Five smart grid projects of European common interest
The European Union’s new list of smart grid ‘Projects of Common Interest’ gains three new projects, loses four previous projects.
The European Union’s newly released proposed fifth list of Projects of Common Interest includes five smart grid projects among the 98 energy infrastructure projects – one fewer than in the fourth list and three of them new to the list.
Two projects are carried over from the fourth list. The ACON (Again COnnected Networks) project is aimed to foster the integration of the Czech and the Slovak electricity markets by improving the efficiency of distribution networks while increasing cross-border capacity at DSO level.
The Danube InGrid project between Hungary and Slovakia is designed to enhance cross-border coordination of electricity network management, with a focus on smartening data collection and exchange
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New smart grid projects
Three projects are new on the list.
The Carpathian Modernized Energy Network (CARMEN) project between Hungary and Romania is designed to improve distribution network operation efficiency and service quality and enable secure electricity flows from new renewable generation.
The Gabreta project between the Czech Republic and Germany is designed to enhance system optimisation by retrieving and exchanging information in real time, improving metering and monitoring of the grid and more flexibility and hosting capacity for renewable generation.
The Green Switch project between Austria, Croatia and Slovenia is designed to optimise the utilisation of existing infrastructure and efficiently integrate new technologies to increase hosting capacity, integrate new loads and improve quality and security of supply.
The four projects dropped from the fourth list are SINCRO.GRID between Slovenia and Croatia, the Smart Border Initiative between France and Germany, Data Bridge involving Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Finland and France and the Estonia, Finland cross-border flexibility project.
The selected smart grid projects of common interest will bring an important number of benefits, including increased cross-border capacities, improved efficiency of the networks, cross-border data coordination, higher uptake of renewable energies and safer grid management, among others, according to the EC staff working document.
The five projects have a significant cross-border impact and benefit numerous countries.
“Indeed, smart grid projects in border regions can be a significant added value of a cross-border approach, allowing to benefit from local complementarities across borders in areas such as renewable energy production or storage solutions,” the document states.
“The smart grid projects of common interest can play an important role in charting the way ahead.”
Projects of common interest
The selected projects of common interest are designated as key cross-border energy infrastructure projects for building a more integrated and resilient EU internal energy market and pursuing the region’s energy and climate goals.
The 98 projects in the fifth list include – in addition to the five smart grid projects – 67 in electricity transmission and storage, 20 in gas and six on CO2 networks.
The fourth list contained 149 projects, with reasons for the reduction including the completion (or near completion) of interconnection projects and the change in status of the UK from a member state to a third country.
Benefits to inclusion in the list include streamlined permitting and regulatory procedures and eligibility for financial support from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
The proposed fifth list is now subject to approval from the European Parliament and the Council.
