What is the principle

There is great dynamism in the energy sector, from generation to distribution and offtake at the low-voltage level. However, this dynamism is also associated with great uncertainties. These are reflected in issues of seemingly limitless technologies, e.g. in measurement technology, in system software, AI, new (virtual) services, etc.

On top of this, it should be noted that the energy transition must be mastered with a very large stock of assets, i.e., existing assets at distribution network operators as well as consumers. This immediately raises the question of money, i.e. the level of investment. After all, the expenses associated with an energy transition can increase enormously without generating any benefits.

Thus, the question of costs and benefits, which often cannot be answered so simply, is fundamental. New business models are emerging or have not even been considered conventionally. Start-ups play a major role here, although traditional companies such as Camille Bauer also have answers at the ready. So all in all, a very dynamic world, whose complexity is increasingly intensified and requires good solutions through efficiency with effectiveness.

The challenges in detail

• The push of the energy transition is inevitable (politically, socially, ecologically, economically)
• Geopolitical factors put enormous stress on our energy policy
• Consumers are increasingly becoming producers (prosumers)
• Decentralized feed-ins put a strain on the grids (e.g., through PV feed-in without counter-load)
• The electrical load on the grids is increasing rapidly (e.g. due to heat pumps, e-mobility, air conditioning, hydrogen production, etc.)
• Growing stakeholder groups (regulatory, environmental, political, social, customers, TSOs, etc.)
• New disorder on the formerly electric one-way street = bidirectional networks with many nodes
• Shortage of skilled workers inevitably leads to «inactivity»
• Sharply increasing complexities (technical, IT connectivity, regulatory, commercial, etc.)
• More and more information and data creates non-usable data lakes
• Mains quality (aka power quality) suffers due to dynamic EMC influences (interference, outages, defects, etc.)
• Cyber attacks in all areas are increasing rapidly

Possible conclusions in detail

• Technology support is needed
• Beneficial digitization of existing infrastructures is imperative
• Meaningful «transparency» in low-voltage networks must be established
• A targeted handling of data for systemic processing & use is substantial
• A cyber security OT must be applied holistically down to the field level (measurement level)
• Meaningful applications for visualization and automation become fundamental
• A future-oriented system openness versus limitations must be considered
• Provide for future-oriented scalability in the context of technology, applications and budget
• Create individual services with standardized modules

Mastering the energy transition – a solution approach with wireless measurement technology

Establish basic transparency

Since the energy turnaround has to be mastered to a large extent with existing plants (assets), technologies are needed that can be retrofitted into plants as efficiently as possible. In order to realize this, the wireless technology of Camille Bauer was virtually brought into the life of the energy transition.

The standard measuring instruments of the SINEAX^® AMx000, LINAX^® PQx000, SINEAX^® DM5000 and CENTRAX^® CUx000 series, in addition to their function as measuring instruments, are equipped with a data concentrator. This data concentrator connects quasi automatically with the wireless sensors of the PME series and maps the low voltage system on distribution level. The standard measuring instruments can be mixed with their data concentrators as desired and according to the use case.

Due to the connectivity openness, many connections to higher-level or parallel systems are possible (e.g. SCADA, BMS, energy management ISO5000x, energy monitoring, smart grid applications, power quality and energy monitoring, etc.). PME sensors of 25 x 4PN or 33 x 3P are possible per data concentrator. Per system, up to 4 data concentrators in close proximity, i.e. up to 100 (4PN) / 132 (3P) feeders can be seamlessly recorded based on Bluetooth technology.

Your advantages and benefits summarized

• Establishment of a clear transparency of the low voltage level
• Build scalable systems very quickly and easily
• SCADA and energy monitoring systems can be set up efficiently and easily (e.g. with SmartCollect^® SC2)
• Automation can be initiated by the metering system (e.g. according to §14a EnWG, etc.)
• Complete Smart Grid applications can be applied (e.g. with SmartCollect^® SC2, Fichtner Digital Grid, EVUlution, etc.)
• Cybersecure systems can be built (e.g. with the system from BentoNet (ISO270001))
• By means of cyber protection features, access to measurement data at any time
• Scalability of measurement technology and applications possible at any time = compatible investment over time
• Future viability through open and state-of-the-art technology
• Performance and network quality make the grid transparent for you
• You use standard measurement devices with further development and no niche products
• A roll-out is based on your experience and can therefore be designed optimally

Fields of application

As already described at the beginning, the system is ideal for subsequent integrations. Here are some of the application areas for mastering the energy transition, not exhaustively formulated:

• Critical low-voltage infrastructures of distribution  grid operators, e.g. for the development of smart grids
• Industrial infrastructures of low voltage, e.g. in the automotive, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, packaging, etc. sectors
• Industrial infrastructures at energy-intensive large-scale consumers, e.g. cement, aluminum, steel, ceramics, etc
• Data centers, e.g. at insurance companies, distribution grid operators, banks, high-performance data centers, government agencies, etc.
• Health, e.g. hospitals, university clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, etc.
• Mobility, e.g. charging infrastructure, airports, rail transport, etc.
• Commercial infrastructure, e.g. shopping centers, hotels, etc.
• For Germany as an aid to the application of paragraph §14a EnWG
• etc.

Mastering the energy transition: A metrological use case with wireless measurement technology