Smart grids

Present situation worldwide and in Switzerland

The term “smart grids” is currently the energy sector’s most frequently used. According to Switzerland’s Energy Strategy 2050, smart grids are key to balancing on the one hand electricity fed in from both traditional and distributed renewable energy sources and on the other hand distributed power consumption. Strongly fluctuating, weather-dependent electricity generation is a novel factor that in the medium term will put grid stability to the test in terms of voltage and frequency. This is due to the fact that, with electricity generated from many distributed renewable energy sources, feed-in locations and peaks only become known at short notice. Yet power grids are always designed to handle peak loads: taking into account peak loads for all new energy sources would call for an extension of distribution networks in the double-digit billion range. This is why efforts are focussed on smart network management.

A control system building on the use of data and communication technology will help meet these challenges. Smart measuring and metering systems are necessary to process data and ensure future grid stability. “Smart meters” are an important building block of the Energy Strategy 2050 and will gradually replace traditional energy meters; by 2028, the coverage rate should reach 80%. Data acquisition via smart meters should help balance grid fluctuations. In practice, this will work as follows: when a power surplus is detected, the smart grid activates additional consumers such as boilers to take on the overflow. In case of power shortage, electricity generation from traditional sources is stepped up. In future, cost-effective and reliable grid planning will play an important role. Fundamental rules and regulations are currently being established for the use and safety of data, especially load profile data that make it possible to draw inferences about consumer behaviour. It is equally important to conduct research on inexpensive and effective power storage in the context of smart grids that will influence future product design. Appliances, building technologies and charging stations for electric cars will become intelligent power consumers that communicate with smart grids and provide important information for network control. A major challenge facing distribution network operators will be the gap between the traditional physics of power transmission and the possibilities created by digitalisation.

Implications for Switzerland

Swiss energy supply is currently excellent. The Swiss Energy Strategy 2050 aims to curb rising electricity consumption, promote personal responsibility through increased awareness of individual use, and optimise consumption. With its technological know-how, Switzerland is very well equipped to successfully implement smart grids, even though research intensity in this field remains low. However, digitalisation leads to a disproportionate increase in complexity. Challenges include the massive proliferation, safe transportation and necessary encryption of data, as well as the management and control of networks using acquired data, all this in the context of a surge in private power feed-ins.