically. The participants in this consortium are CIAC IT, GAZELEC, University of Picardie JULES VERNE and the towns of Péronne and Saint Quentin.
This solution, based on artificial intelligence (AI) and developed in France, interfaces with the NES smart meters. It includes the VERTPOM-BANK decision support tool also called Energy Bank, which will direct production, distribution, and consumption of energy across the two territories and serve as a template for wider deployment. The VERTPOM infrastructure also anticipates other needs as it includes the management of gas, water and any available energy meter connected via dongles to NES electric meters. The outcome is to achieve “positive energy territories” – territories where consumption of energy is balanced with locally generated energy with a net-flow of energy back into the grid.
LF Energy Partners with Alliander, RTE and Savoir-faire Linux to Launch Power Grid Virtualization Project
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- December 16, 2020 — LF Energy, a Linux Foundation nonprofit seeking to accelerate the energy transition of the world’s grids and transportation systems through open source, along with Alliander, RTE and its newest member, Savoir-faire Linux, announced today SEAPATH, or Software Enabled Automation Platform and Artifacts (THerein), the second project in its Digital Substation Automation Systems (DSAS) initiative. Following DSAS’ objective to create the next generation of digital substation technology, SEAPATH will provide a reference design and a real-time, open-source platform for grid operators to run virtualized automation and protection applications. “The use of power transmission and distribution grids is changing due to the energy transition, making SEAPATH a vital next step in renewable adoption,” said Dr. Shuli Goodman, Executive Director of LF Energy. “Clean energy sources like renewable energy and electric vehicles cause increasing fluctuations in power supply and demand that are difficult for grid operators to control and optimize. SEAPATH and our other DSAS projects like CoMPAS alleviate these challenges by making electrical substations more modular, interoperable and scalable through open-source technology.”
Modern digital substations now require an increasing number of computers to support more field devices and applications, and a higher degree of automation. SEAPATH seeks to consolidate multi-provider automation and protection applications with redundant hardware requirements onto one platform that grid operators can use to emulate and virtually provide these services. The project will help with time and cost-efficiency, scalability and flexibility, innovation, vendor-agnostic implementations and the convergence of utility practices.
Conlog’s Utility Application
Conlog has engineered a Utility Application to increase efficiencies with mass meter roll out projects. The app is designed to help with the installation, commissioning and validation that the meter is functional with the back-end system and ready for use. Saving you time and money and increasing electrification rates, giving people access to energy.
Duke Energy Now Offers Mobile Virtual Tour of Microgrid Innovation Lab
Duke Energy, which is known for its approach to innovation and emerging technology, recently partnered with Index AR Solutions to create MicroTour, a virtual mobile tour app for a microgrid facility in Mount Holly, North Carolina. The microgrid is part of Duke Energy’s emerging technology and training center. It can be fed from traditional facilities on the electrical grid, or it can be isolated from the grid and fed from its own advanced internal generation sources. Duke Energy uses the facility as a testing ground for technology that will modernize the electric grid. Thanks to Index, users can now explore the microgrid from the palm of their hand. Duke Energy turned to Index for help creating MicroTour, a mobile app that allows employees and visitors to learn more about the Mount Holly microgrid in real time regardless of their location.
The MicroTour app uses AR, videos and photos to create an immersive tour of microgrid yard. People on location can use the app and smartphone camera to scan the microgrid yard and see overviews of each piece of equipment, including specifications and streaming real-time status. Offsite users can use MicroTour’s virtual flyover to explore a 3D model of the microgrid and 20 pieces of select equipment. Tapping a beacon on each piece of equipment provides a short video, rich description and photos. A built-in live stream enables MicroTour users to monitor the site in real time.
Schneider Electric, 8 others vie for India's second-largest smart meter order
NEW DELHI: Schneider Electric, Genus Power Infrastructures and HPL Electric and Power are among the nine firms in the fray for a 2.35 million smart electricity meter order floated by state-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL). India’s second-largest smart meters’ contract comes in the backdrop of cancellation of a previous contract awarded to Indonesia-based PT Hexing following concerns over its failure to meet local manufacturing criteria. The others vying for the marque order are - Avon Meters, Linkwell Telesystems, Zen Meter, and Allied Engineering Works. India is rolling out the world’s largest electricity smart metering programme which has attracted the likes of Canada’s largest pension fund manager Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and sovereign wealth fund Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) as reported by Mint earlier.
