• Distribution system operators are directly affected by changes in the energy world (political, technical, monetary)
• Rapid development from a formerly centralized to a highly dynamic decentralized energy system
• Quasi-blind flight” prevails at grid level 7 (low voltage)
• Load flow in connection with power quality receives only limited attention
• The impact on our infrastructures is massive
• Establish a reference scenario to represent and deal with uncertainties.
• Shortage of energy due to new and extremely high demands
• Decision for a correct investment
• Use of data (e.g. smart meters) in compliance with data protection guidelines
• etc.

Combination of network expansion and intelligence

• Use of modern monitoring systems in combination with intelligent control systems
• We use monitoring systems and intelligent control to provide our customers with an efficient, intelligent network – a smart grid
• Measurements and data analysis help to monitor local loads and avoid bottlenecks in the future
• Asymmetrical phase occupancy is increasing and will be actively remedied in the future

The benefit for ewz as well as its customers

• Transparency in network level 7 through the combination of hardware and software
• Determination and display of network conditions in the low-voltage network
• Combination of network expansion and intelligence, since a pure expansion of the conventional network in an urban environment is very expensive and hardly feasible in terms of time
• By using intelligent solutions, both current and future challenges will be mastered so that ewz can continue to ensure a reliable and cost-efficient power supply for customers in the future
• ewz provides its customers with a high-performance and intelligent network – a smart grid

1. Step: Acquiring the measurement data
   • Building (Smart Meter)
   • Transformer stations (load flow and power quality in real-time)
2. Step: Communication
   • City-wide fiber-optic network, all buildings and all transformer stations connected
   • Building Gateway, interface fiber-optic network <–> smart meter (ewz self-developed)
3. Step: Computable network model
   • Linking GIS and ERP information
   • Daily and automated update of the digital twin from the power grid
4. Step: Monitoring and control platform grid level 7 (low voltage)
   • Use of the Venios Energy Platform (VEP) to link the measurement and master data
   • Load flow calculation for the simulation and representation of network conditions in the low-voltage network

1. Measure in real time with LINAX® PQ5000CL
   • Load flow
   • Power reserves
   • Power Quality (U/I)
2. Analyze / Decide
   • Reduce power peaks
   • Optimization of ripple control
   • Ensure voltage/current quality
3. Act
   • Load management (heat pumps, batteries, e-mobility, etc.)
   • Production management / redispatch (PV, batteries, CHP, etc.)
   • Grid expansion – only according to necessity

Fundamental measurement technology from “bottom up” forms the basis for cellular energy systems and thus also smart grids in order to be able to stabilize grids (e.g., due to prosumer behavior, switching off grid mass, etc.). For ewz on the way to a smart grid, not only scalability is important for this, but also absolute future viability, e.g. through flexible connectivity, function adaptations, etc.

ewz on the way to a Smart Grid proposes a certified power quality measurement and power analysis up to 32 channels in the sub-distribution. Signal processing is implemented on the LINAX® PQ5000CL series measuring device. There, the respective current measured values of the so-called Current Link modules are processed. Thanks to the Current Link technology, the individual Current Link modules and their sensors (Rogowski) are networked in a scalable manner by means of a signal loop via coaxial cables. This reduces the installation effort to an absolute minimum and ensures professional cable routing.

In addition, this measuring system for determining power quality and load flows is extremely cost-efficient and metrologically certified on top. Thus, the scalable measuring instrument virtually combines the areas of transducers according to IEC 60688, power metering and monitoring according to IEC 61557-12 as well as power quality instruments according to IEC 62586-1.

