PowerMatcher technology moves smart electricity grids forward
Researchers of the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) designed the PowerMatcher technology, a new coordination system which can match the demand and supply of electricity more efficiently. This is an important building block for the smart electricity network of the future. For further research developments, ECN will be collaborating with the Flemish research organization, VITO. The cooperation agreement has been signed by the directors of both companies.
In order to meet European sustainability targets for 2020, the electricity network must become more intelligent. Our current electricity infrastructure is not capable of handling large scale introduction of sustainable energy sources. Smart Grids are the solution. This technology makes it possible to balance variable electricity production of wind turbines and solar energy automatically with electricity consumers like domestic appliances and industrial installations.
The EU has ambitious sustainability targets for its energy sector. In the year 2020 the union aims to reduce 20% CO2 emissions, provide 20% of the energy demand from sustainable resources (e.g. wind, solar and biomass), and to realize 20% energy efficiency. For the electricity system, this means there will be a drastic increase in electricity from fluctuating sources: wind energy, solar energy and co-generation. Further, this will lead to an increase of small scale electricity generation. More specifically, end users operating small scale generators (wind turbines, micro-cogeneration, solar panels) and feeding electricity back into the grid. These severe changes demand a redesign of the current electricity infrastructure. Smart Grids provide a solution to these strenuous impacts. A Smart Grid is a network that combines central electricity generation seamlessly with distributed and sustainable electricity production as well as responsive loads and electricity storage.
Higher level of renewable energy possible
The PowerMatcher technology is an advanced application of ICT for the electricity system. Devices connected to the network will be equipped with intelligent software that can automatically respond to fluctuations in demand and supply of electricity. This will support the accommodation of more sustainable energy sources without complications in the grid. Additionally, it reduces the need for traditional (e.g. gas-fired) central power plants to be kept in reserve in order to cope with the fluctuations in (sustainable) electricity supply. At the consumer level, the application of PowerMatcher technology is expected to lead to reduced energy consumption due to feedback on patterns of energy usage.
One of the first applications will be synchronizing the production of large wind parks with industrial electricity demand, for instance industrial cold stores which have certain flexibility in their demand. Electricity from wind is difficult to predict accurately. The PowerMatcher offers possibilities for coupling the fluctuation in wind turbine electricity generation with the flexibility of large cold stores.
VITO-Activities in Smart Grids
The research carried out by VITO focuses on intelligent energy systems for Smart Grids. This includes all systems for supply and demand which are made suitable for a Smart Grid. VITO has expertise of these individual technologies, and, moreover, is able to combine these components in their own state of the art Smart Grid testing facilities. In this way expertise is being gathered, which is unique in Flanders and cutting edge in Europe, and is necessary for the technical challenges of the future.
In Flanders, VITO took initiative, together with the Catholic University of Leuven, to bring together all stakeholders to launch a consultation on 'smart grids'. There are concrete plans for a massive demonstration of thousands of connections in cooperation with the Flemish network operators. As a pioneer of the smart grid research in Belgium, VITO provides an important contribution to the successful introduction of the energy networks of the future.
The cooperation between ECN and VITO provokes heavy stimulation of energy research and further development of smart grids. Furthermore, the parties cooperate to find technology applications in the market.
The development and application of the PowerMatcher technology is funded by the European Union, and the Dutch national energy research fund of SenterNovem.
For more information contact:
Koen Kok
Senior Project Leader Commercialization PowerMatcher ECN
J.kok@remove-this-part-ecn.nl
Telephone: +31 224 56 4451
Guy Vekemans
Project Developer Smart Grids VITO
guy.vekemans@remove-this-part-vito.be
Telephone: +32 14 33 58 40
Florentine de Maar
Press Officer ECN
demaar@remove-this-part-ecn.nl
Telephone: +31 224 56 4050
Kristine Verheyden
Head of External Communications Vito
kristine.verheyden@remove-this-part-vito.be
Telephone: + 32 14 33 55 53
More information about VITO at www.vito.be
