The briefing, which was prepared by Beecham Research, indicates that out of 174.7 million LPWAN chipset shipments in 2022, 65.9 million were LoRa, while 22.4 million were NB-IoT, 45.4 million were LTE-M and the balance a combination of others including Sigfox and Wi-SUN.

By 2027, with growth expected of almost 20% per annum, shipments are projected to reach 424.8 million. Of these, 148.4 million are LoRa, 61.8 million NB-IoT, 107.1 million LTE-M and 107.5 million others.

(To give a broadly global picture, these numbers exclude China, which has adopted NB-IoT as the standard for massive IoT applications, whereas elsewhere a mixture of NB-IoT and LTE-M is offered by mobile operators).

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“Choosing the right connectivity technology for a use case is the most important decision an end-user will make,” states Donna Moore, chairwoman and CEO of the LoRa Alliance.

She comments that without the in-house expertise, solutions providers can help find the right-fit technology.

“Solutions providers analyse use cases, provide education on available technologies and allow project managers to envision the full scope of an IoT deployment. System integrators bring those ideas to life by integrating IoT sensor data into a platform that consolidates data from numerous end-user platforms.”

The briefing reviews the key features of LoRa as a long range, low power technology, initially developed for utility application, with the ability to penetrate concrete and steel and provide connectivity underground, but also finding application in smart building and smart city IoT use cases, particularly where low latency is not a key requirement.

As a result approximately 35-40% of all LoRaWAN deployments are estimated in the utility sector but the other sectors are increasing rapidly.

The briefing also reviews IoT use cases in the three sectors, with its use in the utilities sector for smart gas and water metering to improve the control and measurement of these commodities.

Current example projects cited include an over 3 million LoRa water meter digitalisation by Veolia and subsidiary Birdz in France and a Middle East utility harnessing low Earth orbit satellites with LoRaWAN to gain visibility on its approximately two million smart meters.

Smart building trends include an increasing emphasis on safety and comfort, with IoT applications such as HVAC and lighting control and air quality monitoring.

In cities, IoT applications include smart parking and street lighting, water and waste management and environmental sensing.

The company will operate for consumers in the US and Canada, aiming to unlock the potential offered by EVs for the electric power grid.

According to the partners in a press release, ChargeScape’s platform is designed to enable EVs to interact with the electric grid in ways that were not possible with traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

This includes managed charging and energy-sharing services that can provide financial benefits to EV owners. Specifically, ChargeScape’s platform intends to eliminate the need for individual integrations between automakers and electric utilities.

The platform will also provide utilities access to the energy stored in a large number of EV batteries. EV owners will then have the opportunity to earn financial incentives by charging their vehicles during times that are advantageous for the grid, thanks to flexible scheduling.

In the future, the platform will enable EV owners to contribute to grid stability during peak demand through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications.

Vehicle-to-grid communications

ChargeScape is expected to enhance the efficient use of EV batteries by providing energy data to electric utilities and system operators, including aggregated demand response, aligning charging with off-peak hours and promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

According to the partners, the establishment of ChargeScape aligns with the increasing adoption of EVs, which presents challenges to the electric grid due to higher electricity demand for charging.

The platform thus aims to provide energy management services to help support grid resiliency while looking to the future of V2G capabilities that will benefit both EV customers and electric utilities.

Moreover, ChargeScape aims to contribute to decarbonising the grid; the company’s efforts aims to reduce EV customers’ personal carbon footprints by utilising electricity that comes from more readily available renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar.

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“Electric grid reliability and sustainability are the foundation for an EV-powered future,” said Thomas Ruemenapp, vice president of engineering, BMW of North America.

“ChargeScape aims to accelerate the expansion of smart charging and vehicle-to-everything solutions all over the country, while increasing customer benefits, supporting the stability of the grid and helping to maximise renewable energy usage.”

Added Jay Joseph, vice president of sustainability & business development for American Honda Motor: “With automakers accelerating toward the electrified future, we must find solutions like ChargeScape that enable all stakeholders to work together for the good of our customers, society and our industry by enabling greater use of renewable energy for and from mobility.”

The collaboration builds on the Open Vehicle Grid Integration Platform (OVGIP), which provides a unified interface using communication protocols where all the components of the VGI (vehicle-grid integration) system can interact for managed EV charging.

ChargeScape, along with the work done to date with OVGIP, is expected to bring managed charging benefits to a wider range of EV owners. It will also reduce marketing and outreach costs for utilities seeking to connect with EV owners in their service areas.

BMW Group, Ford Motor Company and American Honda have direct, multi-channel communication with their EV customers through the platform, solving a central problem for utilities, they state, who typically do not have an easy way to identify the EV customers in their service territory.

The formation of ChargeScape is contingent on regulatory approvals and is expected to become operational in the near future.

Most of these households were in the outlying rural areas, which meant the usual method of revenue collection using post payment was going to be a huge challenge. It was decided to instead use the prepayment meter as the technology of choice to deliver this service.

Meters were manufactured and deployed into the field, but very soon after there were several problems discovered. None of these systems could talk to each other, and they all had varying levels of cryptographic security and functionality.

The solution was to have a system that allowed interoperability between these systems, whilst sharing the same level of state-of-the-art security. This is where the STS, or ‘Standard Transfer Specification’ was born.

It was developed based on an Eskom NRS specification, and essentially it defines the secure transfer of credit into a prepayment meter. One of the requirements for this was to encode every token created with a unique ‘Token Identifier’ or TID, which is then stored in the meter to prevent token replay – 1 Token, 1 Meter, Only once!

The STS system was so successful that it has now become the only globally accepted open standard for prepayment systems, with over 70 million STS certified meters in over 100 countries.

With the latest version of the specification, STS Edition 2, the doors are now opened to an exciting world of ‘Smart STS Systems’ with two-way communication and powerful smart meter functionality, all whilst retaining the proven STS standards.

Watch the video on STS Edition 2 here

STS, the only globally accepted open standard for prepayment systems.

Simple, Trusted & Secure.

Also on the radar are stats from BNEF showing how, in 2022, clean energy activities generated at least $2.56 trillion globally and the latest green bond from E.ON valued at a total of €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion).

Energy trading optimised by grid physics

US-based SESCO Enterprises has announced the use of a mathematical optimisation model to simulate market dynamics based on the transmission grid.

Namely, the power trader has signed on with Gurobi Optimisation LLC, which develops decision intelligence tech, to support their price optimisation.

As a trading firm in the energy markets, SESCO’s goal is to simulate the condition of the national grid, as well as consumer demand for the electricity it delivers.

These outputs simulate energy market dynamics and become inputs to the models SESCO has built to determine bid pricing at auction.

“The unique thing about electricity markets is that prices aren’t really determined by people buying and selling in an order book. Next-day prices are determined at the ISO (Independent System Operator) auction, where clearing prices are often set by the outcome of an optimisation solve – typically using tools like Gurobi,” explains Dylan Modesitt, chief investment officer of SESCO.

“So using the partial information we have, we try to determine what the optimal pricing would be.”

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SESCO’s business involves speculating on next-day electricity prices, as well as the longer-term forward markets for trading power.

“Our trading expertise is about the congestion component of price, which is the kind of pricing differential that arises from transmission lines being saturated at their limit,” explained Modesitt.

“And when transmission lines are saturated to some local limit, loss is going to emit as heat. So to avoid any kind of catastrophic failure, price signals are sent on either side of that transmission line. It’s a lot of demand speculation, and it requires an understanding of the actual physics of the grid.”

SESCO began building out mathematical models and used them to solve toy problems with another commercial solver.

However, states the trader, due to several million constraints and variables, either the incumbent solver was unable to find feasible solutions, or each solve simply took too long to be useful.

Hence the turn to Gurobi, which they state provides a solution that can capture the complex effects of the physical grid state as it impacts market outcomes.

Specifically, the advanced optimisation techniques used by Gurobi’s solver, states SESCO, improve the pricing precision and capital efficiency of their trading approach.

Listed global firms hit $2.56 trillion in clean energy revenues

According to analysis from BloombergNEF (BNEF), in 2022 clean energy activities generated at least $2.56 trillion globally, with power utilities and renewable manufacturers accounting for two-thirds of the figure.

The figure forms 2.6% of GDP, according to BNEF’s Clean Energy Exposure Ratings, which identified and rated over 8,000 listed companies with revenue exposure to clean energy activities, from over 50,000 assessed.

Listed electric utilities like EDF, Enel and E.ON accounted for $1.06 trillion (42% of the total) in clean energy revenues, followed by renewable energy manufacturers and developers including CATL, Vestas and Trina Solar, contributing $628 billion (25%) in clean energy revenues in 2022.

“While automakers like Volkswagen and Toyota are among the biggest earners in the rankings, their exposure remains low and so the auto industry only contributes $370 billion to the total,” said Mike Daly, lead author of the report.

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E.ON issues €1.5 billion in green bonds

E.ON has successfully issued two bond tranches with a combined volume of €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion), backed by a combined peak orderbook of €4.3 billion ($4.7 billion).

Both tranches value €750 million ($815.6 million) each, with the first maturing in March 2029 and the second in August 2033.

E.ON’s CFO Marc Spieker commented on the green bonds: “The high demand from investors underlines again that we are on the right track with our strategy, which is focused on sustainability, digitalisation and growth.

“E.ON is determined to drive forward the energy transition in Europe. We want to invest a total of €33 billion ($35.9 billion) in the energy transition by 2027. Green bonds are an important financing instrument to do this, and we will continue to use them for our financing in the future.”