“The above tender is still under process and active," said a EESL spokesperson in an emailed response. India aims to replace 250 million conventional meters with smart meters, that also hold the key to its electricity distribution reforms by checking thefts and improving electricity distribution companies (discoms) operational efficiencies.
MARKET NEWS
How to Address Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in the Low-Voltage Grid
In their recent paper, The energy-sector threat: How to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities 1, McKinsey and Company make compelling points about the vulnerability of utilities to cyber-attack: • the increased awareness cyber-criminals have of the disruption that they can cause and the revenue they can generate • the operational and geographical distribution of the utility and its impact on its ability to protect and react in a coherent manner • the complexity of the energy supply-chain and the convergence of the physical and cyber components within it leading to the opportunity to do major damage by attacking relatively few points.
The paper outlines three main areas where utilities can apply their cybersecurity efforts and reduce their vulnerability: • strategic intelligence on threats and actors before attacks on the network • programs to reduce geographic and operational gaps in awareness and communication, creating a culture of security • industry-wide collaboration to address the increasing convergence of physical and virtual threats.
How could a smart meter paired with a thermostat slash monthly energy bills?
Could a smart meter linked with a thermostat reduce energy bills? A trial project launched by OVO Energy aims to help consumers understand how much money and energy they could save by adjusting the heating in their home through smart meter data about their energy usage. A small group of OVO Energy customers will be offered a tado° Smart Thermostat, which will be linked to their smart meter. Once the pairing is completed, the consumers will be able to see and optimise the energy they consume through the supplier’s app.
The app is expected to provide customers with advice about energy usage – for example it will be able to tell them the exact amount of money they could save if they turned down their heating at specific times of the day. The initial test is expected to be rolled out and available to all OVO Energy members in the UK in Autumn 2021.
Power sector seeks to reap benefits and tackle risks from AI
AI applications are transforming business operations and processes in the power sector as well as the broader economy, leading to greater cost savings, increased efficiency and new services for consumers. But further developments rely on the ability to foster and support innovation, addressing outstanding matters related to investments, data access and governance, as well as ethics. By 2025, 81 % of the energy companies will have adopted artificial intelligence, reaping the numerous benefits of accelerated developments in this field and fast tracking the clean energy transition, shows AI Insights:The Power Sector in a Post-Digital Age, an assessment released today by Eurelectric. First, AI can enable a faster decarbonisation of the power sector. While renewables are expected to cover over 80% of the electricity mix by 2050, coupling their deployment with AI applications, such as predictive algorithms, can lead to an efficient integration of variable sources of energy, thus providing a meaningful solution for reliability and intermittency concerns. Second, AI applications can support grid stability via accurate baseload management features and predictive maintenance, while the effective monitoring of customer use, would improve forecasting and lead to an optimal match between supply and demand.
The access to high-quality data is the lifeblood of AI, and an enabler of power sector transformations. The deployment of smart meters and advanced sensor technology would provide this much needed real-time data, thus allowing for AI-enabled demand-response and flexibility services to facilitate a better matching of customer usage and renewable output. With a sampling rate of four times per hour, 1 million smart meters installed in the smart grid would result in more than 35 billion records. But this abundance of data calls for sophisticated storage, and analysis tools, as well as policies that balance the need for data sharing with the protection of consumer privacy. While robust AI regulations are being developed to safeguard consumers, by avoiding bias and minimising the risks of careless data management, they should seek to foster innovation.
Australia to review smart meter rules
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is now reviewing what is required to facilitate retail innovation, so smart meters can drive the energy market toward one that is two-sided – where all energy users actively buy and sell electricity, or their demand for electricity. It will also look at whether the metering roles and responsibilities under the existing rules need to be revised. In 2017, the AEMC introduced new rules around competition in metering, including transferring responsibilities for metering away from distribution network service providers to metering coordinators. The reforms were designed to drive a market-led deployment of smart meters, increase competition, encourage new products, services and pricing to benefit consumers, and give them better information about their energy use.
There have however been a number of implementation issues, including customer satisfaction. The AEMC is now seeking to determine whether the original rules have met expectations and if changes are required. “We committed to reviewing the change after three years to assess how the market had developed. During those three years, the energy landscape has changed significantly,” the AEMC said on Thursday. “While smart meter use has not accelerated to the degree some people expect, this technology will be integral to work now under way to help the power system transition.”
EU bolsters defenses against cyberattacks. New strategy and laws aim to stop hacks of key assets and information.
