Smart electricity grid being developed to use renewable sources

24.11.11

Electricity distribution systems that can use more solar and wind energy are being developed. By using a smart power grid and financial incentives, 2,000 electricity customers on Bornholm, a Danish island, are being encouraged to reduce their power consumption when their wind turbines do not function (if the wind is either too strong or too weak).

This forms part of the EcoGrid EU project, which is being coordinated by SINTEF Energy Research in Sweden. 16 European partners from ten countries are collaborating on the project.

Ove Grande, Senior Researcher, SINTEF Energy, said: “When a country develops a high capacity to produce solar and wind power, the usual assumption is that system operators will need backup sources that can quickly be switched on when the wind does not obey the weather forecast or when clouds unexpectedly shade solar cells. And back-up sources of supply to meet acute power-matching needs are expensive. However, in the system to be demonstrated on Bornholm it is the consumers who will solve the problem, by cutting back some of their electricity consumption for short periods. This is far cheaper than giving them reserve power, and is also more environmentally friendly. And because it is cheaper, it will raise the limits of how much solar and wind power an electricity grid can actually rely on.”

It is hoped all countries that are planning “smart” electricity grids will be able to utilise the project’s results.

Read the story in full on the SINTEF Energy website.