According to E.ON, a positive market environment has already allowed them to prefund financing needs for the upcoming 2024 fiscal year, while 2023 funding needs were already covered successfully by a €1.8 billion ($2 billion) bond issuance in January.

The proceeds of this green bonds will thus be used to finance and/or refinance Eligible Green Projects as defined in E.ON’s Green Bond Framework.

Bank of America Securities, Deutsche Bank, Natwest Markets and Unicredit served as active bookrunners in the transaction.

What are some of the strategies you’ve seen companies use to improve their energy trading and analytics? Are there any you’d like to see covered? Let me know.

For the latest finance and investment news coming from the energy sector, make sure to follow Smart Energy Finances Weekly.

Cheer,
Yusuf Latief
Content Producer
Smart Energy International

Follow me on Linkedin

While home battery backups have gained popularity for reducing energy costs and carbon footprints, reliance on solar power during daylight hours and grid availability poses limitations. Grid-tied or off-grid solar systems with big batteries allow you to store excess clean energy and maintain power in the case of grid outages or power blackouts. BLUETTI, a top player in the energy storage field, is set to bring out another battery solution–EP800 in September this year. What is it exactly? And how does it differ from its predecessor – the EP900, which uses the same B500 battery packs? Let’s find out.

What is the BLUETTI EP800 & B500?

The BLUETTI EP800 & B500 is a 7,600W modular home energy storage system (ESS), featuring 9,000W PV input and scalable capacity from 9,920Wh to 19,840Wh. Similar to the EP900, it is widely compatible with existing or future solar systems for energy bill saving and blackout preparedness.

Besides their output performances, the main difference between EP800 and EP900 lies in their ability to connect to the utility grid. The former is a pure off-grid system, while the latter also supports on-grid connection, whose installation therefore could take several months with time-consuming paperwork and inspection processes.

With an easy and quick installation of a few hours, the EP800 is a blessing for those in urgent need of complete battery systems to pair with their solar setups.

Key features of the BLUETTI EP800 energy storage system

1. Flexible capacity from 9,920Wh to 19,840Wh
The EP800’s modular design allows users to tailor their energy storage capacity to their specific needs. By choosing two to four B500 battery packs, each providing 4,960Wh, you will have a customised capacity ranging from 9,920Wh to a maximum of 19,840Wh. According to a recent study showing that a small 10kWh solar ESS can meet backup needs for a 3-day outage in nearly all US counties, that energy storage could get you through a blackout lasting almost six days, or two days without solar power.

2. Powerful performance: 7,600W output and 9,000W solar input
The EP800 system delivers up to 7,600W power for the whole household. It can run both your 120V TVs and 240V pumps with ease. With dual MPPT charge controllers inside, the EP800 can maximise solar input at 9,000W, allowing you to easily reach power independence by solar. This also makes it an ideal choice for small businesses, farms and workplaces that are remote from the grid power.

3. Wide compatibility with solar panels
Whether you already have installed solar panels or plan to do so in the future, the EP800 seamlessly integrates into your solar panels with its DC-coupled connectivity. Generally, there are two types of electrical systems to connect a PV system to storage batteries, DC coupled and AC coupled. Rather than converting solar-generated DC power back and forth to AC power with unnecessary energy losses, a DC coupled system converts the DC solar power to AC only once that your home appliances use, making it more energy efficient.

4. Easy and quick installation: Indoor or outdoor
As an off-grid energy storage unit, the BLUETTI EP800 can be set up in a few hours with simple hook and screw steps. Even DIYers or homeowners interested in electricity can handle it. Instead of being mounted on the wall, it can be stacked vertically without damaging the wall or taking up too much space. With a NEMA 4X rating and quiet operation at less than 50dB, you can easily install it indoors or outdoors. Plus, BLUETTI offers an optional global installation team that can handle all the on-site work for you.

5. Durable design with 10 years warranty
Designed to be stylish and long-lasting, the EP800 is encased in a durable and corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy. It boasts a NEMA 4X rating for water, dust, and corrosion resistance. Using the safest LiFePO4 batteries available, the EP800 could have a at least ten-year lifespan. It also comes with an advanced BMS that prevents short circuits, overcharging and other potential hazards. To ensure hassle-free use, BLUETTI also backs it with a ten-year warranty.

6. Intelligent system: smart operation and easy control
The EP800 can adapt to varying weather conditions, regulating its discharging processes based on ambient temperature through its advanced thermal management technology. With the BLUETTI app, you can monitor system performance, track your power consumption and generation, and adjust settings remotely via WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity from anywhere at any time. Moreover, OTA updates are available for added convenience.

How to get the most out of the EP800 energy storage system

Get the power back in 20ms
The BLUETTI EP800 provides a stable and seamless power supply during emergencies and power failures. It takes less than 20ms to switch from grid power to its battery, providing stored power for all your essential appliances, large and small, such as refrigerators, dryers, water pumps, electric stoves, lights and medical equipment. An EP800 with two battery packs can power an average refrigerator for four days, or eight days with four packs. That means you can rest easy knowing that those steaks and ice creams will never again end up in the trash.

Enjoy power freedom
The EP800 could connect to solar panels for a maximum of 9,000W of solar charging. Even during power outages, there will be enough power in reserve to run your entire home. Two B500 packs, 9,920Wh of energy, equivalent to 3.3 hours of use of 2500W air conditioner, 140 hours of lighting (60W), and uninterrupted network connection. If you have a large family or experience a prolonged power cut, four B500 batteries will provide up to 19,840Wh of power, giving you peace of mind that your family will still live comfortably. This stronger battery system could power your 200W freezer for 84 hours, 500W washer for 33.5 hours and 2,000W oven for 8 hours. For others, power failures may mean disaster and hardship, with stinking piles of laundry and limited use of electronics. However, with the EP800 backup system in your home, a blackout is nothing more than a chance to show off your independence from the grid.

Benefit you and the Earth
The BLUETTI EP800 is an eco-friendly and quiet backup power source that runs on renewable energy instead of the fossil fuels of traditional generators. Unlike gas-powered generators that emit harmful gases into the environment when used, it produces no emissions or noise pollution, making it an environmentally friendly option for powering homes or businesses.

Availability
The BLUETTI EP800 energy storage system will be available on September 15 with a debut price starting from $5999.

Try BLUETTI EP800 free for 30 days! BLUETTI is currently running an Energy Freedom programme to help households reduce their energy bills and achieve power independence. Thirty households with monthly bills over $100 can apply for a free trial of the EP800 system for a full month. After the trial, they can either return the product at no cost or keep it for an incredible 40% off the retail price. Give it a try as the trial is totally money and worry free. All it takes is a few clicks to sign up, and BLUETTI will take care of everything from shipping to installation.

Limited offer, grab it now!

Conclusion

Some homeowners are still waiting in line for the pricey home backup solutions from Enphase, LG, Panasonic, FranklinWH and Tesla Powerwall. Others, however, have their eyes on affordable backup systems like the BLUETTI EP800 that are within easy reach. With this powerful device, you can keep your entire home running smoothly during a power outage, reduce your energy bills, and contribute to a more sustainable and greener planet.

About BLUETTI

BLUETTI has been committed to promoting sustainability and green energy solutions since its inception. By offering eco-friendly energy storage solutions for both indoor and outdoor use, BLUETTI aims to provide exceptional experiences for our homes while also contributing to a sustainable future for our planet. This commitment to sustainable energy has helped BLUETTI expand its reach to over 100 countries and gain the trust of millions of customers worldwide.

The Powerledger Chain is the third generation blockchain from the company, which was one of the pioneers of the technology in the energy sector, and is designed to facilitate the development of scalable decentralised apps that are able to handle thousands of transactions per second at low cost.

Example challenges highlighted include intermittency from solar and wind and grid congestion.

“Today is the most significant day in our blockchain journey as we make our game-changer Powerledger Chain public as it offers scalability, security, and energy efficiency,” said Powerledger technical director and co-founder, John Bulich.

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“It’s the ideal platform for developing green and affordable energy solutions that pave the way to a brighter future.”

The Powerledger Chain is a customised permissioned Solana blockchain utilising proof-of-history and proof-of-stake consensus mechanisms to deliver the required throughput with lower energy requirements compared with proof-of-work blockchains.

Powerledger has developed a range of solutions in the areas of energy trading and traceability, flexibility trading and environmental commodities training.

These are at various stages of implementation in a dozen countries including Australia, India, the US and within Europe and Asia.

Another issue Powerledger highlights is that of centralisation, with the growing distributed energy system challenging the traditional centralised approach.

With decentralisation at its core, the public blockchain’s role in energy does not necessarily dismiss centralisation, but offers the importance of a balanced approach with the power of highly scalable blockchain-based solutions, the company states.

“The responsibility for grid management can be negotiated among stakeholders using a decentralised paradigm that uses smart contracts on our new public blockchain.”

Nanotechnology, generally regarded as technologies at the atomic and molecular scales of size less than 100nm (1nm corresponding to a billionth of a metre), is a fast-growing area with the potential to impact many areas of activity.

One such is energy storage in which nanoscale innovations have already led to improvements, including the creation of advanced batteries with higher energy density and faster charging.

For example, California-based Sila Nanotechnologies has developed nanotechnology-based lithium-ion batteries with up to 20% capacity enhancement with the potential that can offer, for example to the improved range of electric vehicles or for use of wearable devices.

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Likewise nanotechnology has also boosted solar cell efficiency by incorporating nanoscale structures like quantum dots and perovskite materials, the white paper points out – the technology also gives rise to hybrid solar cells that both generate and store energy simultaneously.