LINAX® PQ5000CL

• Metrologically certified PQI according to IEC 61000-4-30 Ed. 3 class A as basic device
• A scalable system for certified power quality as well as for load and efficiency management for up to 10 channels (32 wires)
• An optional basic current measurement (e.g. directly after the transformer) with a high accuracy due to current transformer sensors
• 3P or 3PN via Current Link per feeder (max. 32 currents)
• One measurement campaign time-synchronized with multiple feeders in contrast to traditional measurement per feeder
• Direct conformity reporting and event display through PQEasy reporting via web browser (e.g. according to EN50160)
• Fault recording of voltage events (IEC 61000-4-30 Ed. 2), optionally with time-synchronized currents of the individual channels (IEC 61000-4-30 Ed. 3)
• Time-synchronous load management for U/I/P/Q/cosφ
• Current measurement per Current Link channel up to 1’000A and overcurrents up to 20’000A
• Network tariff meter P & Q (purchase & delivery)
• Upgrading for control tasks in the smart grid (e.g. power quality grid utilization)
• System management via a user-friendly multi-device tool for easy commissioning and efficient maintenance
• Large distribution systems (outlets) are continuously monitored with only one metrologically certified measuring system
• Low space requirement & low wiring effort based on the scalable current sensors
• Switching off the plant for installation of the measuring system is not necessary due to the non-invasive Rogowski measuring technique (Attention: Observe occupational health & safety)
• Very high robustness due to proven coaxial principle
• Current values are time synchronous to voltage (IEC 61000-4-30)
• An open communication system enables high flexibility of connection to parallel as well as higher-level systems
• Fast roll-out with robust measurement technology

1. Transparency
   Link data from individual applications. Create computable networks and recognize sources of error in the upstream systems. Combine model data and measured values as desired. Visualize network structure and network state in real-time.
2. Taxes
   Optimized control of flexibilities. Controllable local network transformers for voltage adjustment. Control of charging stations via load forecasts. Counteracting grid bottlenecks by calling up flexibilities.
3. Forecast
   Load forecasts for the next day. Network condition forecasts to detect bottlenecks at an early stage. Create scenarios for future network situations incl. simulation of switching operations. Precise forecasts based on measurement data and algorithms. The basis for planning.
4. Planning
   Automate processes. Plant connection: easy handling, precise output. Detect network bottlenecks early and act intelligently. Asset Manager: derive actions from current conditions.
5. Partner applications
   The Venios ecosystem offers a multitude of use cases, whose enormous added value only arises from the intelligent networking of partner and customer applications with different functions.

High-quality and fundamental measurement data with maximum flexible connectivity

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 field 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.

Generic measurement, control and regulation system for the power grid of tomorrow

Our energy world is increasingly changing into a highly dynamic decentralized system, which poses new challenges for local power grids in particular. In addition, the merging of consumer and producer requires new business models. Both challenges require new information and targeted data handling. Therefore, the digitalization of the power grids is inevitable. We, the EVUlution AG, have set ourselves the goal to accompany the grid operator with the help of our technology on the way to the decentralized energy future, so that a reliable and economical operation of the power grids is guaranteed tomorrow.

Electricity supplier of the city of Zurich – ewz

The key to a sustainable energy future lies in the ability to innovate. That’s why we invest in renewable energies, in intelligent energy solutions and promote targeted innovations. By using our natural resources sustainably, we work with our partners and customers to ensure that future generations will also be able to use our energy resources and benefit from the rich diversity of life.

Outlook

In order to bring the high concentration of data even more in line with IoT-based data processing, MQTT offers a good alternative in the context of connectivity, in addition to the usual interfaces (e.g. IEC61850, Modbus, …).
MQTT [Source https://mqtt.org/; 22.01.2024]

MQTT is an OASIS standard messaging protocol for the Internet of Things (IoT). It is designed as an extremely “lightweight” publish/subscribe messaging transport, ideal for connecting remote devices with a small code footprint and minimal network bandwidth. MQTT is now used in a wide range of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, telecommunications, oil and gas, and most recently, power distribution. Here is a brief overview of the benefits:

• Low data volume and high efficiency
  MQTT clients are very small and require minimal resources, so they can be used on small microcontrollers. MQTT message headers are small to optimize network bandwidth.
• Bi-directional communication
  MQTT enables the transmission of messages between device and cloud and between cloud and device. This facilitates the transmission of messages to groups of things.
• Scaling to millions of things
  MQTT is scalable and can be connected to millions of IoT devices.
• Reliable message transmission
  The reliability of message transmission is important for many IoT use cases. For this reason, MQTT has 3 defined quality levels: 0 – at most once, 1 – at least once, 2 – exactly once
• Support for unreliable networks
  Many IoT devices connect via unreliable mobile networks. MQTT’s support for persistent sessions reduces the time it takes for the client to reconnect to the broker.
• Enabled security
  MQTT makes it easy to encrypt messages with TLS and authenticate clients with modern authentication protocols such as OAuth.

However, it should be noted that MQTT, despite its many advantages, also requires individualization (= effort = costs). It must be clearly defined in advance how and which data should be made available. As with other interfaces, MQTT is not the same as MQTT, which is currently still underestimated in terms of both time and money.