Bacher Energie (Switzerland)

The use of a soft-open point (SOP) to interlink two LV networks in order to increase the PV hosting capacity has been investigated in a study preparing a pilot demonstration project within Romande Energie's (DSO in western Switzerland) grid. The contribution describes the selection of the location, the control mode and the size of the demonstrator based on the achievable improvement of the network performance in terms of voltage variations, cable / transformer loading and network losses. The size of the SOP has also been compared to the achievable distributed generation hosting capacity increase. The interface and protection of the SOP into the network is implemented using both local protection criteria and transfer tripping over a radio link. Simulations confirm that the chosen location and control mode for the SOP permit to achieve a more balanced utilisation of the available network capacity. Overall, more PV can be added to the network with no adverse effect on voltage quality or on the system's fault behaviour. On this basis, a demonstration SOP has been developed and tested in a laboratory environment. The final step has been to deploy the device into the distribution grid.

The increasing requirements on transient operation for power generation engines both in grid parallel and isolated operation mode pose a challenge for the development of large gas engines. The stability and reliability of small, isolated grids are determined by the non-stationary capabilities of the power suppliers, which are required to increase or reduce the load within a short period of time.

Neben der Nutzung der Abwarme von Dieselmotoren in Form mechanischer Energie kann eine Abwarmenutzung auch in Form thermischer Energie erfolgen. Beispiele hierzu sind die direkte Verwendung zur Beheizung von Gebauden, zur Brauchwassererwarmung aber auch zur Beheizung der Fahrgastkabinen von Kraftfahrzeugen. Eine besonders ressourcen- und umweltschonende Moglichkeit ist mit der Nutzung der Abwarme in Kraft-Warme-Kopplungsanlagen wie Blockheizkraftwerken, Dieselmotor-Warmepumpen, Verdichtermodulen und in Kraft-Warme-Kalte-Koppungsanlagen gegeben.

Distribution system operators (DSOs) face new challenges due to the growing installation of solar panels. In Switzerland, DSOs play a reactive role, ensuring that customers are able to install their photovoltaic panels (PV) while maintaining the quality of service on the network. This article presents an innovative approach that enables the DSOs to play a more proactive role in the transition of the energy system in Switzerland. With the presented tool, DSOs are able to digitally analyse the network for different scenarios, evaluate for each customer the potential of installing solar panels on their roof and automatically identify the optimal settings for the future PV installations, in order to permit customers to achieve a higher profitability and reduce the required network-investment costs. Even though the presented optimal settings could constrain the overall PV potential in the future, the inclusion of new technologies, such as heat pumps, batteries or electric cars, will allow larger installations to reach optimal profitable levels and therefore increase the overall PV generation.

This paper focuses on the characterisation of LV networks on the basis of the Power Snapshot Analysis by Meters method (PSSA-M). By using the active and reactive power synchronously measured with a Power Snapshot in a suitable network computation program, unexplored possibilities are offered in terms of network characterisation. An obvious added value of a better know-how of the actual network situation is that networks can be better used, and the suitability and benefits of smart grids solutions can be estimated. This paper provides the first results of network characterisation work.