Nanoscale supercapacitors offer high power density and rapid energy discharge, ideal for energy storage applications.

Quoting a projected market size for energy storage and conversion of $17 billion by 2028, the white paper states that despite the existing hurdles, the market is on a growth trajectory.

Investments and startups that revolve around nanotechnology for energy storage and conversion, in addition to prominent academic institutions like the US Department of Energy (DOE), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and universities worldwide, understand the importance of crafting new materials for sustainable energy applications.

Nanomaterials possess the potential to greatly enhance ion transportation and electron conductivity, which could be the solution to advancing this field.

The white paper notes, however, some barriers to entry in the field. Among these are the exorbitant expenditure for research and development and a lengthy development process, while also there are regulatory obstacles that can complicate market penetration.

The white paper concludes that with continuous research and collaboration, nanotechnology will persist in driving innovation and serve as an essential tool for pioneers in the field of energy storage and conversion, empowering them to break new ground in sustainable energy.

Through their combined acumen, the two will develop and deploy new solutions for electric utilities and renewable energy producers.

Namely, the collaboration will draw on Hitachi Energy’s Energy Portfolio Management (EPM) solutions combined with Google Cloud’s data analytics capabilities, artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) services, as well as scalable and secure infrastructure.

“Data and analytics are at the centre of the energy transition and play a critical role in the evolving grid,” said Massimo Danieli, managing director of grid automation for Hitachi Energy. “Our customers worldwide have asked for solutions that help them achieve sustainability goals and business outcomes at speed and scale.”

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A first demonstration

The first demonstration of the collaboration is that of Hitachi Energy’s Velocity Suite Power Prices, which delivers sub-hourly energy pricing data for users.

The product’s launch marks the first milestone in the collaboration and, states Hitachi Energy, signals the partners’ aim to address growing market and customer needs for cloud-based solutions that drive the energy transition.

Global developers, operators of renewable generation and battery energy storage systems (BESS), as well as traditional generators, traders and energy market participants can use the data from Velocity Suite Power Prices to make “better, faster decisions about energy projects and investments in North America,” states Hitachi Energy in a press release.

Added Danieli: “Delivering Velocity Suite Power Prices through our partnership with Google Cloud helps global customers accelerate decision making, optimize investments, and digitally transform their own businesses.”

According to Hitachi Energy, Velocity Suite Power Prices informs and accelerates planning and revenue analyses for transformative grid and renewable energy projects.

The computing power of Google Cloud technology, adds the company, is instrumental in automating and consolidating the suite’s dataset.

“By delivering Velocity Suite Power Prices on Google Cloud, Hitachi Energy is enabling customers to deploy its platform on trusted, sustainable infrastructure and helping them better utilise massive amounts of data on their journeys to become more profitable and sustainable businesses,” said Roi Tavor, managing director at Google Cloud.

“Sustainability is a driving factor behind many organisations’ digital transformations, and we’re proud to partner with Hitachi Energy to help global businesses operate responsibly and sustainably.”

Put simply, smart metering is key to managing energy, water and gas consumption effectively. And critically, Lightweight Machine-to-Machine (LwM2M) technology plays a pivotal role in making smart metering more efficient and responsive. Let’s explore how.

Understanding smart metering

Smart metering solutions provide valuable, real-time insights into resource consumption. In contrast, traditional metering systems suffer from a host of limitations. These include infrequent data collection, reliance on manual readings and limited visibility into real-time consumption. These systems also often fail to detect anomalies or leaks promptly, leading to wastage and higher user costs.

But how does LwM2M fit in here? LwM2M both facilitates and improves smart metering. It has the capability to enhance its efficiency and accuracy (if the LwM2M data model is in use) while boosting its real-time monitoring capabilities.

Through IoT device management, LwM2M ensures seamless smart metering connectivity, transforming how we monitor resource use.

LwM2M: Unveiling the technology

At the heart of today’s smart metering revolution is the Lightweight Machine-to-Machine (LwM2M) technology, designed for efficiency, scale and interoperability. Key features and advantages include:

• Lightweight: Consumes less bandwidth and power, making it cost-effective and ideal for large-scale IoT deployments. With LwM2M, IoT-based smart metering systems can offer massive benefits without bloated hardware and data storage.
• Efficient: Enhanced transmission rates enable swift and accurate data flow.
• Remote management: IoT device management is seamless, offering real-time monitoring and control.

In smart metering, LwM2M has a capability to foster robust machine-to-machine communication. It may simplify data transmission, making it faster and more reliable, and amplifies remote management capabilities, transforming how we monitor and control infrastructure elements such as routers, gateways and last but not least smart meters.

LwM2M in energy consumption monitoring

LwM2M supercharges smart metering systems, boosting their capabilities in energy management:

• Real-time data: LwM2M enables instantaneous data collection and analysis, offering immediate feedback to consumers. The result? Smarter, more efficient energy use.
• Demand response programmes: LwM2M can integrate with these programmes, allowing utility providers to adjust power production based on real-time demand, reducing waste and improving service reliability.
• Predictive maintenance: Leveraging LwM2M, IoT-based smart metering systems can predict maintenance needs, preventing malfunctions before they occur.

In essence, LwM2M transforms cellular IoT smart meters into proactive, precise instruments for energy monitoring and management, offering yet more benefits of smart metering.

LwM2M in water metering

LwM2M is a game changer in the field of smart water metering, driving accuracy and sustainability:

• Accurate measurement: By enabling precise data collection, LwM2M ensures consumers are only charged for actual water usage.
• Leak detection: The technology allows for early detection of leaks, preventing wastage and reducing utility bills.
• Remote monitoring: With LwM2M, consumers have real-time insight into their water consumption, promoting conscious usage and sustainability.

Essentially, LwM2M empowers consumers with the data they need to make informed decisions, optimizing water use.

LwM2M in gas metering

LwM2M transforms the landscape of gas metering, heightening safety and efficiency:

• Real-time monitoring: LwM2M enables live tracking and analysis of gas consumption, ensuring optimal usage and cost-efficiency.
• Anomaly detection: The technology excels in spotting irregular gas usage, helping prevent wastage.
• Leak prevention and safety: LwM2M enhances safety by promptly identifying potential gas leaks, helping to prevent accidents and property damage.

By integrating LwM2M into gas metering systems, users gain a more detailed, real-time understanding of their consumption habits. It’s a leap forward in gas safety and efficiency.

Final thoughts on LwM2M

LwM2M isn’t just a step forward in smart metering; it’s a leap. Revolutionizing energy, water, and gas management delivers real-time insights, enhanced safety and waste reduction. It’s not just about better resource management; it’s about smarter, more sustainable living. The future of smart metering is here, powered by LwM2M.

About AVSystem:

At AVSystem, we pride ourselves on being a trusted and reliable partner for IoT deployments. We understand that proper device management is crucial to the success of any IoT project, which is why we have built our reputation on providing best-in-class solutions to ensure that our clients achieve scalability, interoperability and security.

Website: https://www.avsystem.com/coiote-iot-device-management-platform/ 

Anjay IoT SDK: https://www.avsystem.com/anjay/

Coiote IoT Device Management Platform: https://www.avsystem.com/coiote-iot-device-management-platform/

This was one of the key messages from Alan Winde, Premier of the Western Cape province of South Africa, who hosted an Energy Digicon under the theme What role will Artificial Intelligence play in the future of energy generation?

Keynote speaker Martin Svensson, co-director of AI Sweden, said looking ahead, AI will impose greater challenges on the energy sector.

Citing the conversion of the automotive sector to a fully electric-based one, Svensson said the question is how to build the new system by harnessing AI.

Svensson said that in the future, individuals would also be able to produce their own energy, largely from solar power and AI applications would be integrated into this.

“Imagine a future where we are our own energy producers and what we produce we will be able to trade and have a system that optimises that from a financial perspective.” 

Forging a new energy system

Referencing think-tank RethinkX’s research – Rethinking Energy 2020-2030 – which says that we are on “the cusp of the fastest, deepest, most profound disruption of the energy sector in over a century”, Svensson said the current system will be disrupted by a new one.

RethinkX says that with most disruptions, this one is being driven by the convergence of several key technologies whose costs and capabilities have been improving on consistent and predictable trajectories.

These are solar photovoltaic power, wind power and lithium-ion battery energy storage. 

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“Our analysis shows that 100% clean electricity from the combination of solar, wind, and batteries (SWB) is both physically possible and economically affordable across the entire continental United States as well as the overwhelming majority of other populated regions of the world by 2030,” said RethinkX.

“Adoption of SWB is growing exponentially worldwide and disruption is now inevitable because by 2030 they will offer the cheapest electricity option for most regions. Coal, gas, and nuclear power assets will become stranded during the 2020s, and no new investment in these technologies is rational from this point forward.”

Energy systems run completely on renewable energy sources

Svensson said the new energy system will look completely different to the current one. He said, for a province like the Western Cape, the future system could be one without loadshedding. This would be achieved through a system that would be 100% solar, wind and battery based. 

“This is not driven by the current issues you face or by climate activism, but economical forces. That’s why I’m confident this will happen. There is a lot of positive opportunities.”

Svensson said solar and wind are already the cheapest new-generation options. It also costs less than existing coal, gas and nuclear power plants. The cost of SWB systems will fall another 70% by 2030, making disruption “inevitable”.

In terms of the Western Cape, Svensson said the region could have a “future of energy abundance.”

