European guide to power system testing : the ERIGrid holistic approach for evaluating complex smart grid configurations

Abstract

A driving force for the realization of a sustainable energy supply in Europe is the integration of distributed, renewable energy resources. Due to their dynamic and stochastic generation behaviour, utilities and network operators are confronted with a more complex operation of the underlying power grids. Additionally, due to the higher flexibility on the consumer side through partly controllable loads, ongoing changes of regulatory rules, technology developments and the liberalization of energy markets, the system’s operation needs adaptation. Sophisticated design approaches together with proper operational concepts and intelligent automation provide the basis to turn the existing power system into a cyber-physical energy system, a so-called “Smart Grid”. Whereas transmission systems are already well equipped with sophisticated measurement devices and are centrally operated, the integration of renewable generators occurs mainly at the level of distribution networks, which used to be operated in a passive way until now. With smaller units at this grid level, the number of sub-systems and devices to be monitored and controlled is steadily increasing. While the application of modern scalable information and communication technology facilitates this integration, it also creates further coupling of engineering domains where little mutual interdependencies existed before. Challenged by this development, new methodologies and practices must be developed. Viewing the electric energy infrastructure in its entirety as a cyber-physical, critical infrastructure, such new methodologies and practices will have to ensure that the classical high-reliability, real-time operation, and regulatory requirements can be met also in the future.