The smart grid company, gridX, today announces cooperation with Westnetz, a Dortmund-based distribution system operator for electricity and gas.
The wholly owned subsidiary of the energy company Westenergie has chosen gridX's energy management solutions to further advance the future project ‘Grid Operation 4.0’.
Grid Operation 4.0 project
As part of the ‘Grid Operation 4.0’ project, Westnetz is equipping 100 local grids with smart metering technology and linking them to a digital system. The various components are thereby able to communicate with each other to dynamically control power generation, consumption, and storage. This also makes planning and operating the local networks safer and more efficient. As a result, the energy supplier is optimizing the cost of integrating flexible loads – above all charging points for e-mobility – into the distribution network.
Suitable communication and energy management systems are needed to ensure the loads
Suitable communication and energy management systems are needed to ensure the loads can be reliably controlled when required. It is precisely at this interface between the grid operator and flexible loads that gridX’s know-how and innovative technology contribute to the ‘Grid Operation 4.0’ project. Their solutions enable the system to detect grid bottlenecks, access and control flexible loads and thus prevent overloads.
Successful pilot project
gridX’s existing EMS already locally optimized energy flows within the available power limit at a pilot site with 17 charging stations and photovoltaic systems. From now on, this power limit can be intelligently adjusted by the grid operation 4.0 system via the gridX backend, depending on the state of the grid. This makes previously required safety buffers for rare power peaks in the grid obsolete and ensures optimal utilization of the distribution grid's capacity in the future.
This power limit can be intelligently adjusted by the grid operation 4.0 system via the gridX backend
On the one hand, this reduces grid expansion costs, and on the other hand, it accelerates the integration of additional charging infrastructure or other loads. Upcoming regulatory innovations and requirements – for example, in the area of dynamic network tariffs – can already be technically implemented with the EMS.
Expansion of the charging infrastructure
End customers will also benefit from faster expansion of the charging infrastructure and from more favorable grid tariffs – if they control their devices in line with regulatory frameworks.
With Westnetz, the Munich-based smart grid scale-up has found a partner that is also committed to sustainable smart grids. gridX offers energy providers, grid operators, charging point operators, OEMs and other energy startups a platform on which innovative energy solutions can be developed and rolled out, quickly and scalably. E.ON took over a majority stake in gridX in September.
Implement future-oriented projects
Tim Steinmetz, Chief Growth Officer of gridX, says, "This pilot project demonstrates both the flexibility of our platform and the scalability of solutions built on XENON. Our modular approach and the close cooperation with our partner Westnetz enable us to implement future-oriented projects to accelerate the integration of charging infrastructure into the power grid and drive the mobility transition."
Robin Schiwek, Project Manager at Westnetz, says, "The solutions developed with gridX bring urgently needed flexibility and dynamism to the grid. The resulting efficiency gains reduce costs for all parties involved – especially for end consumers. By networking, we enable a higher share of renewable energy and thus contribute our part to the energy transition."