Research & Innovation

The European Union’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the share of renewables and to place customers at the centre of the energy system cannot be achieved without smart forward-looking electricity grids. Research & Innovation (R&I) is therefore one of E.DSO’s main priorities to ensure a distribution grid that is fit for these demands.

E.DSO engages directly and through its Members in R&I projects and initiatives to facilitate the integration of new technologies and solutions for the energy system of the future. It is a major contributor of the European Technology & Innovation Platform on Smart Networks for the Energy Transition (ETIP SNET) and has been taking part in 12 EU-funded projects since 2010. It gathers knowledge from energy research by collecting findings and recommendations from its Members’ projects, participating in Advisory Boards and co-organising with ENTSO-E the annual InnoGrid conference. E.DSO also co-sponsors the Ana Aguado Scholarship that supports young talent in the energy sector.

5G

Medium Impact by 2030

5G is the next generation wireless network technology. It will be faster and able to handle more connected devices than the existing 4G LTE network. Key benefits of 5G are Ultra low latency (~1ms vs 100ms for 4G), Speed (Higher than 1Gbps vs 100Mbps for 4G) and Connectivity (~1 000 000 devices / km2 vs 100 000 for 4G). These developments are accompanied by disruptive technological choices opening up new possibilities:

• New frequencies and smart antennas capable of managing energy in point-to-point mode between user and radio relay (beamforming)
• Virtualization technologies: distributed architecture allowing direct local processing of data for faster local actions (distributed intelligence)
• Network slicing : management of different classes and types of services according to user needs

Highlights

In 2022, all EU countries have now commercial 5G service available at least in a part of the country. Close to 256,074 5G base stations are now active in the EU and approximately 72% of EU’s population is covered by at least one 5G network.

Challenges and opportunities for DSOs

• Production and Demand forecast : AI combined with classical solutions may improve forecast quality.
• DER / Flexibility : allow to handle the increasing complexity of networks control due to DER variability.
• Network development studies : AI enable the realization of network development studies accounting for technical constraints, technological and sociological hypothesis.
• Asset management : AI performances in image processing allow automatic diagnosis to enhance programmed renovation. AI learning capacity allows, in some cases, to perform predictive maintenance.
• Operation and employee support : AI could augment capabilities of maintenance technicians, customer advisors and support function employees.
• Network control : AI could augment capabilities of control rooms (fault location, DER integration). AI solutions will enable precise LV massive control.
• Asset management: sensors connected in 5g to network assets could help monitoring health index for safety, preventive maintenance and prevent thefts. combined with drones, 5G could facilitate components diagnosis.
• Operation: 5G could facilate remote crew supervision support and supervision on field.

EDSO opinions and views

• European DSOs usually rely on telecom operators and do not operate wide private telecom network.
• 2G and 3G shutdown could lead to faster implementation by DSOs of 5G based solutions.
• The decision of DSOs to use 5G to control critical assets will depend on reiability and resilience guaranteed levels.
• Energy impact of 5G roll out has to be documented as DSOs try to reduce their carbon footprint.
• Specific attention to cybersecurity issues will be necessary given the fact that many patents on 5G are held by non-european players. Furthermore 5G cybersecurity needs some significant improvements: secured routing points, eal time cybersecurity adapted to 5G speed, unsecured connected assets.

Hydrogen

Medium Impact by 2030

Today, hydrogen is almost exclusively used in industry, especially the chemical industry, metallurgy and refining. It is currently 96% produced from fossil fuels. Recent technological advances have imporved the yields and reliability of water electrolysis processes. Hydrogen can thus be produced from decarbonized or renewable electricity. As a consequence, the significant role of the hydrogen sector in the decarbonization of part of economy throgh its chaining with the electricity sector leads DSOs to study the impact of the development and intergration of H2 technologies and systems (electrolysers, storage, fuel cells in particular) in the electricity system.

Highlights

To meed the full projected hydrogen demand in Europe by 2050 (2150-2750 TWH), it would take about 2900 - 3800 TWh of electricity. Despite announcements of gigawatts of electrolysers being installed over the next decade, operational electrolyser capacity is yet to reach 100 MW across Europe. 48% of European electrolyser capacity in Germany, no other country has more than 10 MW installed today. Around one third of the installed capacity is providing some form of ancillary service to the electricity system.

Challenges and DSOs

• Connection : How big will electrolysers be ? Will they be close to RES based production or uses?
• Electricity comsumption : What uses are likely to develop? What will be the impact on electricity consumtion?
• Flexibility / Storage : What flexibility services could be provided and under what conditions?
• Operations: Impact of H2 assets on networks operation and security?
• Sector coupling: Is H2 a momenttum to sccelerate sector coupling?
• Network planning: what will be the impact on the development of electricity networks? How will the current plans to reinforce the grid to integrate EVs (high-power charges) be affected by the penetration of hydrogen in mobility?
• Environment : It should also be noted that the development of heavy mobility and h2 mobile generator can contribute to the decarbonization of our DSOs activities.

EDSO opinions and views

• For heavy transport, H2 could be a solution to decarbonize as we do not know today which will be the winning option between H2 and batteries. For light vehicles, clear choice has already been made in favor of batteries.
• There is no common view on electrolysers location. Most of EDSO members expect electrolysers to be installed next to electrical production site (particularly renewables). However, Some of them expect electrolysers to be installed in next to uses to avoid H2 transport and distribution.
• Considering gas transport and distribution, repots show that H2 can be quite easily put in modern gas pipelines. It will be more complicated for old pipes but still feasible.
• There is a common view that changing home appliances would be a tremendous challenge.