The European Commission proposed an overhaul of cybersecurity rules for critical sectors and a new cybersecurity strategy Wednesday, in an effort to strengthen defenses against major breaches and state-backed attacks. The new proposals come in the wake of a major breach of the European Medicines Agency, which is currently involved in approving coronavirus vaccines, and a slew of other attacks that aimed to disrupt Europe’s strategic industries and public institutions in past years.
"The EU is stepping up to protect its governments, citizens and businesses from global cyber threats, and to provide leadership in cyberspace," said Josep Borrell, the EU's head of foreign policy. In a first proposal, the Commission unveiled a revision of its 2016 Networks and Information Security (NIS) Directive that would put stricter requirements on "essential entities" across sectors including energy, transport, financial services, cloud, telecoms, health care, manufacturing and public administrations.
COVID-19 Changes Advanced Metering
While the COVID-19 pandemic has upended nearly every aspect of our lives, the need to maintain a secure grid and keep the lights on remains in the forefront for utilities. Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) has been instrumental in helping utilities maintain their revenue flow and manage several remote operations during the pandemic. For many businesses, COVID-19 had rapid, expansive, and tragic impact. Businesses were quickly forced to fundamentally alter their interactions with employees and customers. Business leaders had to quickly weigh the value of prudence against the cost to operations that would come with a shift to close offices and storefronts, and transition their workforce to remote or work-from-home locations. The lingering impact of COVID-19 is not only in the speed that businesses had to adjust but also in the duration.
Like a looming hurricane, COVID-19's approach was seen weeks out, but the magnitude could only be guessed when it hit shore. Now, more than three months since social distancing guidelines were put into effect, many states are struggling to find the right balance of health guidelines and operation restrictions. Likewise, utilities are struggling to reestablish an equilibrium for day-to-day business operations. Businesses and communities are still grappling with the human loss that transcends the impact to sales and operations. Utilities have not been immune to COVID-19. As the market shuttered commercial and industrial job sites and load patterns have shifted, utilities' critical role in powering society has changed. It has since become every utility's struggle to ensure that uninterrupted operation and delivery continue while taking care to adhere to the necessary social distancing guidelines to safeguard its customers and employees.
PRESS RELEASE
OSGP Compliant Products Are Not Affected by the AMNESIA:33 TCP Vulnerability
The OSGP Alliance continues to ensure that OSGP based products and solutions provide industry leading cyber security
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 15 December 2020: The OSGP Alliance, a global non-profit association dedicated to promoting the adoption of the Open Smart Grid Protocol (OSGP) and infrastructure for smart grid applications towards a future proof modern smart grid, provides periodic updates to its members and the industry about potential cyber security issues. Accordingly, we have reviewed a recent industry issue with our members.
On the 8th of December 2020, Forescout1 disclosed 33 software security vulnerabilities affecting millions of embedded devices worldwide. This bundle of vulnerabilities is called AMNESIA:33. They were found in four open-source TCP/IP stacks, and four of the vulnerabilities are considered critical. These four TCP/IP stacks collectively serve as the foundational components of millions of connected devices worldwide, and these vulnerabilities can allow attackers to compromise devices, execute malicious code, perform denial-of-service attacks and steal sensitive information.
The OSGP Alliance and its members immediately conducted a review of its OSGP compliant products and solutions, and we confidently confirm that they are not affected by AMNESIA:33 vulnerabilities and the associated four specific implementations of the TCP/IP stack. OSGP based products do not use any of these stacks.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Common Information Model 2021, Virtual Conference, 13 January 2021
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IEC 61850 USA 2021 Common Information Model 2021, 13 January 2021
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POWERGEN India & Indian Utility Week 2021, New Delhi, 27-29 January 2021
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Advanced Metering Infrastructure 2021, Virtual Conference, 24 February 2021
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Africa Energy Indaba, Cape Town, South Africa, 2-3 March 2021
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NextGen SCADA Global 2021, Virtual Conference, 24-25 March 2021
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Fundamentals of IEC 61850 Global 2021, Brussels, Belgium, 30 March – 1 April 2021
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PowerGen & Renewable Energy Indonesia 2020, Jarkarta Indonesia, 30 March – 1 April 2021
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SMARTGREENS 2021, Prague, Czech Republic, 28-30 April 2021
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Digital Utilities Europe 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 12-13 May 2021
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Trade Show ELECTRICITY, Warsaw, Poland, 19-21 May 2021
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ICSG Istanbul 2021, Istanbul, Turkey, 4-5 June 2021
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Middle East Energy Dubai, Dubai, UAE, 14-16 June 2021
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SPARK, London, UK, 22-23 June 2021
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Power China 2021, Guangzhou, China, 16 - 18 August 2021
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Enlit Asia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 28-30 September 2021
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Enlit Europe, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December 2021
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Nov2020
MEMBER NEWS
OSGP Alliance’ active participation in European Power Strategy & Systems Summit, 30 November – 2 December
The OSGP Alliance is pleased to host a workshop at the upcoming digital edition of the European Power Strategy & Systems Summit taking place 30th November – 2nd December 2020. The following topics will be presented: How do we see the energy transition till 2050; Re-focus on Communications and Security Excellence within Smart Grid Architectures and Cyber-Threat detection in the Smart Grid (Utility Case Study).
