WindNODE – Model region for the German “Energiewende” - Stromnetz Berlin GmbH

How can we efficiently unite renewable energy generation, electricity grids and energy users through digital networking? To find answers to this question Stromnetz Berlin actively participate in a funding program called “WindNODE”...

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How can we efficiently unite renewable energy generation, electricity grids and energy users through digital networking? To find answers to this question Stromnetz Berlin actively participate in a funding program called “WindNODE”. The distribution system as a basis for the energy transition – we develop infrastructural solutions to make new products possible and to connect partners.

  • As a ‘Smart City’, we can make a worthwhile contribution to the energy transition by connecting the sectors and mobilising flexible loads. This cross linking is for the most part realised at the distribution level. As such, the requirements and responsibility of the distribution system operators increase, as do the demands for the digitisation of the grid. As a local system operator, it is furthermore our responsibility to inform our customers and enable them to participate in the energy transition.
  • We are improving technologies as well as our information offer:  the focus lies on the measurement by means of smart metering systems, the management of flexible loads, a digitisation of the low voltage grid, the integration of electromobility as well as sector coupling in general. As an innovation platform, we are expanding the offer of (open) data and provide an Open Data Platform as well as organise ‘Hackathons’ in the scope of WindNODE. We are also developing an educational game: ‘Understanding Electricity’.
  • In four years, different types of flexibility in the distribution system will be mobilised and become visible. The low voltage grid becomes easier to monitor and flexibility can be used to support the systems in coordination with transmission system operator 50Hertz. In doing so, we support new, digital business models in our capacity of distribution system operator and metering point operator by means of our infrastructure and as such help to promote sector coupling as well as flexibility options with a smart grid. Last but not least, Open Data and Hackathons inspire new ideas.

Our main Workstreams

  • Open Data Portal
    In this project, Stromnetz Berlin is developing its existing grid data portal into an open data portal together with Fraunhofer FOKUS. This portal provides detailed public data as well as private data in an anonymised and aggregated form, for instance about individual city districts or user groups. This also allows us to exploit new data sources and integrate them into the open data portal. In order to promote new applications and business models through this expanded database, we organise several community events, such as Hack Days, with programmers, creative individuals and young start-ups. At each event, we award prizes for the best exploitation ideas for the new open data offerings and applications and support the implementation of selected ideas
  • Online measuring system for secondary substations substations
    In order to plan grid development at the distribution level, we have to know the load factor of secondary substations. However, the measuring methods that are currently used will not be conclusive enough for the future energy system. At the same time, insights about the decentralised feed-in of energy from renewable sources is becoming increasingly important for us, as local energy flows can arise at the medium and low-voltage level that are no longer visible for measurement in the substations. That is why we need to equip the secondary substations with a new measuring system. In this project, Stromnetz Berlin is developing an online measuring system as a mature system operator standard that takes into account all technical and operational requirements
  • Application scenarios for smart metering systems (iMSys) at customers with a standard load profile and steering/ swarm operation at the low voltage level to support the grid
  • In this project, Stromnetz Berlin, Bosch SI, Fraunhofer IEE and devolo study how data protection, data security and the interoperability of measuring systems can be guaranteed and as such lay the groundwork to leverage flexibility and efficiency potentials at the end consumer side. In order to monitor and predict the data measured by smart metering systems, we are bringing corresponding software to market maturity. Additionally, we evaluate how adequate various communication infrastructures are to support smart metering systems, in particular through bidirectional connections, within different application scenarios. Our analyses are based on the iMSys installation requirements (annual consumption over 6,000 kWh) as well as pilot installations of multiple partners; in total, at least 10,000 iMSys with a protection profile are integrated at Stromnetz Berlin alone.
  • In the Berlin distribution grid, Stromnetz Berlin and Bosch SI are testing a central signal for forecast deviations at the transmission system level. Decentralised installations connected to the low voltage grid can react to this signal and as such automatically mitigate short-term deviations from the forecast. In the process, we study both demand side management and demand response at the low voltage level from a technical point of view and economically assess the results. Additionally, we study and compare different ICT technologies to transmit the control information. Our aim is to determine the costs of such a function and provide end consumers with economic products.
  • Understanding Electricity
    Under the working title ‘Understanding Electricity’, Stromnetz Berlin is working together with TU Berlin (EnSys) to develop fun experimental formats to give end consumers a better understanding of the smart energy system, teach them how to efficiently manage energy and enable them to participate. In the scope of the project, we create interactive ‘educational games’ and we plan to publish a textbook. Finally, students and artists are working on projects, objects, films and comics dealing with the WindNODE themes. In this approach, we use artistic and cultural means to make the social transformation connected to the energy transition tangible and understandable. In addition, we also offer possibilities to experience and participate.

https://www.stromnetz.berlin/en/technology-innovations/projects/windnode

https://www.windnode.de/en/partners/