MVDC and LVDC networks

Medium Impact by 2035

Although the transmission and distribution of electricity is almost exclusively carried out in alternating current (AC), certain trends call for a reconsideration of the interest of direct current (DC): (1) renewable energies (PV and wind) and batteries (in particular EV) operate natively in DC, and the acceleration of renewable energies reinforces this interest, (2) the proportion of energy consumed in DC in the home is high (50% in 2018) and growing sharply ( 80% by 2030) and (3) innovation and falling costs in power electronics are making the use of DC increasingly economical. The use of direct current could make it possible to limit conversions on the distribution network, be a source of simplification and improve the energy efficiency of the electrical system.

Highlights

DC solutions, in particular for the distribution network, are arising great interest, with numerous demonstrators around the world and, it seems, a proactive industrial policy in China.

Standardization of DC networks is of critical importance (even more for LVDC to enable development of appliances). The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) have all started standardization work on MV and LV DC networks.

Challenges and opportunities for DSOs

• DC grids have several challenges to overcome : Protection systems and DC circuit breakers need further development.
• There is a genereal lack of standardization (especially in terms of voltage levels, ohter specifications, interoperability, commissioning procedures), and DC installation costs are currently hight due to the power converters that are required.
• Power converters are also still not as efficient as AC transforms and have a lower lifespan.
• Connection of wind or PV plants, storage units or charging stations : a DC connection could be a relevent solution from a technical-economic point of view...
• Microgirds : MVDC or LVDC or hybrid microgrids could develop
• Control of power flows : a DC line could make it possible to connect two areas by controlling the flows between them.

EDSO Considerations

• the DSOs should carry out the analyzes and implement the demonstrators necessary to identify the relevant use cases of the direct current links
• DSOs should master the technical and economic aspects of DC networks but also the regulatory aspects
• DSOs should mobilize to play an active role in the development of standards for DC distribution networks
• To ensure safety of operations (power protection and control,...) experience need to be gained via some pilot projects.

Robotics

Medium Impact by 2030

Robotics is used in multiple fields (industrial, agricultural, domestic, scientific, educational, medical, military, leisure, service, transport robotics, etc.). It is a science of technological integration at the crossroads of mechanics, electronics, computer science and networks, in particular communication. The desire to relocate production to Western countries and the aging of the population are drivers of the revival of robotics. Especially since the key technologies of robotics are experiencing spectacular advances: the rise of artificial intelligence, sophistication of sensors, improved battery efficiency, loT, 5G, etc.

Highlights

• The global industrial Robots Market was valued USD 45.1 Billion in 2021 and is all set to surpass USD 89.4 Billion by 2028. CHina has been the leading country in the industrial robot market for serveral years, with a revenue of more than 12 billion USD, accounting for 38% of the market share globally.
• Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, and yashakawa are the four major suppliers in the market, accounting for around 56% of the global market share.
• On the proposal of the chinese national committee, which will act as its secretariat, the IEC created a new technical committee on robotic systems for the electrical industry, including distribution networks.

Challenges and opportunities for DSOs

• Industrial robots are able to operate in high-rist environments (live work), support heavy loads, perform arduous tasks and be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Driven by an operator or autonomous and capable of adapting to their environment, they should enable DSOs to imporove health, safety and productivity.
• To date, robots are generally used in controlled and restricted areas. DSOs operation field are various and usually not completely controlled. Under these circumstances adaptation and security are major challenges.

EDSO Considerations

• DSOs must indentify tasks that can be robotized in their businesses in order to test available solutions, develop new ones and assess the associated gains and performance.
• Main usages for distribution networks could potentially be in tems of maintenance and inspection related.

Artificial Intelligence

Medium Impact by 2030

Artificial Intelligence is used in multiple fields (industrial, agricultural, domestic, scientific, educational, medical, military, leisure, service, transport robotics, etc.). It is a science of technological integration at the crossroads of mechanics, electronics, computer science and networks, in particular communication. The desire to relocate production to Western countries and the aging of the population are drivers of the revival of robotics. Especially since the key technologies of robotics are experiencing spectacular advances: the rise of artificial intelligence, sophistication of sensors, improved battery efficiency, loT, 5G, etc.

Highlights

• The global industrial Robots Market was valued USD 45.1 Billion in 2021 and is all set to surpass USD 89.4 Billion by 2028. CHina has been the leading country in the industrial robot market for serveral years, with a revenue of more than 12 billion USD, accounting for 38% of the market share globally.
• Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, and yashakawa are the four major suppliers in the market, accounting for around 56% of the global market share.
• On the proposal of the chinese national committee, which will act as its secretariat, the IEC created a new technical committee on robotic systems for the electrical industry, including distribution networks.

Challenges and opportunities for DSOs

• Industrial robots are able to operate in high-rist environments (live work), support heavy loads, perform arduous tasks and be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Driven by an operator or autonomous and capable of adapting to their environment, they should enable DSOs to imporove health, safety and productivity.
• To date, robots are generally used in controlled and restricted areas. DSOs operation field are various and usually not completely controlled. Under these circumstances adaptation and security are major challenges.

EDSO Considerations

• DSOs must indentify tasks that can be robotized in their businesses in order to test available solutions, develop new ones and assess the associated gains and performance.
• Main usages for distribution networks could potentially be in tems of maintenance and inspection related.