Our presenters include Mark Ossel, Member of the Board, OSGP Alliance; Jon Wells, Chairman of the Technical Committee, OSGP Alliance, Emil Gurevitch, Director of Security Solutions, NES and Oleksandr Kabachynskyi, Head of System Administration & Information Security Department, Khmelnytskoblenergo. The video will be available on demand. In addition, Mark Ossel, Member of the Board, will join the Live Webinar Discussion on “Implementing New Smart Grid Technologies – Successes & Challenges taking place on 2nd December, 14.30 CET.
UPDATE 1-Berlin plans to buy city's power grid from Vattenfall
FRANKFURT, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Berlin’s city government plans to buy the electricity grid Stromnetz Berlin from Swedish utility Vattenfall, the German capital’s finance minister and mayor said on Friday. Finance minister Matthias Kollatz said the move was aimed at creating better conditions for preparing the 35,000 kilometre distribution network for climate protection measures as part of a transition towards decarbonisation. “We are taking over a good company,” finance minister Matthias Kollatz told a virtual press conference.
The transaction will need the consent of the city’s parliament to go through, and the deal is expected to be conditionally approved at the end of the first quarter 2021, and then backdated to Jan 1, 2021 if politicians consent.
Schneider Electric Launches New Podcast Series: Leaders Share Insights on Accelerating Digital Journeys During Pandemic
Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced today the launch of a new podcast series featuring technology insiders discussing insights on how businesses are accelerating digital journeys at this unique moment in time. With five episodes available for free download, Executive Insights provides tangible strategies to help IT and data center professional ensure life is on and stays on for every one of us. Industry professionals can listen and subscribe to the Executive Insights podcast through Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Stitcher Podcasts – or watch the video versions available through SE.com.
Hosted by Kevin Brown, Senior Vice President, EcoStruxure Solutions and CMO of the Secure Power Division of Schneider Electric, Executive Insights came to life during the early days of the pandemic. With a monumental shift in the number of people suddenly working from home, Brown knew executives at Schneider Electric, our customers, and our partners were making hard decisions to successfully manage this transition and he wanted to know more.
Tauron: Polish utility gets $65.1 million for grid modernisation and decarbonisation
In Poland, energy company Tauron Polska Energia has secured €55.8 million ($65.1 million) in funding from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to implement its grid modernization and decarbonisation strategy. The EBRD investment covers 24% of a PLN 1 billion ($260.3 million) local currency bond issued by Tauron to support its decarbonisation strategy. Tauron will use the investment to support its “just transition” strategy and address the social impact of accelerating the green transition.
The strategy includes a gradual decommissioning of coal-fired units, an expansion of renewable energy sources and the reduction of CO2 emissions. The utility will use the bond to expand solar photovoltaic installations to up to 300MW and to develop up to 720MW of new onshore wind energy capacity by 2025. Tauron will also modernize its grid to enable integration with distributed resources. By 2030, the company aims to generate more than 65% of its energy from zero- and low-emission sources, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by half.
Duke Energy’s Vision for Distributed Energy in North Carolina and Beyond
The state’s dominant utility wants to align solar, storage and smart devices with grid needs and decarbonization goals. What role will third parties play? North Carolina shares many characteristics with its fellow Southeastern U.S. states. Like most of them, it’s a vertically integrated market without competitive generation or federally regulated wholesale energy markets. And like most of its neighbors, it’s dominated by a large investor-owned utility covering vast swaths of territory interspersed by municipal utilities and electric cooperatives, and it has a big say in state energy policy.
