Europe is looking to increase its use of renewable energy sources as a way of reducing emissions and to tackle global warming.
However, integrating the likes of solar and wind power into electricity grids remains a challenge due to fluctuations in supply and limited storage capacity. This is an issue for power system operators who need to maintain security of electricity supplies to homes and industry.
Smart grids could provide an answer. They embrace a range of technologies, applications and infrastructures that can help manage power distribution systems more effectively and intelligently. While much of the research in this area has focused on specific aspects of smart grids, the EU-funded ERIGRID project took a more holistic approach, drawing together the work of researchers from across Europe.
‘Our project supports the technological development and roll-out of smart grid approaches, solutions and concepts in Europe by addressing system validation for smart grids,’ says project coordinator Thomas Strasser from the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology. ‘We are developing common methods, concepts and procedures by bringing together 18 European research centres and institutions with outstanding research infrastructures.’
To read the full article, click here.