EMN Smart Electricity Grids | Newsletter Issue 2 | September 2022

Leading the way to a climate resilient future

Smart electricity grids are becoming an increasingly central focus of the European Union's Green Deal objectives to secure a low-carbon, sustainable energy future. EURAMET's European Metrology Network (EMN) for Smart Electricity Grids is a European-wide single point of contact that provides stakeholder support for smart grids-related measurement challenges.

This is the 2^nd issue of the EMN Smart Electricity Grids newsletter. You are receiving this newsletter as you have registered for it. As always, please feel free to share the newsletter with your contacts and invite them to subscribe. We hope you enjoy reading it!

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SMART GRIDS COMMUNITY:

The new point of access to the whole range of EMN knowledge, capabilities and research activities in the field of smart electricity grids is now live.

The EMN is thrilled to announce the launch of its new website: a virtual knowledge hub providing access to a wide range of metrological knowledge and expertise produced through years of collaborative European smart grids-related research projects. The website also provides easy access to the results from these cutting-edge research activities, tackling the main strategic research themes.

Research results, peer-reviewed scientific publications, and smart grids metrology case studies are freely accessible on the website. The website will be constantly updated to include the most up-to-date results and key information about upcoming events and news.

Do you want to know the future of the electricity sector? Visit the new website here >>

The electricity grid is expected to fully implement its transformation into a smart grid in the next 25 - 30 years. But this transformation cannot happen without an underpinning metrological measurement infrastructure.

The key issue is the full understanding of grid behaviour, which requires tools for observation and control. This includes methods for monitoring the grid, tools for determining grid quality, and revenue metering systems to ensure fair trade between commercial parties employing the grid.

To spread knowledge and share good practice on specific skills, Politecnico di Torino and INRiM jointly organised an excellence training course (from 9 - 25 May 2022). Presented by members of EMN Smart Grids, this virtual course successfully provided both an overview of the general measurement challenges related to smart grids, as well as focused training on selected key measurement topics.

In total, more than 50 people attended the training, with a large fraction of attendees being PhD or Masters students, as well as representatives from both European and North & South American National Metrology Institutes.

See past event info >>

The completed EMPIR project 'TrafoLoss' has made essential contributions to improving the reliability of transformer & reactor loss tests in the power transformer industry.

The project has established highly accurate loss measurement systems (LMS) for transformers and reactors, and developed prototype devices that significantly reduce measurement uncertainty of industrial LMS. By enabling European manufacturers to produce high-quality electricity grid components and demonstrate compliance with the ecodesign regulations, manufacturers will be able to make steps toward meeting the EU’s Green Deal energy objectives.

Read the full story here >>

COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS RELATED TO THE EMN:

The increasing use of electric vehicles, renewable generation and efficient electrical products has led to a build-up of conducted interference on the electricity grid.

Currently, interference in the range of frequencies between 2 kHz to 150 kHz is not regulated, and so the recently completed EMPIR project ‘SupraEMI’ developed a new measurement method to underpin future standardisation and regulations.

Read more about the project >>

Driven by the need for increased efficiency, transmission grid voltages have been pushed to ultra-high voltages (UHV) beyond 1000 kV. However, this requires testing and monitoring beyond voltage levels currently covered by available metrology infrastructures.

The EMPIR project 'FutureEnergy' is realising metrology solutions for grid component testing and condition monitoring, to support future UHV transmission grids. Specifically, the project is creating critical metrology infrastructure in four areas: reliable and traceable lightning impulse measurements above 2500 kV; extended traceability of Ultra-High Voltage Direct Current up to at least 1600 kV; improved High Voltage Alternating Current traceability; and development of partial discharge measurement techniques.

Read more about the project >>

The integration of renewable electricity into existing energy distribution systems is an essential step towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. However, this integration can also damage power quality (PQ). To reduce grid currents and voltages down to a level that is compatible with PQ measuring instruments requires the use of Instrument Transformers (ITs). 

At present, there are no existing standards to characterise IT measurements of power quality. Therefore, the EMPIR project 'IT4PQ' is developing performance indices, reference measurement systems and test procedures to quantify accuracy and uncertainty limits for ITs. Guidelines and recommendations for calibration will also be provided to IEC TC 38 instrument transformers.

Read more about the project >>

The reliability of high voltage electricity grids depends on the adequate testing of grid components. EMPIR project 'HV-com²' is developing the necessary metrology required for the standardisation of high voltage testing with composite and combined wave shapes.

To address the current lack of traceability, traceable measurement systems and calibration services will be developed for composite and combined wave shapes - including high voltage dividers, measurement instruments, calibrators and software for superimposed voltage shapes (e.g. High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) or High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)). Project input will also be provided to IEC TC 42 ‘High voltage and high-current test techniques’, which revises relevant standards.

Read more about the project >>

At present, the renewable energy sector is still competing with fossil fuel sources in terms of energy production costs. To ensure wind turbines are cost competitive, there needs to be a way to reliably determine efficiency. While a standardised power curve determination for wind turbines is available, the associated field tests can be time consuming and costly.

Therefore, the EMPIR project 'WindEFCY' is developing missing methods and transfer standards for a traceable efficiency determination of all relevant mechanical and electrical components of wind turbines on nacelle test benches. Project outputs will strengthen the industrial competitiveness of the wind technology sector and help to provide a more reliable comparability of wind turbine components, leading to a quicker development cycle and a shorter time to market. 

Read more about the project >>

The increasing use of distributed energy generation and storage has led to local DC trial grids becoming an extension to traditional AC distribution networks. Like AC grids, DC grids must fulfill power quality (PQ) limits to guarantee reliable operation. However, knowledge about PQ in public DC systems and its impact on electricity metering is currently lacking, as is the related metrology and standardisation.

The EMPIR project 'DC grids' aims to address these issues, in response to needs expressed by several working groups. This project’s goal is the traceable measurement and characterisation of PQ parameters to support the development of DC grids and to ensure future customer confidence.

Read more about the project >>

EMN FOR SMART GRIDS MEMBERS AND CONTACTS:

An overview of Smart Electricity Grids Members and Contact Persons can be found at the network's website >>

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Disclaimer
Project information and links published in the current issue of the EURAMET newsletter are correct to the best of EURAMET's knowledge and in accordance with the current state of the art. EURAMET cannot be held responsible for the sufficiency or fitness for purpose of any information.The technologies presented in this newsletter may be covered by intellectual property rights.