Based on modelling from California in the US, which has a similar solar and wind profile to the Western Cape, Svensson said in the next 10 years, the province could generate 14GW of solar, 1.7GW of wind and 80GWh of energy storage.

“This ‘super power’ will be enough to electrify the entire transportation sector and more,” said Svensson. He said the province had already started on this journey.

“This is within reach… The opportunity is here to accelerate this. This will solve the current situation,” said Svensson.

In terms of scepticism around AI, Svensson said it was important to learn and understand AI to help mitigate any possible risks it may pose. 

“We need to learn how to use it, but we do need to learn how to manage risks over time.”

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AI to play a huge role in the energy space

Special Advisor to the Premier on Energy, Alwie Lester, said AI will start to play a lot more of a critical role in the energy space.

“With the advent of AI, you could have a dynamic system that is managed by information and data that’s readily available and processed quite quickly,” Lester said.

“Typically, you could have a system operator that responds to things very differently based on AI as opposed to the conventional way we are responding to the system at the moment.”

“In the general energy space, I think we will start to see AI play a lot more of a critical role because you’re sitting with millions and millions of terabytes of information, especially the energy information but also economic and consumer information,” Lester added.

“And if you have the ability to sort of link these, your decisions around what energy at what point and at what price becomes rather easier when you have a system that can do this for you. The opportunity for AI to play a bigger role, particularly in the energy space is huge.

“We need to encourage the industry to look at this more holistically and not just try and solve one problem with it.

“But also look at it as part of the industry going forward.” 

Originally published by Yunus Kemp on ESI.

This is according to a report released by Allied Market Research, Utility Communications Market, which analysed the systems and processes that utilities use to manage and organise their operations.

Utility companies rely on communication networks to monitor infrastructure, respond to service outages and guarantee service delivery to customers.

According to the report, the increase in adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs) has been a factor in the growth of the utility communications market. Utility communications play an important role because communication links need to be established among DERs, grid operators and control centres. Communication networks enable monitoring, control and coordination of DERs to ensure that they are integrated and effective grid performance.

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Asia-Pacific dominated the market in 2022. Many countries in Asia-Pacific have experienced rapid urbanization. As urban populations grow, there is a higher demand for reliable electricity, gas, and water supply, as well as effective communication systems to manage and monitor utility networks.

Asia-Pacific countries have also invested heavily in infrastructure development, including energy generation, transmission, and distribution systems. This includes the construction of new power plants, expansion of grid networks, and implementation of smart grids. Utility communications play a crucial role in connecting these infrastructure components and enabling efficient management of energy resources.

The report showed that the wired segment was the highest revenue contributor to the market in 2022. Wired utility communications offer high bandwidth and capacity, allowing the transmission of large volumes of data. This capacity is essential for handling real-time monitoring and control data, as well as supporting advanced utility applications such as smart grid technologies, AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure), and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems.

According to the opinions of various CXOs of leading companies, the utility communications market is expected to witness increased demand during the forecast period due to a surge in demand for smart grid infrastructure.

Smart grid infrastructure will however require robust cybersecurity measures to protect against cyber threats and ensure the privacy of customer data.

Utility communications play a vital role in establishing secure communication networks, implementing encryption protocols, and monitoring network security to safeguard critical infrastructure and customer information.

Also on the radar are robust earnings from an Indian company for their shunt resistors, which they claim to be the “backbone of smart metering technology and energy management systems” as well as a raised Series B funding round for Electric Vehicle (EV) services provider ev.energy, which they will use for global expansion and new EV data-driven services.

Acquisition to bolster smart metering expertise

IMServ Europe, a UK-based energy data collection and metering specialist, has acquired Power Data Associates, a specialist meter administrator providing unmetered services to electricity, gas and water utilities and non-domestic energy customers.

IMServ is calling the acquisition an augmentation of their existing proposition in energy data collection, advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) and smart metering.

According to the company, unmetered supplies metering systems will be required to upgrade to half-hourly settlement as part of a forthcoming market-wide half-hourly settlement (MHHS) rules.

IMServ has already identified MHHS as a key strategic priority and aims to ease the transition for every sector of the market.\

The acquisition of Power Data Associates is hoped to enable this goal and allow customers with both metered and unmetered requirements to meet their needs ‘under one roof.’

IMServ will be the only company to offer the full range of MHHS services across the metered and unmetered data services segment.

Power Data Associates will continue to operate as a standalone company, with all current employees and senior leadership retained.

Power Data Associates specialises in providing services to help customers manage their unmetered energy usage. Key unmetered applications include street lighting, telecommunications infrastructure and, increasingly, electric vehicle (EV) charge points.

IMServ on the other hand is one of the UK’s leading meter operators and data collectors, servicing over 25% of the UK’s electricity consumption through the monitoring of 80 billion units of energy data.

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Robust earnings from smart meter shunt resistors

Indian manufacturer of bimetal/trimetal strips and shunt resistors Shivalik Bimetal Controls has announced robust financial performance for Q1 FY24.

The company reported operational revenue rise to Rs113.07 Crore ($13.7 million) signalling 15.74% YoY growth. According to CFO Rajeev Ranjan, this is “our highest quarterly number in history.”

The company is calling the financial growth reflective of the Indian and global shift towards electrification.

The Indian government’s RDSS scheme has been opening up significant revenue streams for smart metering projects in the aims of reducing aggregate transmission and commercial (AT&C) losses.

Stated the company’s chairman, S.S. Sandhu, “Our shunt resistors are part of the backbone of smart metering technology and energy management systems, providing the precision and reliability required for efficient energy usage.

“As India accelerates its smart meter deployment to achieve electrical energy security, we are proud to be a key player in providing critical components, contributing to the country’s electrification renaissance.”

Shivalik Bimetal Controls was founded in 1984 and is headquartered out of New Delhi. It manufactures and sells thermostatic bimetal/trimetal strips for switching components used in electrical, electronics, automotive, agricultural, medical, defence and industrial applications.

The rising demand for switchgear, battery management and smart metering systems, they state, conveys solid long-term prospects for their product lines.

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ev.energy enters grid services with successful financing

ev.energy, an EV charging software platform, has received a $33 million Series B raise, bringing total funded capital to $46M.

ev.energy connects EVs to grid networks, intelligently managing charging for more than 120,000 EVs daily by charging vehicles at grid-friendly times and connecting them to the company’s virtual power plant (VPP).

This latest funding round provides a pathway for ev.energy to access an additional 400 million energy customers by utilising their shareholders’ energy retail, fleet, vehicle and insurance networks.

The funding round was led by National Grid Partners (NGP) with support from Aviva Ventures, WEX Venture Capital and InMotion Ventures, with continued support from existing investors Energy Impact Partners (EIP), Future Energy Ventures (FEV) and ArcTern Ventures.

The funding will also enable ev.energy to expand its global operations while building on its growth across the US and UK.

Since 2018, ev.energy has won over 30 national, regional and municipal utility contracts while developing partnerships with charging brands and auto original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like the Volkswagen Group.

In announcing the funding, the company cites their offering of moving, storing and discharging energy for megawatts in flexible capacity as a crucial service in a time when utilities in the US and Europe tackle extreme weather conditions, placing significant strain on the electricity grid system.

Bobby Kandaswamy, Senior Director of Pathfinding & Incubation Investments at National Grid Partners, commented, “ev.energy’s approach to providing a convenient, compelling experience for drivers to charge at home and on the road during grid-friendly times is essential for grid operators.

“Combined with its V2G services, ev.energy positions utilities like National Grid as an accelerant to the clean energy transition.” As part of NGP’s investment, Kandaswamy has joined the ev.energy board of directors.

ev.energy will also use these partnerships to co-create services that leverage vehicle data, deliver smart charging and, in the future, more fully develop bi-directional charging.

WEX Venture Capital’s investment will support the expansion of ev.energy’s solution to bring managed charging to fleet vehicles.

For the latest finance and investment news coming out of the energy industry, make sure to follow Smart Energy Finances Weekly.

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Yusuf Latief
Content Producer
Smart Energy International

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Colorado-headquartered Redaptive, an energy-as-a-service provider, launched the digital platform, which tracks and analyses building energy use data to provide insights for facility managers, energy professionals and utilities.

The solution, called Redaptive ONE, assesses building performance with the hope of simplifying sustainability reporting and helping to maximise energy savings.

According to Redaptive, the metering and data dashboard provides a window into consumption across building portfolios, which they claim saves on average 50% on reporting costs and time to gather and interpret the data, in addition to saving between 5%-15% on utility spend.

First Redaptive installs meters to measure electricity, water and gas usage enabling visibility into critical energy consumption for facility managers to make informed improvements.

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The platform’s release is followed by implementation across 18 locations, managed by WPT Capital Advisors, in five months.

In a press release announcing the solution, Spender Gerberding, a partner at WPT Capital Advisors, commented: “With Redaptive’s metering solution and the Redaptive ONE platform, our team can easily track and monitor consumption data, by building, across our entire portfolio for water, gas and electricity.”

Gerberding added how, through the solutions, inconsistent consumption patterns were quickly detected and alerts automatically sent “that ultimately create safer, healthier buildings by identifying leaks and building systems that are running at off-peak intervals.”

According to research released earlier this year – Building energy performance monitoring through the lens of data quality: A review – on the importance of smart meter data for energy performance, data quality reporting had been found to be fragmented and limited, although its importance is undeniable across sectors.

According to Redaptive, the platform can also enable access to consumption data for ongoing environmental, social and governance (ESG) and GRESB reporting without the leg work of collecting and deciphering utility bills from tenants.

