The Smart Grid of the Future

Gabreta Smart Grids

What is Gabreta Smart Grids?

Gabreta Smart Grids is a project focused on the modernisation and digitalisation of the electricity distribution system in the Czech and German border region. The aim is to create a “Smart Grid”, which effectively connects decentralised electricity generation, consumption and its real-time management.

The key benefits of the project are as follows:
‍·      Increase in energy efficiency and stability of supply
·      Integration of renewable energy sources into the distribution grid
·      Reduction of the carbon footprint and promotion of sustainability
·      Increase in transparency and an opportunity for active consumer participation

‍What is the grid like in Germany and the Czech Republic? (Grid performance in Germany and the Czech Republic)

The structure of the electricity network:
‍·      Transmission network (transmission “highways”) – high-voltage lines carry large volumes of electricity over long distances.
·      The distribution system (“A-road”) - interconnects regional generation and consumption.
·      Low-voltage network (‘local road’) - provides electricity to households and small businesses.

The grid in Germany and the Czech Republic includes:
1.     The transmission system which is used to transport large volumes of electricity over long distances.
2.     The distribution system that supplies electricity to households, businesses and industrial buildings, and is therefore important for transmitting electricity from producers to consumers. The Gabreta project is optimised to make better use of energy from decentralised sources such as wind farms and solar power plants.

The leading distribution system operators are Bayernwerk Netz GmbH and EG.D.

The high voltage (110 kV) network distributes electricity regionally and connects substations and transformers. It can be compared to transport infrastructure:
– The transmission system corresponds to motorways, with the substations acting as road interchanges and the distribution network acting as an A-class road, connecting generation sources to end consumers.

A modern distribution system supports direct power from renewable sources and enables the smart energy flow management. Excess energy is stored in batteries or pumped storage plants and released at times of increased demand. Thanks to digitalisation, we have a real-time overview of electricity consumption and production.

Smart Grid

Future of Energy

The Smart Grid is a smart energy network that connects all participants in the energy system using digital technologies. The grid facilitates real-time monitoring, management and optimisation of electricity generation, distribution and consumption.

Thanks to the Smart Grid, it is possible to determine exactly when and where electricity is generated and consumed. Data is collected using sensors, smart meters and controllers. This information is then analysed and provides automatic generation and distribution management to match current demand at all times.

The Smart Grid is designed to easily integrate renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. With this smart management, surplus energy can be stored and used at times of increaseddemand.

‍How does the Smart Grid work?

‍The Smart Grid is revolutionising the powerdistribution industry. It integrates generation, consumption and energy storageinto a single smart system. This grid dynamically responds to changes in demandand generation, contributing to the stability of the entire energy system.

·      Optimised management: The Smart Grid canefficiently balance energy consumption and generation. If production is highert han actual consumption, the grid stores excess energy and releases it at peak times

.·      Digitisation for safety: Advanced monitoring systems such as the Trafo-Health-Index continuously monitor the condition of transformers, providing rapid detection and prevention offailures. This feature significantly increases the safety and reliability of the power supply.

·      Extended sustainability: The Smart Grid promotes the greater integration of renewables. Thanks to the precise management of the electricity flow, it is possible to integrate larger numbers of solar and wind power plants into the grid, even under unstable weather conditions.

·      Efficient load management: The Smart Grid can optimise the distribution of electricity according to current demand. Automated systems can be used to manage charging stations for electric vehicles or heat pumps and avoid grid overload.

·      Local power generation: The Smart Grid facilitates decentralised power generation. Households and businesses can generate their own electricity and share excess power with the grid, reducing the need for long-distance transmission and protecting natural resources.

·      Valuable transparency: Smart metering provides consumers with accurate information about their consumption. This promotes energy-saving behaviour and better use of energy.

·      Advanced electromobility: The Smart Grid simplifies charging of electric vehicles when there is sufficient energy available under favourable conditions, thus helping to balance grid loads and supporting the development of sustainable transport.

·      Smart communication: The network uses Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to connect digital and real-world elements. This feature enables better coordination between electricity generation, consumption and storage, leading to cost savings and more efficient use of energy.

SCADA

How does the distribution system control work?

To ensure reliable and efficient operation of the distribution network, centralised control systems are used to monitor, control and optimise the network in real time. The SCADA system, which collects and analyses data from all parts of the distribution system, is an essential tool.

What does the SCADA system provide?
• Data collection – The system continuously monitors the current status of the power grid, recording parameters of voltage, currents and other variables.
• Remote control – Allows controllers to remotely control various elements of the power grid, speeding up response to failures.
• Graphical visualisation – Controllers can clearly see power facilities and their interconnections.
• Incident reporting – Every failure, incident or change in the grid is automatically reported for future analysis.
• Operation optimisation – The SCADA system enables electricity transmissions to be managed so as to minimise losses and increase distribution efficiency.

How does the SCADA system work?
The system creates a digital twin of the distribution network that provides a detailed, real-time view of all facilities. This system not only enables controllers to react to current incidents, but also to analyse historical data and plan maintenance or network development.

Why is SCADA important?
SCADA is a key element for the safe and efficient management of the power grid. Thanks to SCADA, we can quickly detect and eliminate failures, optimise the use of renewable resources and ensure a stable supply of electricity, even with increasing demand.

