Managing renewable energy
The transition to smart energy grids relies on sophisticated remote telemetry systems
Key points
Transitioning to low carbon energy is now the primary focus of Dutch energy policy, according to the International Energy Agency. The Netherlands’ 2019 Climate Act has set legally-binding targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, with 100 per cent of electricity to come from renewables by that year. But monitoring these low- and medium-voltage sources effectively presents a challenge for smart grid operators. Here, Johan van der Veen, energy account manager at Ovarro, explains why secure remote telemetry solutions are vital for a greener future.
“While God created the Earth, the Dutch created the Netherlands,” goes the old saying — referring to how the country’s first settlers from around 400 BCE built the country from earth mounds and dikes to hold back the waters of the North Sea. Now, the Dutch have given themselves the challenge of recreating their energy infrastructure. The Netherlands’ 2019 Climate Act has pledged to reduce emissions to 95 per cent compared with 1990’s levels.
To achieve this, the Netherlands is building a smart grid infrastructure to move away from traditional energy sources to renewables. Wind, wave, marine, hydro, biomass and solar are all proving themselves viable energy alternatives — but finding the right control technology to monitor these sources effectively is challenging.
Effectively managing assets on a smart grid is only achievable by capturing, storing and interpretating vast amounts of data from physical assets. Yet, at the same time, renewable energy sources like solar are unpredictable and rely on low- or medium-voltages, which makes monitoring them more challenging.
For instance, because the sun shines at certain times, solar panels feed energy back into to the grid periodically which can lead to potential instabilities and disruptions. What’s more, conventional remote monitoring systems — aside from being expensive — can be ill-suited to the task of properly interpreting fluctuating performance data
These challenges will become pressing as more and more Dutch homes turn to renewable energy sources, like solar panels. Whereas photovoltaic (PV) systems accounted for just 0.05 per cent, or 56 gigawatt hours (GWh), of the Netherlands’ total energy consumption ten years ago, this figure had risen to 6.79 per cent or 8,144 GWh by 2020.
Consistent energy
Energy network operators need flexible and customisable solutions to handle the requirements of low- or medium-voltage networks. But there are limitations with existing monitoring and control technology platforms. They tend to focus on a standard template and changes to drives and operating systems can be time-consuming, difficult to implement and too inflexible to handle the unpredictable behaviours of renewable energy sources.
These were the challenges faced by one Ovarro customer, Juva, an energy network management company that works together with the grid operator Westland Infra on distribution automation. Together, they manage a smart grid covering an area of 25 to 30 square kilometres in Westland, the Netherlands, which involves monitoring around 250 substations in the region. Juva sought a better solution for remote monitoring and managing low- and medium-voltages on the grid.
Recommending the best solution in cases like this means investigating anything that prevents a consistent medium-voltage energy supply across the smart grid. For Juva, issues related to the three-phase grid, which is the world’s most common and economical way of alternating current power generation, transmission and distribution across a network.
Juva noticed that the low-voltage solar panels of various households in a neighbourhood were not equally distributed over the three-phase grid. In another instance, a wire in the cable was overloaded due to the high level of sunlight. Therefore, a flexible solution was needed to detect these unique instances, and the customer’s existing hardware also made it difficult to detect instances of illegal energy use.
Outside the box
For Juva, Ovarro devised a solution using Rogowski coils. Rogowski coils are commonly used to accurately monitor medium- and low-voltages in precision welding systems, arc melting furnaces, in short-circuit testing of electric generators and as sensors in protection systems of electrical plants. The solution reduced the installation time to less than 30 minutes to measure eight fields. Moreover, the purchase price was much cheaper than conventional solutions.
However, the effective managing of smart grids will require more than just Rogowski coils. RTU systems are also needed for the capture, storage and interpretation of vast amounts of data from physical assets in the network. RTUs are now a critical part of most power generation and distribution operations and are essential for today and tomorrow’s smart grids.
Moreover, they should be networked in a series, like the Datawatt Smart Grid (DSG) series, which is designed to give flexibility and maximum security in the water, energy and industrial markets. Flexible characteristics of the DSG include its ability to implement a variety of protocols in real-time including IEC104, COAP and Modbus, with other protocols available on request.
Ovarro also paired-up with Eneida, which specialises in tailored smart sensor networks, data analytics and unique collaborative software to grid operators better analyse and control data on grids. With these systems, the Netherlands energy network management company is now able to control its grid with higher levels of productivity, energy-efficiency, security and an improved quality of service (QoS). Juva now plans to expand its smart grid and the number of substations beyond the 250 it currently monitors.
Smarter grids
Security is another essential factor in managing critical infrastructure like smart grids. With the hardware and software capabilities of the DSG system, for instance, it’s possible to connect multiple networks in one station. One port is used for communications upwards and another for substation communications, with secure firewall functions to protect the many inputs and outputs (I/Os).
This also means that engineers don’t have to drive out to a station every time there’s a fault. Instead, the problem can be monitored and managed using telemetry software, in real-time from a computer screen. By always communicating data back to the DSG system, the cabinet can be the brains of any station in the smart grid.
These technologies will prove vital as more homes and businesses around the world — and in the Netherlands — turn to low- and medium-voltage renewable energy sources. Just as the Dutch created the Netherlands all those years ago, the country is now on its way to creating a fully sustainable energy grid by 2050, if not sooner.
Contact Ovarro:
Rotherside Road, Eckington, Sheffield, United Kingdom, S21 4HL
Phone: +44 (0) 1246 437580
E-mail: sales@ovarro.com
Web: www.ovarro.com
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About us
Ovarro is the new name for Servelec Technologies and Primayer.
At Ovarro, we connect big data to make a big difference.
Some 40 years ago; our business was started through its people collectively working together, sharing knowledge and ideas to create products that would deliver benefits to our customers through engineering ingenuity, helping us to grow into the business we are today.
A business spanning four continents, providing critical technology that’s working 24/7 behind the scenes, ensuring people and businesses can get on with their daily lives.
Through innovation and collaboration, we help support business critical assets and national infrastructure around the globe with industry-leading, data-driven solutions that enable organisations to work smarter and more effectively.
Secure, proven, trusted engineering. Integrating seamlessly with our assets. Collecting and communicating data from remote locations in the most demanding of environments.
Ovarro works with customers and our global partner network across Water, Oil & Gas, Broadcast and Transportation to manage their assets efficiently, intelligently and collaboratively.
Where we supply to
UK Ireland, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America
Industries we supply to
Automation, Chemicals, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, Recycling, Water and Wastewater
