(Wohlen CH / Stuttgart DE, November 2022) For many years, the buzzword “smart grid” has been the subject of speculation. It has often been associated with the term smart meter. And due to the multiple use without real resilient content, it has finally lost its power. It was “virtually” already used up before it could be implemented as a whole and in terms of content.

Today, however, things look quite different. The topic of the smart grid is once again gaining great importance in terms of content in the close context of actual “digital grid management”. The renewable energy forms (e.g. PV systems, battery storage, wind turbines, etc.), massive other consumption technologies (e.g. hydrogen generation, large-scale DC applications, heat pumps, etc.) as well as the often high age of the existing assets, play an essential role.

Not only that, the distribution network operators as well as the consumers have to cope with skyrocketing energy prices as well as an energy shortage. As a result, measures to improve energy efficiency with an optimal CO2 balance are becoming increasingly important. Consequently, the focus on active network management and supply-secure network operation is intensifying. A forward-looking network management for the distribution network in the low-voltage range, in addition to possibly existing network management systems in the medium-voltage level, appears to be essential.

All this has prompted the two established companies, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG and Fichtner IT Consulting, to join forces. In the process, high-quality and fundamental measurement data are combined with intelligent digital grid management in an application-oriented manner.

The concept of the two established companies Camille Bauer Metrawatt and Fichtner IT Consulting describes a safe path based on well-founded and market-tested core components. In doing so, one builds on the fundamental definition of a smart grid as described, for example, by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy.

In short: operate the existing network digitally and thus cleverly avoid expensive expansion using a lot of valuable resources (e.g. copper). In other words, a smart grid.

Since the cooperation involves the use and combination of proven and innovative technologies, it is advisable to proceed step by step. In doing so, both companies build on fundamental scalability to:

(A) not to overstretch the customers’ budget

(B) generate productive benefits at an early stage

(C) ensure further expansion along current needs

As a consequence, the two companies propose a sequence of project implementation in four steps:

1. Secure measurement at the low voltage level to establish reality by means of transparency of the networks in real time.
2. Generate a complete digital network image deriving the network situation and topology from existing sources.
3. Presentation of an interactive visualization of the measured values at the measuring points and the resulting network situation in the network diagram (network cockpit).
4. Finalization of a topological end result with the provision of analyses, forecasts and automations about the further development in the network. And this specifically for the respective departments.

The benefit: Costs for hardware, control room software, extra copper in the ground, and ultimately significantly reduce the amount of work involved or, wherever possible, avoid it altogether.

Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG is a Swiss medium-sized company for the development, production and marketing of industrial measurement technology. Camille Bauer offers customer- and application-oriented solutions in the segment of electrical monitoring and position sensors. This includes a high understanding of the needs for electrical power generation, energy distribution as well as industrial consumers. With its Swiss claim to the highest quality and its high innovative strength, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG provides its customers with measurable benefits.