The launch of the platform followed a $250 million fundraise with CPP, Honeywell, CBRE, Linse Capital and others.

This is one of the key findings of the newly launched report by market intelligence firm Pexapark titled Renewables-plus-Storage Co-Location Trends: Hybrid PPAs and more.

The report provides insights into the opportunities and challenges of co-locating renewable energy assets with storage in Europe and identifies the complexity and challenges of monetising co-located assets.

According to Pexapark’s findings, co-location creates value at both the grid and asset levels, which are not mutually exclusive and therefore require full visibility of market opportunities and sophisticated revenue modelling. The research demonstrated that modelling revenues was the biggest challenge when considering contractual arrangements for co-located projects.

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The report highlights the role of Hybrid Power Purchase Agreements (Hybrid PPAs), which could offer revenues from grid services, while improving the value of the energy produced from the renewable asset.

In terms of regional insights, the UK leads Europe in co-locating solar and storage, with 70% of new solar project applications featuring batteries in Q1 2023. Co-location growth has been driven by the UK’s mature grid services and energy storage market, as well as increased contractual readiness for Hybrid PPAs.

Germany has pioneered government-backed, innovative tenders that have awarded a partial subsidy to more than 1GW of solar-plus-storage projects, leaving room for contractual innovation to further optimise the merchant exposure of the plants. Co-location growth in Germany is also being driven by market dynamics such as increased volatility in wholesale markets often leading to negative pricing.

The Nordics is a promising region to lead in the wind-plus-storage space. Advanced cannibalisation poses a serious threat to its legacy wind sector, and plays a pivotal role in the performance of Baseload PPAs which are popular in the area.

Lastly, Spain’s solar sector is set to explore co-location configuration due to the acceleration of the cannibalisation phenomenon in the country. Pexapark analysis shows that in April 2023, capture factors hit a low of 0.64, meaning renewables sold at 64% of the average baseload price.

Brian Knowles, director of storage & flexibility, Pexapark, said: “Price cannibalisation is a key challenge for revenue management and investment decisions. We have been very active in understanding the challenges of the industry on multiple levels, and we are excited to contribute to much needed knowledge-sharing to move the needle amid this tremendous momentum we are seeing”.

Originally published on Power Engineering International.

By John Kalthoff, Corteva Agriscience

Part of the issue at hand is driven by ecological and environmental factors. While earlier snowmelt and delayed rainfall have led to extended drought in recent years, tree mortality and the spread of invasive plants have provided more fuel sources for wildfires.

But what’s igniting wildfires in the first place? Although unattended campfires, acts of arson, and lightning are common culprits, a recent five-year study conducted by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention found that electrical power causes nearly 10% of wildfires annually.

In addition to posing a threat to electrical transmission reliability, fallen trees can impact energized conductors and lead to downed powerlines, both of which can ignite wildfires. To make matters worse, woody plants and other brush species can be ladder fuels, which carry low-burning wildfires to taller vegetation. These issues alone give utility vegetation managers reason to prioritise brush control as part of their annual right-of-way (ROW) management programmes. However, industry research has shown that not all brush control strategies deliver the same results.

Considerations for Brush Control

The best way for electric utilities to reduce wildfire risks is to selectively control incompatible trees and brush species throughout their right-of-way corridors. This selectivity is crucial, as it allows vegetation managers to eliminate threats to utility infrastructure without causing harm to desirable plant species that strengthen wildfire mitigation programmes.

Despite the benefits selective control strategies can provide, some electric utilities still use mechanical mowing practices to manage incompatible plant species. As a nonselective approach to vegetation control, exclusive mowing practices decimate all plant species, stimulating costly regrowth and spreading incompatible seeds along the way.

Fortunately, utility vegetation managers can use Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) strategies to avoid these detrimental issues. That’s because IVM programmes, using industry best management practices, complement mechanical and biological control methods with targeted applications of selective herbicides, which strengthen woody plant management and minimize off-target control issues. As a result, industry practitioners can successfully yield landscapes that are compatible with not only utility infrastructure but also wildfire mitigation programmes.

Supported by Environmental ROW Research

Findings generated by the State Game Lands 33 (SGL 33) research project in central Pennsylvania, which has analysed the ecological impact of different vegetation control methods since the early 1950s, have indicated the benefits of using IVM strategies to manage incompatible plant species throughout utility rights-of-way. For example, when SGL 33 researchers with Pennsylvania State University recently tested five common control methods on 2.5 to 3-acre plots to determine which strategies best support the establishment of tree-resistant cover types throughout utility rights-of-way, selective applications of nonselective herbicide chemistries yielded the most promising results.

Each plot included a 95-foot wire zone and 30-foot border zone on each side of the transmission line corridor. In addition to hand-cutting and mechanical mowing practices, three herbicide-based control methods were tested:

• High-volume foliar
• Low-volume foliar
• Low-volume basal

Three years after treatment, SGL 33 data showed that low-volume and high-volume foliar herbicide applications predominately yielded lower incompatible stem densities in the wire zone and border zone than their mechanical counterparts. (See Graph 1)

Lower stem counts were observed on plots treated with low-volume basal applications. It’s worth noting that no incompatible trees were recorded in the wire zone of one of the plots treated with a low-volume basal application, and a second low-volume basal plot yielded stem counts lower than mechanically treated sites.

“Reducing incompatible stem counts throughout utility rights-of-way provides multiple benefits to electric utilities and their vegetation management partners,” said Jerome Otto, market development specialist, Corteva Agriscience. “You’re not only enhancing electrical service reliability by protecting utility infrastructure; you’re also achieving results that can help safeguard adjacent communities from the devastating effects of wildfires.”

As a longtime funding partner of SGL 33, Corteva Agriscience shares findings from the long-standing environmental research study to help industry partners understand how different vegetation control strategies can help them improve cost-efficiency, enhance environmental sustainability and reduce the risk of wildfire. As far as the brand’s industry experts are concerned, electric utilities and their vegetation management partners have a significant opportunity to achieve these benefits through IVM, especially if they prioritise selectivity.

“SGL 33 research has indicated the benefits of integrating various herbicide applications as part of an IVM-based approach,” said Darrell Russell, market development specialist, Corteva Agriscience. “Industry practitioners can further enhance these positive results and reduce incompatible stem counts by selectively treating targeted vegetation with selective herbicide chemistries. By only controlling plant species that represent the greatest threats, vegetation managers can help beneficial plant communities thrive, which positively impacts right-of-way management programmes, the environment, and surrounding communities.”

In addition to reducing incompatible stem densities — which eliminates flammable trees and creates ample spacing between less flammable plant species — targeted applications of selective chemistries can complement IVM-based programmes by supporting the development of beneficial grasses and forbs. In turn, these low-growing plant communities yield multiple benefits for ROW management and wildfire mitigation programmes, including:

Fewer ladder fuels

High-risk fire areas are often riddled with numerous ladder fuels, such as low-lying trees and brush species. By supplementing mechanical and biological control methods with selective applications of selective herbicide chemistries, IVM programmes can prevent the establishment and growth of ladder fuels, which reduces the risk of flames reaching canopy heights.

Fuel break establishment

Selective herbicide treatments can help vegetation managers establish fuel breaks throughout utility rights-of-way, which can impede the spread of wildfire. Starting in the wire zone, vegetation managers can use herbicide treatments to control trees and other forms of tall-growing plant species to help establish fuel breaks composed of grasses, herbs and small shrubs. These low-growing plant communities reduce the risk of power line interference and inhibit flames from spreading, which allows firefighters to suppress the flames more safely and effectively.

Reduced maintenance input costs

Put simply, using IVM practices to reduce the amount of incompatible stems and ladder fuels throughout utility ROW can effectively lower maintenance costs over time. With less vegetation to maintain, industry practitioners can reallocate resources to at-risk sites or other programme needs. 

Biodiverse habitat support

By supporting the development of beneficial grasses and forbs, IVM programmes also enhance habitat biodiversity for bees, butterflies and a variety of other native wildlife species. Intentionally managing both compatible and incompatible vegetation also can qualify IVM programmes for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting when associated practices prove to yield no net loss or net positive impact on biodiversity.

Partnership Opportunities

Electric utilities aren’t the only entities that can positively impact wildfire mitigation efforts. While foresters and federal agencies can complete fuel-reduction projects to support timber harvest plans, city and state agencies can establish fuel breaks along roadsides to improve transportation routes during wildfires and related emergencies. State and national parks also can remove dead and hazardous trees to reduce the amount of flammable vegetation throughout at-risk areas.

“We’ve seen electric utilities assist private companies and federal agencies with logging activities near their right-of-way corridors,” Otto said. “This work includes the removal of controlled trees that otherwise interfere with line-clearance requirements. Instead of increasing fuel loads by leaving that brush on site, some entities use chippers to manually broadcast woody plants at lower levels throughout previously treated areas.”

Put simply, building relationships and effectively communicating with like-minded entities can help utility vegetation managers synchronize their treatment cycles, enhance fuel break establishment and mitigate wildfire risks throughout ROW corridors and adjacent land. While some landowners are skeptical of certain IVM practices, including herbicide applications, this cooperative support can improve public perception concerning best practices for wildfire mitigation efforts.

“We care for the land as much as the people who live on or adjacent to it,” Otto said. “The more vegetation managers and their industry partners can educate landowners on the benefits and objectives IVM-based strategies achieve, the more we’ll be able to drive communal understanding. What’s good for utility infrastructure also can be good for the land and surrounding communities. We’re working to spread that message far and wide.”

Originally published on Power Grid International.

