Berlin, 19 October 2020 – The prototype for the digital low-voltage grid of the future has proven its practical suitability in a pilot project at the Rheinische NETZGesellschaft and RheinEnergie. In two low-voltage networks in Cologne, the PSI intelligent grid operator (PSIngo), an intelligent network status monitoring system for the network-based charging management of electric vehicles at public charging points, was successfully tested.
The previous charging infrastructure for electric mobility has been integrated into the grids without any problems. However, with an increasing number of charging points and simultaneous charging processes, overloading of local network transformers and low-voltage cables as well as voltage band violations can occur in the medium to long term. As an alternative to conventional grid expansion, it is possible to control charging processes with innovative smart grid technology to avoid bottlenecks, a procedure that has now been successfully tested in Cologne.
In the one-year pilot project, modern sensor technology (voltage and current meters) was installed at selected points in the grid. This provided the PSIngo intelligent grid operator with the necessary data for the reliable calculation and continuous monitoring of the network utilization in real time. The monitoring creates transparency about the network status. As a result, the operational reserves of conventional network design can be better utilized.
If too many charging processes were started simultaneously in a local network and limit values were violated, PSIngo immediately recognized the situation and ensured permanent network stability with low power adjustment of charging processes without overloading cables or transformers. In this way, PSIngo ensured transparency in the two local low-voltage networks and created the conditions for the further expansion of electro-mobility. This is a clear benefit for climate protection and air quality, not only in Cologne but also in the future throughout Germany.
“The successful digitization of the selected low-voltage networks in Cologne has clearly demonstrated that the complexity of the internal and external interfaces to be integrated can only be mastered through excellent teamwork and mature IT technology,” said Dr. Tobias Kornrumpf of the Rheinische NETZgesellschaft.
Based on its own software products, PSI Group develops and integrates complete solutions for optimizing the flow of energy and material for utilities (energy networks, energy trading, public transport) and industry (metals production, automotive, mechanical engineering, logistics). PSI was founded in 1969 and employs 2,000 persons worldwide.