But North Carolina also differs from its neighbors in some key ways. While Republicans hold a majority in the state legislature, North Carolina has a Democratic governor who’s pushing for the state to adopt a clean energy and decarbonization standard. It also has a lot more solar, the second-most of any state other than California. Finally, North Carolina has Duke Energy, its flagship utility, which has set its own goal of net-zero carbon by 2050 and has taken some innovative approaches to distributed energy resources.
A cost-effective technology solution for energy poor households
Energy poverty is a reality and a challenge for utilities. Yet, is there a technology solution which may address some of the challenges around cost-to-serve? The European Commission has estimated that nearly 11% of the EU’s population is in a situation where their households are not able to adequately heat their homes at an affordable cost. According to the research, the problem is due to rising energy prices, low income and poor energy efficient homes, and it is particularly prevalent in Central Eastern and Southern Europe.
According to the EU Science Hub, “Over 50 million people in the EU experienced energy poverty in 2018. Energy poverty means that households are unable to afford essential energy services needed to guarantee a decent standard of living.” Research released by the EU Science Hub in 2020 indicates that in many cases, digital technology and utilisation of ICT can reduce energy consumption “in social housing, … helping vulnerable consumers to reduce their energy bills.”
WVV implements tenant electricity model with SAP connection - Thüga subsidiary TSG acts as smart meter gateway administrator
Würzburg (energate) - Together with partners, the Würzburg-based utility WVV has implemented a first tenant flow model with SAP connection. The joint project with Thüga Smart Service (TSG) and EMH Metering (EMH) is the first to use exclusively modern metering equipment in combination with a smart meter gateway. WVV is acting as a pilot customer here, the company announced. The findings TSG has gathered from the project are to be incorporated into future tenant electricity projects with SAP systems.
The tenant power property in the Hubland district of Würzburg consists of two identical complexes, each with 24 residential units and a common solar system with a capacity of 60 kW. The owner and operator of the system is Stadtwerke Würzburg, a subsidiary of WVV. The complete metrological installation of the individual components was carried out by WVV's network subsidiary Mainfrankennetze. Each of the two complexes now has a PV generation measurement system, a bidirectional metering system for grid supply and infeed, and a general power measurement system, all of which, due to the high energy flows, is designed as a transformer measurement system and connected to a smart meter gateway.
MARKET NEWS
ENCS and E.DSO release security requirements for distribution automation
ENCS, the European Network for Cyber Security, and E.DSO, the European Distribution System Operators’ Association announced the launch of security requirements for Distribution Automation (DA) of Remote Terminal Units (RTUs). This is the third in a series of security guidelines for a smarter and more secure energy network, after ENCS and E.DSO previously released security requirements for electric vehicle charging points and smart meters. These requirements are an important tool in improving and harmonising the security of data collection and analysis for utilities across Europe, helping to build a more resilient network.
The requirements provide European distribution system operators (DSOs) with a defined set of practical considerations for procuring secure RTUs and are a significant step forward to industry wide requirements. These requirements have been split into various parts.
Why is Interoperability so important? NES Implementation of OSGP
Interoperability is the ability to deploy meters from various vendors into one smart grid and have them work together.
Simply allowing co-existence in the same grid is not enough. It is important that back-end systems accept the new vendor's meters seamlessly. It is critical that the back-end interoperability extends to and covers billing (the meter-to-cash process), operational functions and analytics functions
The Open Smart Grid Protocol is a leading standard for communications within the smart grid. It provides features which are essential if a smart meter deployment is to enable a smart energy transition and to align to national green initiatives, such as the EU Clean Energy Package.
NES smart meters implement the full OSGP stack to achieve industry leading inter-operability, communications and security, making them ideal for any utility looking to future-proof their investment in their smart energy platform.
Building blocks of an advanced metering infrastructure – part 1
A recent study of AMI professionals at leading DSOs revealed that regardless of the market set up or regulatory position, all utilities are currently investigating the business case for deploying modern smart meters to modernise the low voltage grid and integrate the last mile of the smart grid. Driving the rollout of next-generation smart meters to improve customer service and support advanced analytics in the smart grid at minimal expenditure forms the backbone of Advanced Metering Infrastructure in today’s context. But what makes up this infrastructure? And which building blocks do utilities need to understand and consider?
As industry specialists in utility data integration and enterprise architecture, especially when it comes to smart metering, we advise and consult utilities globally and support application and system vendors implementing projects impacting millions of consumers. As a result of this experience, we see a variety of approaches to central architectural decisions that utilities are taking. In this article, we explore key factors and provide our perspectives related to infrastructure cornerstones in the advanced smart metering value chain, namely the headend system. So what are the different types of headend systems on the market today and what constitutes a good and future-oriented integration architecture to support these systems?