About the Author

John Kalthoff is a portfolio marketing lead with Corteva Agriscience. In his role, he leverages more than 30 years of experience to provide product marketing leadership for the U.S. Land Management (non-crop vegetation management) business. He is based out of Indianapolis, IN.

The energy transition is bringing profound changes across the sector and not least to the networks, with the need for their significant expansion for large-scale electrification and clean energy integration coupled with the universal adoption of digital smart grid technologies towards 2050.

With this in mind ISGAN, in partnership with IRENA and a group of experts from across the sector from 12 countries, has undertaken an evaluation of grid planning practices with the aim to cut through the complexities and uncertainties for policy makers and sector stakeholders.

“Overcoming these different complexities and uncertainties necessitates planning processes that are efficient, transparent, legitimate and guided by sound principles and effective steering mechanisms,” states ISGAN.

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Moreover, a key consideration was that the grid planning should align with and act as an enabler of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals of which the energy goal on access to clean and affordable energy is SDG 7.

Key recommendations of the policy brief for grid planning in uncertain times are as follows.

1. Cohesive scenarios, nationally and where possible regionally coordinated, should be developed that show the necessary electrification measures required to achieve net zero emissions.
2. Grid development plans should be ensured to enable deep decarbonisation in line with the developed scenarios, with political guidance likely to be necessary to balance conflicting goals between local and national levels as well as between economic, social and environmental considerations.
3. Cost-benefit analyses should be updated to properly capture the values of sufficient grid capacity and account for social, environmental and resilience metrics, based on a clear and transparent grid planning assessment framework.
4. Regulatory frameworks should be ensured to foster both conventional and smart grid solutions contributing to the clean energy transition. Tools such as regulatory sandboxes could be extensively used to support the deployment of innovative solutions.
5. Workforce strategies should be developed to recruit and train the skills to satisfy the short and long-term competence needs. These include policy and regulation, engineering, environmental impact assessment, behavioural sciences and urban and rural planning.
6. Stakeholder interactions between government, industry, research and other players including local communities should be promoted at all levels of the grid planning process.
7. Awareness and understanding of the role of the grid for meeting the SDGs should be increased, with clearer linkages of energy to supporting other goals such as poverty reduction and climate action.

The initiative was led by Helena Lindquist, director of the Swedish sustainability knowledge sharing company LightSwitch from ISGAN’s Communication working group, and Susanne Ackeby, an R&D engineer at the Swedish research institute RISE from ISGAN’s Power Transmission & Distribution Systems working group.

The certification was conducted by TÜV Rheinland Japan and marks a “significant step forward” for the Alliance, a statement reads.

The G3-Alliance – formerly the G3-PLC Alliance – introduced the P2P-PLC (Point-to-Point PLC) as a lightweight profile to support G3 technology usage in applications where the topology is very simple or where limited numbers of devices are present in the network and where point-to-point (i.e. not routed) communications can be an advantage.

Such applications include smart lighting, buildings, environmental monitoring and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning).

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As such it marks an expansion of the use of the technology from its implementation mainly in smart grid applications.

The P2P-PLC certification uses the same test procedure as the G3-Alliance certification.

The certification covers all the existing certification profiles, i.e. CENELEC A / CENELEC B / FCC / ARIB, but limits the protocol stack to the OFDM PHY and IEE 802.15.4 MAC layers only.

The objective of the certification is to allow multi-sourcing of platforms by product manufacturers and is therefore only open to platforms.

Platforms that have undergone full G3-Alliance certification can achieve P2P-PLC certification if the following conditions are met:
● Full access to the MAC layer is available for the end system.
● The G3-PLC ADP layer and G3-PLC PHY/MAC layers are clearly separated.
● Full G3-PLC testing of the stack must be performed, the G3 ADP layer may reside outside the P2P-PLC certified platform but must be present for certification.

Renasas’s R9A06G061 PLC modem was designed for peer-to-peer networks and delivers communication speeds up to 1Mb/s over distances of 1km or more.

“With the need for more lightweight programmes that can accommodate simple topologies or limited network devices, the P2P-PLC certification is the ideal solution, offering a more efficient and less risky path for product manufacturers to launch products domestically and internationally,” the Alliance statement reads.

The UK has pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050, in accordance with its obligations under the Paris Agreement.

All eyes are on utilities providers as we transition to this net zero future, but it’s not as simple as flicking a switch and swapping to renewable energy generation.

Heat mapping

2022 was one of the hottest years on record in the UK, highlighting the effects of climate change on air temperature.

The UK is already leading the way in climate adaptation by using space data to monitor and understand the impact of climate change. For example, in a project backed by the UK Space Agency, Ordnance Survey is using satellite data to monitor and map heat in locations at greatest risk.

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Revealing locations that are at greater risk allows local governments to plan better and implement effective policies to deal with extreme weather events. Accurate location data can also be used to optimise tree planting and land management, ensuring that planning is resilient to future change.

In cities, heat mapping can be used to find heat islands. These spots, where land surface is densely covered with roads, pavement, buildings and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat, could benefit from building adaptation. For example, retrofitting green roofs and green spaces could be used for heat pumps and as low carbon heat sources.

Heat mapping can also be used to enable community-driven energy generation, where an entire city or municipality create micro energy grids, powered by solar panels or nearby wind farms to help reduce demand on the national grid and lower its carbon footprint.

Asset planning

By 2030, it’s estimated that there will be between eight million and eleven million hybrid and electric cars in the UK, requiring 300,000 charging points. With just 37,000 existing in 2023, it’s clear that work is required to build this infrastructure.

For example, the Department for Transport, in conjunction with the University of Exeter, undertook a study to estimate the proportion of properties in a certain area that could accommodate private electric vehicle charge points powered by the household. Using Ordnance Survey’s geospatial data, combined with other data sets, an algorithm was developed that could be used to classify residential dwellings as potential locations for private charge points.

As the number of electric vehicles on the road increases, data like this will prove to be vital.

Also, for public use chargers, it’s important to see additional data, like how many houses exist within a postcode and what the electricity supply in that area is like. This will allow chargers to be placed in the most efficient locations.

Avoiding strikes

Around four million kilometres of pipes, sewers and electricity and telecoms cables are buried underground in the UK, accounting for a significant proportion of the nation’s utility, building and transport infrastructure. It’s estimated that every seven seconds a hole is dug to access these assets for repairs, upgrades and new installations.

The vast amount of holes dug, coupled with the unreliability of underground asset location data, means that there are around 60,000 accidental strikes per year, leading to injury, project delays and disruption to traffic and local economies. The total cost of these accidental strikes is estimated to be around £2.4 billion (US$3 billion) every year.

The lack of a single source of location data for underground assets has had a huge impact on the number of strikes over the years. While location data exists, it’s siloed in separate private companies, with data sharing between them often slow and inefficient.

To help combat this, the UK Government has established a Geospatial Consortium, of which Ordnance Survey is a member. The consortium has been working for a number of years to build a National Underground Asset Register as a single, secure data-sharing service to record the location and characteristics of underground assets.

The register will provide workers with an interactive, standardised digital view of the underground assets in a given location, reducing the risk of accidental strikes and resultant delays, costs and disruption.

Better service

With energy bills higher than in previous years, it’s important for providers to be aware of customers that require additional support.

Ordnance Survey is participating in a pilot to overcome this called the Priority Services Register. The pilot brings together data from various utilities providers to build a master list of all residents in Great Britain that might require additional support from their providers.

Once the list is aggregated, it will be disseminated out to all of the utility providers involved so that they can understand which of their customers are vulnerable.

While utility providers will have some insight already, the Priority Services Register will help ensure that every resident is provided with the support that they need, especially as our reliance on fossil fuels reduces and the way that households receive energy changes.

Achieving net zero emissions by 2050 is key to protecting our planet for the future. Accurate location data clearly has a key role to play towards meeting the challenges of this energy transition.

Ordnance Survey, the UK’s national mapping service, is a leading geospatial organisation and experienced geospatial partner for the national government and others around the world.

Countries are increasingly preparing their infrastructure for digitalisation and several major economies have announced substantial new funding to modernise and digitalise their electricity grids.

However, further efforts by policymakers and industry will be necessary to realise the full potential of digitalisation to accelerate the clean energy transition, including the implementation of standards, policies and regulations that prioritise innovation and interoperability while addressing risks to cybersecurity and data privacy.

The IEA’s Tracking Clean Energy Progress annually assesses recent developments for over 50 components of the energy system against its ‘net zero by 2050’ scenario trajectory for 2030.

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The report states that grid-related investment in digital technologies has grown by over 50% since 2015, and is expected to reach 19% of total grid investment in 2023.

There is an increasing focus on the distribution segment, which now represents more than 75% of the total digital spend. There has also been a substantial upswing in investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which doubled in 2022 compared to the previous year.

However, overall investment in smart grids needs to more than double through 2030 – from around US$300 billion/year currently to almost US$600 billion/year – to get on track with the ‘net zero emissions’ scenario, especially in emerging markets and developing economies.

The number of smart power meters worldwide exceeded 1 billion in 2022, a tenfold increase since 2010. However, for the first time in a decade, investment slightly decreased, reflecting the plateauing deployment rate as many countries achieve close to full or full rollout.

Meanwhile, connected devices with automated controls and sensors are expected to reach 13 billion in 2023, up from fewer than 1 billion a decade ago. This number could reach more than 25 billion in 2030.

Similar trends are being seen in power grids, with around 320 million distribution sensors deployed globally.

