The future of electricity grids and network operators
Smart and digital electricity grids for network operators ready to innovate
Energy flexibility
Technology and electrical networks
Traditional electrical networks, designed in a pre-digital era to meet linear and unidirectional energy needs, are now faced with the necessity to evolve. This transformation is driven by the acceleration towards energy transition and the emergence of new models of energy production and consumption.
These new decentralization paradigms require advanced technological integration, focusing on renewable generation, energy storage efficiency, dynamic demand management, and the optimization of transmission and distribution through digital solutions.
Until recently, the shape and structure of the energy system were almost exclusively dictated by regulatory and legislative fronts.
In the current scenario, technology becomes a decisive driver in shaping the electrical networks of the future and rewriting the ways all stakeholders are involved.
The Electrical Grids of the Future
Over time, there has been a decisive shift in the composition of electrical networks. This is a radical transformation evolving from monolithic systems to complex, interconnected structures that leverage advanced software, physical and digital infrastructures, security components, and data analytics. This evolution requires an organizational rethink that prioritizes functionality and interoperability over mere load capacity.
Today's networks increasingly integrate various levels, including software, physical components, commercial aspects, security, and information management.
Previously, standardization was required of the physical network; now, it resides in the cloud and data. Energy network operators are rethinking and recalibrating their network management activities, a shift that entails a change in mindset and viewpoints, such as:
- Organization:The need to revise network organization, moving from an approach based on voltage levels to one focused on classes of activity. This requires strategic rethinking of the network's structure and operation, emphasizing specific functions rather than traditional voltage parameters.
- Components:Emphasizing smart digital components over the use of analog components and their way of interacting with the network.
- Data:Transitioning from a static data management model to a dynamic model, focused on the collection and use of prescriptive data to improve operational decisions.
The electrical networks of tomorrow will, therefore, be substantially different from those of today. There will be a paradigm shift involving various aspects and actors, starting with the number of production centers. We will move from a few centralized fossil fuel power plants to a large number of decentralized power plants, both large and small, utilizing renewable energy. The yield of these new plants will differ from that of traditional plants, starting from the kilowatt level, and it will become important to manage the differences related to fluctuations since renewable energies are based on variable weather conditions. In future electrical networks, we will also see an increase in the number of network injection points and the number of actors involved.
There will also be a shift in the degree of responsibility of the network manager, who becomes legally responsible for the proper functioning of production sources within the energy system.
Architecture of future electrical networks: Interconnectivity and digital intelligence
The ongoing transformation implies not only the adoption of advanced computer technologies but also a new organizational and operational conception of networks. The priority thus shifts to intelligent and dynamic energy management and the correct integration and balancing of all sources of production, consumption, and storage.
A smarter network infrastructure requires a high degree of digitalization, including the implementation of smart components and advanced data analysis systems, to support predictive and proactive energy management. The standardization and interoperability of data in the cloud actually enable optimizing operational decisions in real-time, improving the efficiency and resilience of the system.
The transition from analog components to intelligent digital solutions enables an energy infrastructure capable of self-regulation, real-time monitoring, and automatic response to fluctuations in demand and supply, essential for integrating intermittent renewable sources.
Additional changes play a fundamental role in the dynamics of interaction within smart grids, such as the establishment of the Prosumer, the expansion of electric mobility, and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G).
Prosumer
The concept of the prosumer, individuals or entities that produce and consume energy, represents a critical component of the energy system transformation. Through the adoption of photovoltaic panels, storage systems, and other renewable technologies, prosumers contribute to stabilizing the grid, while also offering new market opportunities and innovative business models.
Smart grids play a fundamental role in facilitating the interaction between prosumers and the traditional electricity grid. Through the use of advanced communication technologies and the implementation of intelligent networks, it is possible to monitor and regulate energy production and consumption in real time, thus improving the efficiency and safety of the grid. This entails the need to invest in digital infrastructures that support the bidirectionality of energy flow and the active participation of prosumers in the energy market.
Besides offering economic benefits to prosumers, this new form of participation also helps to reduce transmission and distribution losses, improving the overall efficiency of the energy system and environmental conditions.
Evolution of electric mobility
Electric mobility represents one of the key elements in the strategy of the energy transition. This rapidly expanding segment not only significantly contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions but also acts as a catalyst for technological innovation and the transformation of energy infrastructures. The increase in the adoption of electric vehicles stimulates the development of advanced and integrated charging infrastructures, crucial for supporting a sustainable energy network. Electric mobility, in addition to contributing to decarbonization, acts as a catalyst for innovation in the energy infrastructure sector, promoting intelligent solutions for demand management and the integration of renewable sources.
In conclusion, the future of electrical networks requires a holistic approach that combines technological innovation, adaptive business models, and targeted incentive policies. Only through joint commitment and strategic vision will it be possible to achieve
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)
Vehicle-to-Grid technology represents an extension of electric mobility that allows electric vehicles (EVs) to interact with the electricity grid in a bidirectional manner.
The practical implementation of V2G requires advanced charging infrastructures capable of supporting bidirectional communications and energy transfers. These charging stations, connected to intelligent grids, must be equipped with interface technologies capable of managing complex communication protocols, ensuring efficient and secure energy flow between vehicle and grid. Similarly, EVs must be equipped with battery management systems (BMS) that support energy decoupling, ensuring battery longevity during charging and discharging operations.
V2G can help stabilize the grid by providing ancillary services such as frequency regulation and capacity reserve. Furthermore, it contributes to optimizing the use of renewable energies, allowing the storage of green energy during overproduction hours and its return to the grid during peak demand periods. This also implies potential economic savings for EV owners, who can monetize the energy returned to the grid.
What will make a difference is the standardization of communication systems between vehicles and charging infrastructures, the management of privacy and data security, and the definition of sustainable business models that incentivize both network operators and end users.
These significant changes represent the key elements of the transition towards a more flexible and interconnected energy system.
The future of electrical networks thus requires a holistic approach for a significant transition that can only be achieved through the coordinated development of advanced technologies, supportive infrastructures, and a favorable regulatory and market context.
