LL2: Smart Energy

Over the last two decades, the power supply industry has been the subject of a deep transformation. On one hand, the unbundling, i.e. the process of splitting vertically integrated utilities into a number of generation, transmission, distribution and energy retailing companies has been the basis for the introduction of competitive electricity markets; on the other hand, the continuing increase in renewable energy sources, the introduction of the active demand concept, the deployment of energy storage systems and finally the expected transition from fossil fuels based to plugin electric vehicles, represent key challenges and opportunities, requiring a deep renovation in power systems operation. The transition from traditional electricity grids to smart grids is driven by the large-scale deployment of telecommunications infrastructures, supporting innovative real time control systems, aimed at coordinating the action of traditionally uncoordinated equipment and grid players towards a set of common objectives. In the light of the above, this LL is aimed at providing evidence about the potential benefits from large-scale adoption of 5G technology in the smart grid sector; a preliminary evaluation of expected 5G KPIs reveals that the added value brought by the new generation of communication technology lies in its level of reliability, low latency and wide coverage. 

This LL will target three use cases, as listed below, referring to the broad area of Demand Side Management (DSM). DSM refers to the changes in electricity use by consumers from their normal consumption patterns in response to incentive payments designed to induce lower electricity use at times of high wholesale market prices or when system reliability is jeopardised. 

Use Case 2.1: Industrial Demand Side Management
Use Case 2.2: Electrical Vehicle Smart Charging
Use Case 2.3: Electricity network frequency stability 

Technological KPIs to be validated include target values on latency, reliability and coverage.