Addressing challenges in Europe’s energy transition: modernising the grid for a sustainable future

To tackle today’s challenges, modernising the grid is essential for DSOs to create a sustainable and future-proof grid, writes Victor Dominguez Richards, Head of Technical Sales at Gridspertise.

Europe has made significant progress in its energy transition. By 2024, global energy emissions will peak and dependence on coal and oil will be reduced, thanks to plummeting renewables costs. The European Commission aims to cut emissions by up to 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, underscoring the need for a sustainable and resilient energy future.

The European grid is transforming to meet EU decarbonisation goals, shifting from a centralised one-way model to a decentralised two-way model for energy and data.

Eurelectric’s ‘Wired for Tomorrow’ report identifies the 3Ds as the major trend driving this shift: Digitalisation, Decentralised Generation, and Decarbonisation.

The power sector also faces several pressing challenges that require targeted solutions. Addressing them can significantly enhance the overall performance and resilience of the power sector.  

Modernising ageing infrastructure, implementing advanced grid management systems and developing robust supply chain strategies are crucial to ensuring reliability, efficiency and maintaining grid stability as renewable energy sources are integrated.

Finally, adopting digital solutions and automation systems can improve grid management, operational efficiency, and cybersecurity.

The importance of technologies

Smart grid solutions can optimise reinforcement investments and enable a more targeted, efficient allocation of resources. Edge computing and artificial intelligence are well suited to today’s grid challenges.

Moreover, digitalisation improves utility processes by enhancing low voltage visibility and streamlining customer engagement and connection processes.

Eurelectric’s ‘Grid for Speed’ study reports that the LV grid represents 60% of the total grid length and is where most new electrical vehicles and heat pumps will be connected, significantly increasing the load. Key developments at the MV and LV levels include increasing grid visibility, integrating advanced automation technologies, increasing smart meters penetration and facilitating the connection of DERs.

Low voltage has always been a top priority for Gridspertise and its LV Monitoring and Control Suite increases visibility into the LV grid, enabling utilities to better manage energy flows. Additionally the company’s LV SCADA platform reduces the need for manual intervention.

Grid domain

At Enlit Europe, Gridspertise showcased its Quantum Edge® device (QEd), all-in-one solution for virtual protection automation and control. It allows grid operators to perform essential functions directly at the edge, reducing the equipment required in secondary substations.

This ‘smartphone for the grid’ replaces multiple devices, reducing installation footprint, wiring and maintenance. It features edge computing for cross-data-domain analysis, multiple hardware interfaces and communication protocols for full system integration, and a native AI engine for analysing raw data streams and predictive maintenance.

QEd modernises grids’ ageing infrastructure with real-time monitoring and control for medium and low voltage networks, reducing supply chain constraints by integrating key grid functions.

In addition, it enhances grid management with real-time data processing and automation, supports DER integration, and provides flexibility services for renewable energy variability. QEd optimises energy distribution, reduces carbon footprints, and improves grid resilience with self-healing automation and power quality analysis.

Utilities can customise the QEd with a range of different applications developed with partners. The ecosystem is growing to meet utilities’ present and future needs.

Metering domain

Smart meters modernise electric grids by improving efficiency, reliability and sustainability. They enable real-time data collection, optimise energy distribution, integrate renewable resources and improve grid resiliency, while providing consumers with insights to promote sustainable energy use.

Gridspertise has delivered over 110 million smart meters worldwide and pioneered major rollouts in several European countries. The company daily collects 2,095 billion measurements, with load-curve data collected every 15 minutes for more than 21 million meters.

At Enlit Europe, the company showcased smart meters with different communication technologies and a suite of services to support utilities in field operations.

Together with its group company Aidon, Gridspertise provides a complete end-to-end metering platform with tailored hardware, software and managed services.

The as-a-service model allows utilities to focus on their core business, with the support of experienced providers like Gridspertise handling other aspects, benefiting small and medium-sized utilities by enhancing their capabilities without costly investments. Moreover, Aidon has connected over 1 million energy metering points with its metering as a service. By leveraging MaaS, utilities can modernise Europe’s grid.

Gridspertise positions itself as a one-stop shop for digital smart grid management solutions. It enables real-time decision-making, optimises energy flows, automates control of flexible resources, ensures reliable operation during communication disruptions, and reduces the load on IT infrastructure.

Developed and tested leveraging a solid 20-year background as DSO in grid operations, these solutions integrate seamlessly with existing grid assets and core software systems, minimising the cost of digitalisation and proving that Gridspertise is a reliable and trusted partners for small and medium utilities.

About Gridspertise

Gridspertise offers grid intelligent devices, end-to-end cloud-edge platform solutions and services to accelerate the digital transformation of electricity distribution grids. Its portfolio easily integrates with distribution system operators’ existing infrastructure, combining intelligent and automated grid devices with ready-to-use modular applications, running at central level and on the edge.