Meghalaya state to modernise grid with ADB loan
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $132.8 million loan to finance 24X7 Power for All Meghalaya, a grid modernisation project unveiled by the Indian government and Meghalaya state government. The ADB loan will be used to improve power quality and upgrade the distribution network with the aim of providing a good quality, reliable, and affordable power supply to all electricity consumers. Although Meghalaya has achieved 100% electrification, the state’s per capita electricity consumption of 832 kWh/pa is low compared to the national average of 1122 kWh in 2017, and remote rural areas in the state suffer from frequent power interruptions. Distribution networks are overloaded and substations in rural areas use outdated technology, resulting in high aggregate technical and commercial losses.
To answer this problem, some 23 substations will be constructed and 45 substations will be renovated and modernised. Up to 2214 ks of distribution lines will be installed and up to 180 000 electromechanical meters will be replaced with smart meters.
Most vulnerable could benefit from smart meters
A new report released by 2020health, an independent social enterprise think tank, highlights how energy usage patterns from smart meter data could – with consumer consent – help the NHS to improve care for people living alone with serious health conditions, making it easier for them to live independently in their homes for longer. The report suggests that energy usage patterns from smart meter data could be used as a non-intrusive way to understand the daily habits of people with illnesses including dementia, Parkinson’s and depression. Irregularities in these patterns could alert relatives or healthcare workers that the individual concerned may need additional support.
If unusual behaviour were to be detected, an alert would be automatically raised and sent to a family member, careworker or doctor to respond. Not only could this provide professionals with important insights into the health of the patient, but it could also allow family and friends to act as ‘first responders’ to possible low-risk health concerns. This could alleviate pressure on social and healthcare systems and ease the burden on carers.
CPPIB, ADIA keen on smart meter business
India aims to replace 250 million conventional meters with smart meters, that also hold the key to its electricity distribution reforms. NEW DELHI : Attracted by the world’s largest electricity smart metering programme underway in India, Canada’s largest pension fund manager Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and sovereign wealth fund Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) have evinced interest for investing in the same to National Investments and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), said two people aware of the development. This comes in the backdrop of NIIF being present in India’ smart meter programme space through IntelliSmart—its joint venture with state-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), that works on a build-own-operate and transfer (BOOT) model. India aims to replace 250 million conventional meters with smart meters, that also hold the key to its electricity distribution reforms.
An external spokesperson for NIIF in an emailed response said, “As per NIIF policy, we do not comment on market speculation and information gathered from third party sources.’’ With $4.3 billion of equity capital commitments from investors such as CPPIB and ADIA, NIIF invests across asset classes such as infrastructure, private equity, transportation and energy.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Oman Energy & Water Conference & Exhibition, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, 29 November-1 December 2020
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The European Power Strategy & Systems Summit, Online Event, 30 November - 2 December 2020
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Budapest Energy Summit 2020, Future of Utilities Summit, Online Event, 1-4 December 2020
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Future of Utilities Summit, Online Event, 1-4 December 2020
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Common Information Model 2021, Virtual Conference, 13 January 2021
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IEC 61850 USA 2021 Common Information Model 2021
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POWERGEN India & Indian Utility Week 2021, New Delhi, 27-29 January 2021
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Advanced Metering Infrastructure 2021, Virtual Conference, 24 February 2021
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Africa Energy Indaba, Cape Town, South Africa, 2-3 March 2021
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NextGen SCADA Global 2021, Virtual Conference, 24-25 March 2021
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Fundamentals of IEC 61850 Global 2021, Brussels, Belgium, 30 March – 1 April 2021
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PowerGen & Renewable Energy Indonesia 2020, Jarkarta Indonesia, 30 March – 1 April 2021
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SMARTGREENS 2021, Prague, Czech Republic, 28-30 April 2021
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Digital Utilities Europe 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 12-13 May 2021
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ELECTRICITY, Warsaw, Poland, 19-21 May 2021
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Middle East Energy Dubai, Dubai, UAE, 14-16 June 2021
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SPARK, London, UK, 22-23 June 2021
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Power China 2021, Guangzhou, China, 16 - 18 August 2021
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Enlit Asia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 28-30 September 2021
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Enlit Europe, Milan, Italy, 30 November – 2 December 2021
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