Digitalisation progress

Notable progress in developing digitalisation in 2022 included the European Union with its action plan and the UK with its ‘digital spine’ feasibility study,

The European Commission expects about €584 billion (US$650 billion) of investments in the European electricity grid by 2030, of which €170 billion would be for digitalisation, including smart meters and other digital technologies.

Other examples of recent major grid investments are China with US$442 billion in the period 2021-205, Japan with US$155 billion and India with INR3.03 trillion (US$28 billion).

In North America, in 2022 the US announced the Grid Resilience Innovative Partnership programme with $10.5 billion in funding and Canada is investing US$100 million through its smart grid programme.

Among the needs looking ahead, the report states that further progress is needed on smart EV charging to tap into the major flexibility potential of the growing EV fleet.

At the end of 2022, there were 2.7 million public charging points worldwide, more than 900,000 of which were installed in 2022, an increase of about 55% on 2021 stock. However, only a fraction of these have smart charging capabilities.

If made grid interactive, other technologies such as heat pumps and air conditioners could also provide flexibility.

To get in step with the ‘net zero’ scenario, the global inventory of flexible assets needs to increase tenfold by 2030, which means that all sources of flexibility – including batteries and demand response – need to be leveraged.

Enabling digital technologies such as smart meters and distributed monitoring and control devices are essential to fully exploit the flexibility potential of the growing number of connected devices.

In addition to ramping up deployment of key digital technologies, existing data and digital assets need to be better utilised to provide benefits for consumers and the energy system.

In 2019, it was estimated that utilities were leveraging only around 2-4% of the data collected.

The report also points out the importance of international collaboration programmes for smart grids as a key enabler for their sustainable development, while also large scale interconnectors are highlighted as of vital importance for decarbonisation in certain regions such as the EU, sub-Saharan Africa and China.

10h00 EDT | 10h00 New York | 14h00 GMT | 15h00 London | 16h00 Amsterdam | 16h00 Johannesburg | 18h00 Dubai | 19h30 New Delhi | 22h00 Singapore

60-minute session

Utilities are evolving operating environments to keep up with new energy demands and a fast-changing technology landscape. Many are integrating utility-scale and residential distributed energy resources (DERs) into their electric grids at an unprecedented pace.

Meanwhile, the TDM technology they use for communications in IEDs such as relays and RTUs approaching end-of-life. In response to these changes, more and more utilities are turning to IEC 61850 to introduce automation and digitalization to their electric grids.

Join this live webinar to learn how IEC 61850 is revolutionizing the utility industry. Our panel will discuss the following IEC 61850 topics:
• Substation automation and control digitalization using IEC 61850
• Transitioning TDM-based substations to IEC 61850
• Building a communication infrastructure blueprint for IEC 61850 implementation

Speakers:

Prithpal Khajuria, Director – Energy & Industrial Sectors, Intel Corporation

Dominique Verhulst, Global Head of Utilities, Nokia

Hansen Chan, IP Networks Product Marketing, Nokia

This comes courtesy the market researcher’s report Smart Energy Communities, which pools their value within the smart cities technology market, anticipated to grow from $36.7 billion in annual revenue in 2023 to $73.3 billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.0%.

Growing demand and drivers

“SECs offer a more modular, more resilient, and cleaner approach to how residents interact with the energy infrastructure around them. Active SECs have proven their success at improving the quality of energy for vulnerable communities,” says Grant Samms, research analyst with Guidehouse Insights.

“While SECs today are generally considered a novel approach to meeting energy challenges, growing emphasis on the need to improve energy performance will drive considerable adoption in the coming decade.”

Reducing costs and improving energy stability, especially for isolated or otherwise vulnerable communities, continue to be the largest drivers of SEC adoption, finds the report.

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Expensive and unreliable energy connections often coincide with such geographic or socioeconomic vulnerability due to historic underinvestment.

Addressing energy reliability issues through microgrids or community heating districts were also found to present a prime opportunity to meet sustainability goals, which are themselves a strong driver of SECs.

Governments and communities are also using opportunities presented by electric vehicle (EV) adoption, like vehicle to grid (V2G) services, to improve SEC performance and sustainability. Found to be financially supporting these drivers are large infrastructure and climate investment packages that have been passed by numerous governments.

Barriers hampering growth

In many ways, SECs are a strong tool for governments that have set goals for improving sustainability and lessening social vulnerabilities.

However, as is predictable for a developing market space, there are also many barriers to SEC adoption, states the report.

In particular, they pose challenges in cost and complexity owing to unfamiliarity and lack of standardisation around installation. This is hoped to lessen as governments, vendors and grid operators become more familiar with SECs and installation methods become more standardised.

Additionally, the surrounding grid may not be robust enough to allow for the addition of new smart energy technologies that accompany such communities.

And while the public is becoming more aware of the benefits of things like home battery storage and smart meters, there may still be public pushback against SEC development over a variety of concerns, from privacy to a loss of local autonomy.

The white paper points to the issues such as intermittency, inertia deficits and grid congestion that have arisen with the introduction of renewables to the grid and the classical response being to build bigger and more infrastructure.

But with their costs and scalability issues, blockchain as a distributed architecture is seen by many as the sensible alternative – and according to the white paper, is the only option that will prove to be better and more efficient.

“The rapidly emerging and more complex energy landscape demands a shift from traditional centralised databases to blockchain and the new and decentralised markets they unlock. Realising this is fundamental to saving lots on battery capacity by using the existing resources better.”

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The white paper continues that there is also a stronger claim to be made about the appropriateness of next-generation blockchain to mitigate the problems of the grid with new functionalities anticipated such as peer exchanges in real time and forward booking of electricity slots with time ahead cost dependencies.

With forward booking, auctioning and re-booking slots with penalty clauses and bonus offers, a real-time high-volume Gen 3 blockchain will be needed to manage this market.

Gen 3 blockchains

Gen 3 blockchains are the latest evolution providing significant advances in terms of scalability, interoperability and transaction throughput and cost.

Whereas Gen 1 blockchain, or Bitcoin, with its proof-of-work consensus, is energy intensive and Gen 2 blockchains introduced smart contracting, Gen 3 blockchains use the more energy efficient proof-of-stake or proof-of-history consensus mechanisms.

Examples are Polkadot, on to which Energy Web is moving for its next-gen Energy Web X, and Solana, which Powerledger – one of the white paper’s contributors – has adapted for its blockchain, while others include Cardano, Avalanche and Algorand.

The white paper points out that the high throughput and low latency of Gen 3 blockchains capable of processing thousands of transactions per second make them suitable for handling the high volume of data generated in energy systems in applications requiring near real-time settlement, such as energy trading and grid management.

Other features detailed of Gen 3 blockchains include transparency and security and trustless and decentralised operation.

Gen 3 blockchain use cases

Blockchain technology is best suited for environments where trust is especially important, where there is a need for a secure and transparent record-keeping system, supported by the automation of complex transactions through smart contracts, the white paper states.

Some examples cited among those that have been introduced include renewable energy tracking and energy attribute certificates and transactive approaches including peer-to-peer trading and demand response, while emerging examples are real-time electricity billing with smart metering and electric vehicle-to-grid transactions.

In conclusion, the white paper says that while centralised database systems are working well right now by and large, as countries reach their renewables goals or net zero goals, the grid will need to engage traditional consumers to help balance supply and demand. And in order for it to work well a very agile energy market is needed.

“While sceptics argue that existing technologies can fulfil the same functions, blockchain represents the culmination of advancements in mathematics that have revolutionised everyday activities like communication and online shopping.”

A new report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency, Geopolitics of the Energy Transition: Critical Materials, suggests that there is no scarcity of reserves for energy transition minerals.

However, limited capabilities for mining and refining them, as well as supply disruptions could hinder the energy transition.

Currently, the supply chain is particularly vulnerable to “external shocks, resource nationalism, export restrictions, mineral cartels, instability, and market manipulation could therefore increase the risks of supply shortages,” states the report.

IRENA’s director-general, Francesco La Camera said in a statement: “The risk of supply chain disruptions is less about energy security and more about the potential slowdown of the transition, which must be avoided. On the road to COP28, my message is to urgently strengthen collaboration on critical materials to minimise the geopolitical risks of concentrated supply chains and accelerate the deployment of renewables to limit rising temperatures to 1.5°C.”

A diverse supply chain is more sustainable

In terms of mining and processing of critical materials, it is geographically concentrated, with a few countries and a few major companies playing a dominant role – an “oligopolistic” market situation according to IRENA.

For example, in terms of processing, China accounts for more than 50% of the world’s refined supply of (natural) graphite, dysprosium (a rare earth), cobalt, lithium, and manganese and the top five mining companies control 61% of lithium output and 56% of cobalt output.

According to the report, addressing vulnerabilities within the extractive commodities supply chain will directly lead to an opening up or diversifying of the supply chain, thereby building a more inclusive, ethical, and sustainable value chain.

This could include opening up opportunities for mining and processing in developing countries, as well as ensuring policies to support the realising of business opportunities in those regions.

According to La Camera, “redefining the narrative of extraction” will ensure developing nations can capture a larger share of the value chain, making the market more inclusive and resilient.

The report also emphasises the risks associated with extractive industries such as labour and other human rights abuses, land degradation, water resource depletion and contamination, and air pollution. La Camera calls for greater international cooperation “to raise and enforce standards and longer-term corporate views are essential for sustainable development and social license.”

This was the second report released this week on the topic of critical materials. Yesterday the IEA released their Critical Minerals Market Review which highlighted the significant surge in planned clean tech projects, leading to a 30% rise in investments centred around developing critical minerals in 2022.

