Localization of energy has the potential to alleviate some of the serious balancing and congestion risks posed by the ever-increasing proliferation of DERs. By reducing the distance between supply and consumption, costs and congestion associated with long-distance transport of energy can be avoided, and self-sufficient end-users can reduce their costs and carbon footprint.
But this must be done whilst maintaining users’ freedom of choice, and without risking the stability of the grid or adding significant costs from the separate administration of 100s or 1000s of energy communities. Local energy communities would also need to be equipped with technology to manage their energy systems in real-time, disconnecting from the distribution network when possible and effectively balancing power in islanded mode, as well as providing services back to the grid in times of surplus.
At ORES, one of Belgium’s DSOs, a project has been ongoing for several years to establish the best mechanisms and solutions for the local exchange of energy. David Vangulick, Head of Long-Term Planning at ORES, will be joining us at Smart Grid Flexibility 2019 to present on the project. We caught up with him this week to find out more ahead of his presentation:
“In a context of ecological transition, collective self-consumption and energy communities now appear as a significant development in the energy market. The definition of collective self-consumption is an operation to share, within the same geographically defined area, via the public distribution or local transmission network, electricity produced from renewable energy sources or cogeneration quality, between one or more producers and one or more end customers.
The process always involves the public network – no private cables between neighbours or closed micro-grids – which has the double advantage of not having to invest in new infrastructure and can maintain a collective energy distribution system.
ORES, the main DSO of Belgium’s southern region, has been preparing for several years an innovative life-size test in the business park of Tournai Ouest: The “E-Cloud” project. The demonstration phase started 1st July 2019. Electrical needs and local renewable production flows (wind and photovoltaic) are aggregated with one objective: to promote collective self-consumption. Companies participating in the “E-Cloud” are encouraged to consume green electricity produced on-site through two distinct network tariffs: a specific and advantageous tariff for electricity from renewable and local sources, and a standard tariff for electricity withdrawn from their supplier (for which each consumer still has their freedom of choice).
Communication is a key element of the concept. By being systematically informed about the prospects of local production the next day, companies have the opportunity to be proactive in their energy management through the adaptation of their level of self-consumption of electricity.
ORES, as Distribution Network Manager and Market Facilitator, organizes the data exchange between the participants of this local energy community. The project also makes it possible to accommodate more new renewable productions on the distribution network in an efficient way, precisely thanks to the collective self-consumption. The results of these tests are expected for the second quarter of 2020, with already in the line of sight, savings on the total energy bill of the participants of the order of 8-14%. We will be more than happy to share more information and interim results during the conference.”
At Smart Grid Flexibility 2019, there will be 14+ Utility Case-Study Speakers Including:
- Ricardo Perez, Head of Technology Portfolio and Sustainable Project Development – Enel Global Infrastructure & Networks
- Yvonne Ruwaida, Business Strategist– Vattenfall Eldistribution
- Colm Murphy, Head of Electricity Market Change Delivery – National Grid ESO
- Andreas John, Head of System Management at 50 Hertz – Elia Group
- Jean-Philippe Poirrier, Assistant Director, Smart Grid Solutions Industrialization Program – Enedis
- Frans Campfens, Principal Consultant Energy Consulting – Qirion (Alliander)
- Rune Hogga, Chairman of the Board at NODES & CEO – Agder Energi Fleksibilitet
- Jozef Huyck, Head of Asset Planning & Network Development – Fluvius
- Pieter Vanbaelen, Product Manager Ancillary Services – Elia
- Fabio Giammanco, Head of Smart Grid Devices – Enel Global Infrastructure & Networks
- Steve Atkins, DSO Transition Manager – SSE Networks
- David Vangulick, Head of Long-Term Planning – ORES
Why Attend?
TSO/DSO Case-Study Agenda – Europe’s leading smart grid utilities will be sharing practical insights from their cutting-edge flexibility projects, detailing the choices they’ve made, the results they’ve delivered, and the lessons they’ve learnt. Our audience-led agenda ensures all the key topics are comprehensively addressed and you will leave the conference with all the information you need to fast-track your projects and deliver energy system flexibility in the necessary timelines.
Networking & Knowledge-Sharing – Shape the future of the power system by forging new connections at the evening networking reception and get to the heart of the issue in roundtable discussions focussed on specific technical challenges. With a highly targeted audience of TSO and DSO flexibility experts, there will be no shortage of opportunities to exchange in-depth knowledge and experiences with like-minded peers.
Technology Scouting – With a whole conference day focussed on innovative technologies such as EV, blockchain and power-to-gas, a focussed exhibition of 10+ key suppliers as well as a technology innovation panel, this conference will provide you with a thorough overview of the latest flexibility solutions on the market. If you’re looking for new solutions to the numerous challenges of energy system flexibility, look no further than this event!
Register Today
To find out how you can participate as a Delegate, Exhibitor or Sponsor:
Call: +44 (0)20 3691 1700
Email: registration@smartgrid-forums.com
Visit: Smart Grid Flexibility 2019