The advantages of distributed power supply are obvious: the proximity to the end consumer allows for low-loss short transmission paths. Renewable energies like, for example, private photovoltaic or combined head and power plants can effectively be used in distributed power supply systems. The research project SMEDEA (Standardized Smart Metering as Key Function of Energy Efficiency of Distributed Generation) develops ways and standards for Smart Metering systems considering distributed generation. Smart Meters are to be available for end consumers as from 2010. Therefore the new function for control and organization of distributed generation and supply systems has to be defined as soon as possible. Today (2009 May, 30th) the NRW-Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Christa Thoben, personally presented the notice of granting for funding in the amount of 370.000 €. The project was successful in the competition “Energie.NRW” and is coordinated by Christian Rehtanz, professor for power systems and power economics at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at TU Dortmund. Partners from industry are EVB Energie AG, one of the leading service providers for power supply companies, as well as Energieversorgung Oelde GmbH.
Happy to receive the notice of granting from Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy, Christa Thoben: Frank Backowies (Manager EVO Energieversorgung Oelde), Prof. Christian Rehtanz (TU Dortmund) and Johannes Alte-Teigeler (Chairman EVB Energie GmbH)
“I am happy to start this Smart Metering project today. Because energy efficiency requires consumption transparency in households. With intelligent meters we take an important step in this direction”, states the Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Christa Thoben. “With developing and using electronic household meters, we open up new ways to increase the efficiency of the customer’s power consumption and induce energy-saving, on the one hand. On the other hand, it has advantages for power suppliers like, for example, remote reading and a simpler accounting. “
The research project makes use of the EU-guideline 2006/32/EG “Energy Efficiency and Energy Services” which calls for the end consumers to be promptly informed about their power consumption and the individual use. Each power consumer shall be able to influence and reduce his power consumption. The basis for this is an extensive application of Smart Metering-systems which – equipped with communication interfaces – can also be used for efficient energy management especially by distributed generation devices.
But with regard to the virtual realization, scientists find themselves confronted with an abundance of problems which prevent the optimal combination of processing meter readings, network planning and power supply operation. The IT-networking of the components presents a big technological challenge, especially as producers of electronic meters are currently using different communication standards. It is necessary to develop standards and concepts and to test them in the field. In addition to that, data privacy law implications, for example, have to be considered.
The project partner Energieversorgung Oelde GmbH takes a Smart Metering-network with approx. 150 single meters into operation. This pilot project is used as a basis for the field test. Within the scope of this pilot project, the prompt automatic consumption data acquisition is realized by EVB Energie AG. The testing environment in the laboratories of the Chair for Power Systems and Power Economics at TU Dortmund offers a platform for the theoretical analysis of the system prior to its installation into the network.
Altogether three years the project partners want to plan, develop and field-test the system. The results of the pilot project shall be applicable to customary networks regardless of their seize and shall significantly improve their profitability as well as the efficient use of the decentralized power supply.