The limited functionality and therefore acceptance of “Smart Meters” and their uncertain contribution to a successful energy transformation in the three neighbour countries of the upper Rhine (D/F/CH) motivated the University of Upper Alsace (Mulhouse) to develop the Interreg funded project SMI (Smart Meter Inclusif). At the Kickoff on Oct. 10, 2019 (Photo: Thomas Walter) the project partners presented their work packages that include customer acceptance and marketing strategies, advanced algorithms for information processing as well as regulatory conditions and business models. The objective is the development and test of an improved smart meter that overcomes existing limitations. As an associated partner, Easy Smart Grid was invited to contribute its experience to convert such information into added value for both end customers and an energy system with high shares of renewables. To that end a close exchange with the project partners from administrations, research and companies is envisaged.

Smart charging adapts to availability of volatile renewables, so EVs help to use more of them. It also means that EVs are not all charged simultaneously (e.g. immediately after arrival) to reduce grid strain. Easy Smart Grid technology allows to implement both with fully decentral control to keep EV owners in the “driver’s seat”. They set the constraints (such as arrival and leaving time), while the smart system coordinates all charging processes.

At three locations (Ludwigsburg, Reutlingen and Constance) existing parking sites will be upgraded with charging infrastructure. Easy Smart Grid contributes technology for decentralized real-time energy management using local energy markets. The objective is to demonstrate the benefit over more traditional approaches: much simpler coordination and preparation for future requirements, specifically dynamic tariffs to which EVs respond while their owners benefit financially. The project is funded by the Ministry for Environment and Energy of Baden-Württemberg, and ESG will collaborate with main project partners Reutlingen University, isc Konstanz, and several other associated partners.

Allensbach is a community on Lake Constance with just over 7000 inhabitants and strong ambitions for active climate protection. With a representative population density and residential building structure, it can - and wants to be - a model for a successful energy transition in Germany.

In the demonstration project “SoLAR” a real estate with 22 households will be equipped with Easy Smart Grid technology, supported by the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Baden-Wuerttemberg. Local PV and a CHP generation will be integrated with heat pumps, electric vehicle chargers and showcase household appliances to balance the volatility of renewables and minimize grid load. Easy Smart Grid technology creates a local energy market to maximize consumption of locally generated energy, while minimizing control and storage complexity and thus cost.

Project website

solarlago.de/solar-allensbach/

Other project partners:

EIfER, ISC Konstanz, Kaufmann-bau, Weider, Stadtwerk Haßfurt, Gemeinde Allensbach, E3/DC, BSH Hausgeräte,

Miele, Buderus, Energiedienst.

In cooperation with Dr.-Ing. Erik Buchmann, Institute for Program Structures and Data Organization from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), we use extensive simulations to develop and evaluate Easy Smart Grid algorithms that allow an optimal load balancing and pricing. Furthermore, we compare the Easy Smart Grid with energy auctions, optimization techniques and other conventional Smart Grid approaches.Dr.-Ing. Erik Buchmann is head of a Young Investigator Group and member of the Institute for Program Structures and Data Organization (IPD) at KIT. His research interests include the management and processing of any kinds of imprecise, individual-related, large-volume data sets, e.g., from wireless sensor networks, location-based systems or smart-grid installations, together with the impact on the privacy of the individuals concerned.

http://www.ipd.kit.edu

The European Institure for Energy Research EIFER (EIFER, EDF-KIT, EEIG) and Easy Smart Grid GmbH collaborate on a technical and economic study of decentralized frequency driven demand-side management.  Easy Smart Grid economic feature will be added to the existing UFLS (Under Frequency Load Shedding) fridge simulation realized by EIFER, in order to have a concrete quantification of the benefit/barriers of oru solution on a concrete example.

Besides, this study will also help us to value the flexibility potential that can be activated through the fridges (or other household appliances) and its influence to the penetration of renewable energy in the grid.

EIFER intends to work on economic analysis of decentralized frequency driven demand side management, especially on island systems and wishes to explore Easy Smart Grid approach to potentially enlarge its propositions.

More than ten years ago, EDF and the University of Karlsruhe (now: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, KIT) decided to establish a common research institute devoted to energy and the environment in Karlsruhe, called EIFER, European Institute for Energy Research. Considered as the first R&D international center of the EDF Group, complementing the assets of the EDF Research & Development with around 2000 researchers, its mission is to develop a strong connection with the German academic institutes, mainly with KIT and build a high level German and European partnership network.

EIFER is a widely recognized research institute, with more than 110 employees from 14 different nationalities, developing a multidisciplinary know-how around the topics of “Sustainable Cities” and “Distributed Energy”, together with high level scientific and industrial partners, and contributing to several national and European public funded projects.

http://www.eifer.org