Smart metering major component of Tauron’s updated research agenda

Polish DSO Tauron has announced a renewed research agenda, with numerous aspects focusing on developing smart metering technology and distribution.

The utility’s new research agenda follows the completion of their Strategic Research Agenda of 2018, which, according to the utility, saw several successful undertakings, such as the implementation of blockchain technology and the launching of a microgrid in Bytom.

This new version of the agenda is focused on rapidly developing areas within the global energy transition, such as the use of green hydrogen, decarbonisation of heating, energy storage and the use of data from the smart grid.

When it comes to smart distribution in their research agenda, smart metering is frequently cited as a challenge and opportunity.

States the Group’s Strategic Research Agenda document: “As a Group, we are facing numerous organisational and technological changes in the field of digitisation and automation.

“One of such changes that we have to face is the need for Distribution Network Operators (DSOs) to install modern intelligent metering and billing systems that enable remote reading, transmission and management of customer metering data…we plan to develop tools and services based on data, their analysis and processing.”

According to Tauron, in their distribution network, there is an increasing number of meters with remote reading installed both at customers and at MV/LV stations, enabling heightened control over energy consumption.

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Part of the Group’s research will delve into optimal and cost-effective solutions for acquiring, transmitting, processing, storing and analysing consumption data.

It will also account for scaling and adapting the measurement system to handle increased volumes of data.

“We will develop tools that allow for maximum functionality, combining smart metering with communication technologies. They will enable the use of various types of data to support DSO business processes. We also strive to optimise the investment process related to the implementation of remote reading meters,” states the agenda.

Service platforms

According to Tauron, customers expect access to up-to-date information on the energy flow in their installations. After implementation of the national smart metering system is completed, these expectations will increase.

To meet these expectations, states the Group, they intend to develop digital communication channels:

“As DSO, we have at our disposal more and more data sets necessary for the functioning of the electricity market. We will focus on the development and adaptation of digital communication channels to the needs of system users and the structure of the market.

“We will enable the development of existing services or the creation of new communication channels in a way that enables the delivery of value to the users of the distribution system, including individual, business and collective customers.”

This work will aim to develop such service platforms to enable the Group to inform their customers about planned works on the network, as well as potential outages and network failures.

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When it comes to big data, Tauron cites two notable challenges involving smart meters:

• Using analytics of large data sets from smart metering infrastructure to deliver business value
• Managing the process of reading measurement data for the entire population of smart meters and efficient remote transmission

To this end, one subject of Tauron’s research going forward will be data management involving the use potential of advanced data analytics, automation of processes and data flows and artificial intelligence.

“Data from smart metering infrastructure provide information on energy and power, infrastructure status, electricity quality parameters, loads and other events. We will improve our tools and respond better to operational, repair and investment needs.”

Cross-platform solutions will also be investigated by the DSO to support decision making by correlating data sets from various measurement and control systems.

Additionally, the Group will look into developing tools that enable integration and correlation of data from various areas of DSO operation, in the hopes of better monitoring the distribution network.

Smart metering is one component of the smart grids and smart distribution section of Tauron’s agenda, which also includes the use of storage systems, development of automation and advanced grid diagnostics, adaptation of the grid to enable Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and the electromobility ecosystem.

“Recent years have been the period of the greatest changes in the history of the TAURON Group. The intensive development of RES, the separation of coal assets outside the Group, the need to reconstruct distribution networks make us change in every area of ​​our activity,” explained Paweł Szczeszek, president of the TAURON Group.

“These new solutions will also make it possible to take advantage of business opportunities, for example those related to the creation of a smart grid or the development of hydrogen technologies.”