Transformer station

A key node of the distribution network

Transformer stations are critical nodal points in the electricity network, where electricity is converted from higher to lower voltages so that it can be efficiently distributed to households and businesses.
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How does a transformerstation work?
Transformer stations take electricity from the transmission system and use transformers to convert it to a lower voltage that is safe for distribution to consumers. They ensure that electricity is supplied to the places where it is needed without significant losses.
The importance of transformer stations in modern power engineering
With the increasing number of decentralised power generation plants, the role of transformer stations has become even more important. They provide an efficient interconnection of solar power plants and wind farms to the grid and enable voltage stabilisation.

digiONS

Digital Local Area Network Station

The digital local area network station (digiONS) is a modernised version of the traditional transformer station. DigiONS are key elements of the Smart Grid. They facilitate the smart, real-time control of electricity distribution and communication between different parts of the grid.

What is it used for?
A local network station is used as a power “distribution centre”. This station transforms medium-voltage current into the low-voltage current that is needed in households and businesses. DigiONS make this “distribution centre” smarter and more efficient.Digital Local Network Station and its functions
• Continuous monitoring: DigiONS constantly monitor the flow of electricity through the network. They collect and analyse data about the flow of electricity in the grid. As a result, controllers in the control room have a continuous overview of the status of the network and are able to react quickly to any problems.
• Fast failure identification: Advanced sensors and diagnostic tools provide immediate detection of problems such as short circuits or network failures. These features accelerate repairs and reduce the time of power outages.
• Remote control and maintenance: DigiONS systems allow operators to make adjustments and troubleshoot problems remotely, without requiring any physical intervention. This reduces downtime and maintenance costs.
• Enhanced efficiency: Smart load management helps reduce network congestion and minimise energy losses. DigiONS also collect and analyse network data to identify patterns and improve operational efficiency.
• Integration of renewable energy sources: DigiONS play a key role in connecting renewable energy sources, such as solar power plants and wind farms, to the grid. They enable the efficient and stable transmission of power from these sources to our homes.

Benefits for both the network and the consumer
Digital local network stations contribute to a stable, sustainable and cost-effective power supply. They provide consumers with a reliable power supply with an increasing share of renewables. In the future, digiONS will help us make better use of photovoltaic panels, batteries and electric vehicles.

Optical fiber

Unique method of wrapping fibre optic cables

·      Reducing infrastructure costs
·      Enhanced resistance to weather conditions
·      More efficient data flow management

Two-phase reliability verification
The installation was divided into two phases in order to test the reliability of the technology. First, we tested the fibre optic cable’s behaviour in extreme conditions on a 1.5 km long section in Vysočina (the Vysočina Region). After evaluating the results, we plan to extend the cable another 28.5 km. The total investment in this solution is approximately CZK 19 million. Thanks to this approach, construction interventions in the landscape are minimised and the need for new electricity pylons is reduced. We first used this method three years ago to connect the Hrušovany substation to the Hostěradice switching station.

Assistance from the UK
However, we face more difficult terrain conditions in the Vysočina Region. Therefore, we have engaged specialists from AFL in the UK, who have extensive experience in similar installations around the world. Their expert supervision will ensure maximum efficiency and long-term reliability of the network.

Gabreta

Main objectives of the Gabreta Smart Grids project

1.     Integration of the European energy market
‍The Gabreta project interconnects the Czech Republic’s grids with neighbouring countries and therefore brings several advantages. The interconnection reduces the risk of power outages for households and businesses and improves the stability of power supply. The project uses modern technology to manage and monitor the power grid more efficiently, contributing to its greater flexibility and enabling the better integration of renewable energy sources. Gabreta is an important step towards creating a single European energy market and promoting sustainable energy development, which will eventuallybenefit all consumers.

‍2.     Decentralisation and decarbonisation
‍Gabreta will facilitate the connection ofmore renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind farms, to ourgrid. This will help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and improve ourimpact on the environment. Moreover, smart grids will help us make better useof these resources, no matter whether the sun is shining or the wind blowing.

‍3.     Reducing transmission losses
‍We will reduce power transmission losseswith smarter technologies and shorter power transmission paths. This means moreenergy will reach our consumers and less will be lost in transmission.

‍4.     Enabling newcustomer solutions and a new market structure through digitalisation
‍Gabreta will enable the introduction of smart meters and systemsfor efficient energy management. Thanks to these systems, customers will have abetter overview of their consumption and can optimise it more effectively,helping them to save on their costs. Smart grids will also increase the energysystem’s flexibility and facilitate response to changes in energy productionand consumption.

‍5.     Europeanenergy independenceThe EU relies heavily on energy sources from third countries,which makes it vulnerable in times of political instability. Integrating renewable energy sources (RES) through smart grids (SG)is crucial to achieving energy independence and reducing the impact of externalevents on Europe. Renewable energy is now a key element inensuring a stable and independent energy supply.

‍6.     Security and reliability of the distribution system operations
‍Smart devices and reliable communication technologies ensure asafer and more reliable operation of our grid. This will result in fastersolutions to failures and a stable energy supply for everyone.

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Contacts

Contact details for answering additional questions and providing additional documentation.

Czech republic

EG.D, a.s.
Mgr. Tomáš Manosoglu

tomas.manosoglu@egd.cz

Germany

Bayernwerk AG
Nina Sichler

nina.sichler@bayernwerk.de

These contacts are not for the obligation of public consultation.