The role of gas in smart grids

This topic focuses primarily on the role of gas in the balancing of the electricity market and optimising energy systems. In this topic applicable questions include: How can smart solutions contribute to efficiency; what is technically possible; what is best in terms of economy and what legislation is applicable?

Smart grids, smart grids, smart grids.... Everywhere you hear people talking about smart grids. It has become a buzz word to explain a variety of activities. Many market parties claim to do business in smart grids, ranging from developing smart meters to smart fridges and to decentralized power production with options like Combined Heat and Power (CHP), solar panels and wind turbines. The European Commission sees smart grids as a tool to stimulate an internal energy market and to facilitate increasing amounts of renewable energy¹. They will help Europe reach the 20-20-20 targets i.e. emit 20% less CO2 emissions, while increasing energy efficiency by 20% and increasing the share of renewable energy to 20% by 2020. The International Energy Agency (IEA) views smart grids as ‘critical for a secure, cost-effective, clean energy future’². The support for smart grids is clear, but the way forward is not. There are still many issues requiring a solution. One of the major issues is involvement of the consumer. How will acceptance be acquired and what will keep the consumer engaged in energy management? What is the role of the distribution operator, government, or the transmission operator? How will more international coordination and cooperation be stimulated and come to international standards to prevent the emergence of national or regional standards? How will the interests of all the stakeholders involved be aligned?

In preparing the grid for the future, massive investments by private parties are required. Coalitions are formed to share the risks and pool the skills of the partners to develop pilot projects on smart grids, such as the Smart Energy Collective. The project PowerMatching City recently published the first results of smart grid implementation in 25 households. Projects like these demonstrate that the developments of smart grids is still in the early stages.
Smart grids are often viewed as purely electricity grid management. However, parallel gas grids can probably provide higher efficiencies at lower costs.

Smart grids are considered a cornerstone of the EDIAAL programme. How can the current (gas and electricity) grids be used in an optimal manner? Is there a role for natural gas in smart grids? These questions and more will be addressed in a Smart Grids course which will be launched in the beginning of 2012. In addition, EDI will organize round-table events and seminars on regular basis to initiate discussions on smart grids related issues. This website will be constantly updated with the newest information and developments in the Smart Grid field.
 

¹http://ec.europa.eu/energy/gas_electricity/smartgrids/doc/20110412_press_summary.pdf
² http://www.iea.org/papers/2011/smartgrids_roadmap.pdf