Grid digitalization is a key step in the global energy transition
24/09/2018 Hitachi Energy UK Limited
Adrian Timbus - Technology and Solutions Managers for Renewables and Smart Grids - ABB SwitzerlandEnergy sector operators around the world are now working under increasingly challenging and complex circumstances. First there is the transition to renewable, typically weather-dependent, energy sources from the predictability offered by bulk, centralized power plants. At the same time, infrastructure is aging and subject to cyber security threats, while business models are disrupted by deregulation, new market designs and new entrants to the market. Nevertheless, grids must adapt to meet these challenges to ensure their continued reliability and quality of supply.
One major effect of the increasing penetration of small-scale, distributed and volatile generation resources is a reduction in the natural system inertia provided by large spinning machinery. Load profiles are also becoming less predictable, often with complex patterns. A significant contributor to these new load patterns is the adoption of roof-top solar panels, industrial and domestic energy storage 'behind the meter' and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, all using power electronics technology that can affect power quality.
To address these challenges, grids must evolve from simplistic load-following control patterns based on historical data to embrace smart operation that utilizes real-time data. The key to this evolution is the use of new digital technologies that harness the capabilities of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, together with high speed communications and advanced sensors.
ABB Ability is leading the way
ABB is leading the trend towards grid digitalization with the ABB Ability portfolio of architecture and applications that offers an open ecosystem for customers and partners to develop value-added grid solutions across six key areas:
-€¢ Planning and design - including technical and economic analysis for grid planning, the use of operational data for design, and solutions to support the definition of new grid connection codes
-€¢ Operations - including data-driven predictive operations and autopilot functionalities to enable operation closer to current limits and beyond, along with weather-related contingencies
-€¢ Maintenance - including predictive outage management, diagnostics-based predictive maintenance, and a digitally-connected workforce for optimal crew and asset dispatching
-€¢ Financial optimization - including business KPI reporting, expansion planning and strategy support
-€¢ Interfaces - including market, service and asset interfaces
-€¢ Analytics - including grid analytics solutions to support migration to data-driven operations and asset digital twins (health, stress and lifetime monitoring).
The world's first digitally integrated power transformer
ABB has taken a significant practical step by launching the world's first digitally integrated power transformer. It features a digital hub that can interface with a broad portfolio of smart devices on a modular platform, with plug-and-play capabilities. This modularity and scalability makes the system future-proof. As well as providing actionable intelligence at the local level, the new digital transformer solution enables operators to implement a full ecosystem of software solutions and services at the station and enterprise levels - including an industry-leading Asset Performance Management System. In addition to enhancing efficiency and product life, the new digital capability will boost reliability and mitigate outages through preventative action.
DERMS
Another practical example of the potential of digitalization is Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS). These enable operators to keep the grid in balance while maintaining system reliability and power quality as the number of distributed generation connections grows. DERMS software helps operators manage the increased complexity and variability of loads, enabling them to manage the entire lifecycle of distributed energy resources, from commissioning to optimization.
This approach can also be applied to create virtual power plants (VPPs). These bring together many geographically dispersed power generation resources under central control and optimization. Almost all generation and storage technologies can be integrated within a VPP - from biogas and biomass, through combined heat and power (CHP), wind, solar and hydro, to diesel and fossil-fired plants. Poentially, thousands of small individual units might be combined into a single VPP to gain the competitive advantage of a big player. VPP operators can monitor and plan loads, forecast deviation and participate in the energy market. DERMS handles real-time processing of large signal and data sets to manage and control assets.
Preparing for the digital future
Grid operators face a more complex and challenging environment. They need to evolve to integrate new technologies, new players and new ways of doing business. Effective digitalization offers an important opportunity to help ensure the success of this energy transition. The result will be increased sustainability and quality of supply while optimizing expenditure on grid infrastructure.
For more information, please contact:
Karen Strong
ABB Power Grids Division UK
Oulton Road
Stone
Staffordshire
ST15 0RS
Tel: +44 (0)1785 825050
Fax: +44 (0)1785 819019
Email: karen.strong@gb.abb.com
Web: www.abb.com
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