Originally published on Power Engineering International.

The G3-Hybrid mesh network is an advanced technology in this field, offering a wealth of unique benefits. To make it easier to understand, let’s break it down into 7 points.

1. The Basics of G3-Hybrid Mesh Networks

A G3-Hybrid mesh network is like a large, interconnected family of both wired and wireless devices. They cooperate to cover a vast area without requiring a dedicated and complex infrastructure setup. This ‘smart’ network is the backbone of advanced systems like smart grids and IoT applications. The biggest advantage of this network is that each device – or node – can benefit from the best that both Power Line Communication (PLC) and Radio Frequency (RF) can offer for communication at any place and time. The resulting flexibility ensures maximum coverage, minimises dead zones, and reduces the cost and complexity associated with network setup and maintenance.

2. Key Components of a G3-Hybrid Mesh Network

A G3-Hybrid mesh network primarily consists of three types of devices:

Gateways – These are the crucial connecting points, serving as interfaces between the hybrid mesh network and the outside world. They connect the mesh network to other systems, such as Head-end Systems or central management systems. Gateways are also known as Border Routers or in G3 terminology it is the PAN Co-ordinator.

Mesh Devices – These devices form the backbone of the network. They route and forward data to and from other nodes, ensuring smooth and efficient data flow across the network.

Leaf Devices – These devices are part of the network but do not contribute to the mesh structure. They only communicate via the network and can rely autonomously on battery-limited energy resources.

3. The Self-healing Nature of the Network

A G3-Hybrid mesh network is self-healing: it has the capability to automatically adjust and repair its structure when the environment or network conditions change. For instance, if adverse weather conditions or a physical obstruction interrupts a connection between two nodes, the network seamlessly switches between RF and PLC technologies to ensure uninterrupted data flow.

4. Understanding IPv6 and 6LoWPAN

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is the latest version of the Internet Protocol, which is a set of rules governing how data is sent and received over the Internet. It’s designed to handle a vast array of internet addresses – 3.4×10^38 to be exact. This means it’s well-prepared for our increasingly connected world.

An adaptation of IPv6, known as 6LoWPAN, enables the efficient transmission of IPv6 over low-bandwidth networks, significantly reducing IPv6 overhead. These benefits extend to smaller, more constrained networks, such as those used in wireless mesh networks. This is where the G3-Hybrid network comes in. It harnesses this technology to facilitate smooth, extensive communication and is versatile enough to be tailored to specific applications, whether that’s smart grid, IoT or other dedicated uses.

5. Battery Power in Hybrid Mesh Networks

As mentioned for the leaf devices, hybrid mesh networks can run on battery power. The G3-Alliance developed a battery-powered leaf node specification to allow fully connected devices in a G3-Hybrid mesh network to run on a single battery for an extended period of time – for years or even decades.

6. Standardisation in Hybrid Mesh Networks

A G3-Hybrid mesh network adheres to open standards, specifically the ITU-T G.9903 G3-PLC protocol and the IEEE 802.15.4-2020 standard. This allows seamless integration and operation among devices from different vendors. The hybrid network automatically and dynamically adjusts its communication channel selection for each link in the network, depending on the prevailing network conditions. This flexibility enhances the reliability, efficiency and resilience of the network.

7. Importance of Certification

With the increasing complexity of technology, having a certification program is paramount to ensuring product interoperability and meeting performance requirements. This is where the G3-Alliance plays a vital role. Comprising nearly 100 member stakeholders from the smart grid ecosystem, the G3-Alliance is dedicated to driving the development of G3 technologies, with already over 80 million devices deployed worldwide.

The G3-Alliance runs a thorough certification program that provides assurance to both manufacturers and end users. This certification ensures that meters, data concentrators, and other devices correctly implemented the G3-Hybrid standard, that they are interoperable with other certified devices, and that they meet the required performance levels. Currently, the program has certified over 500 G3-devices from 19 different manufacturers with certified chipsets and 50 different manufacturers with certified products. This assurance of quality and performance underscores the commitment of the G3-Alliance to delivering reliable and efficient solutions for the smart grid and IoT applications.

G3-Hybrid Mesh Networks are ready for any of your applications

A G3-Hybrid mesh network congregates a virtually unlimited number of devices and enables reliable communication among them. It’s a robust, flexible, and scalable solution, serving as a vital backbone of smart grids and IoT applications. With dynamic self-healing capabilities and reliance on open standards, it’s a segway toward an even more connected future.

We’re thrilled to announce that the G3-Hybrid specification has been updated with several enhancements: Frequency hopping for more flexible and efficient use of a given radio spectrum, last gasp function which allows a device to send out a final message in case of a power outage, enhanced RF/PLC media switching, further optimizing the communication capabilities, incorporation of new RF bands, such as 915 and 920 MHz, broadening the reach and effectiveness of the G3-Hybrid mesh network and supporting battery-powered devices.

It is now published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), making it freely available to the public via the ITU website https://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-G.9903

For more information, contact our members or visit our website.

This is according to the WEF’s report Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2023, which finds that equity is being side-lined as countries continue shifting their focus to energy security.

States the report: “The window of opportunity for the energy transition is closing fast. The limited number of countries simultaneously advancing across all aspects of the energy triangle highlights the challenges that countries face in progressing along their energy transition pathways.”

The report, published in collaboration with Accenture, draws on the Energy Transition Index (ETI).

This year’s WEF report used an updated framework to benchmark 120 countries in the trilemma triangle of equity, energy security and environmental sustainability; as well as the readiness of the enabling environment for the energy transition.

Muqsit Ashraf, senior managing director and global strategy lead for Accenture, commented on the report’s findings: “The window of opportunity for reaching net-zero targets is closing and countries must move urgently to cleaner energy systems. Leveraging technology – both physical and digital, including data and AI – will be essential.

“By pushing the boundaries of disruptive technologies, like generative AI, countries and companies can realize what was previously thought impossible and simultaneously bolster not just sustainability but also better enable energy security and affordability.”

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ETI rankings

Over the past decade, states the report, global ETI scores have improved by 10%, supported by an increase of 19% in transition readiness scores, but only a 6% increase in system performance scores.

According to report, Nordic countries, including Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, continue to maintain their top ETI rankings, scoring highly on both system performance and transition readiness.

Despite their diverse energy system structures, states the report, the countries share common attributes. These include high levels of political commitment and stable regulatory frameworks, investments in research and development, increased renewable energy deployment and carbon pricing schemes to incentivise investments in low-carbon solutions.

A few countries, such as Kenya and Azerbaijan, jumped significantly in rank this year for making aggressive efforts and improving their regulatory environment and infrastructure.

Importantly, adds the report, in the last decade the world’s largest energy consumer, China, gained 43% – approximately double the global average – in its transition readiness scores, making its way into the top 20 as the only Asian country.

An equitable window is closing

However, only two countries – India and Singapore – were found to be making advances on all aspects of energy system performance. Broadly speaking, ETI scores have plateaued in the past three years; the WEF warns that this speed of transition is not sufficient to meet the Paris Agreement targets in an inclusive and secure way.

Geopolitical and macroeconomic volatilities that prompted the recent global energy crisis, they cite, have shifted countries’ focus to maintaining secure and stable energy supply at the expense of universal affordability and challenge progress observed in the past decade.

ETI scores declined for approximately 50% of the countries in the past year, which has disproportionately impacted vulnerable consumers, small businesses and developing economies, finds the report.

“The recent turbulence in energy markets has exposed how interconnected energy prices are with macroeconomic and social stability. This can, and has, put developing countries at risk of losing their momentum gained before the energy crisis on access to affordable, sustainable energy,” said Roberto Bocca, head of energy, materials and infrastructure for the World Economic Forum.

“It further demonstrates the importance of balancing improvements in energy security, sustainability and equity – at the same time – to enable an effective energy transition.”

High fuel prices, the report adds, have affected the cost-competitiveness of energy intensive industries, and the rising subsidy burden poses a risk to economic growth.

Additionally, low-income countries have been disproportionately affected, facing simultaneous challenges from fuel price inflation, food inflation and rising debt burden.

The WEF report states that, while performance on environmental sustainability has grown the fastest and countries are prioritizing energy security after lessons from the energy crisis, inclusiveness and equity considerations need to be addressed for a robust and resilient transition.

Watch the full video interview below.

This interview was filmed in November 2022 at Enlit Europe in Frankfurt, Germany

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This is according to the latest modeling from Rystad Energy that shows annual capacity additions will snowball in the coming years as storage becomes crucial to the world’s energy landscape.

Global BESS capacity additions expanded 60% in 2022 over the previous year, with total new installations exceeding 43 GWh. A further 74GWh will be added this year – a 72% increase – primarily driven by cost reduction in BESS systems in addition to incentives in North America, governmental funding programmes in Europe, coupled with robust renewable capacity expansion in mainland China. 

Assuming a status-quo policy scenario, Rystad Energy projects annual installations will surpass 400GWh by 2030. This correlates to capacity additions of about 110GW by 2030 on a power basis, almost equivalent to the peak residential power consumption for France and Germany combined. This projection is generally aligned with our climate change scenario compliant with 1.9-degree Celsius carbon budget.

Government policies are playing an important role in incentivizing investments and capacity expansion. Last year’s US Inflation Reduction Act has catalyzed renewable and clean tech expansion, boosting expected solar and onshore wind capacity by 40% and expecting to add more than 20GW battery capacity compared to before the Act. As result, the US battery capacity will exceed 130GW by 2030.

The European Green Deal Industrial Plan aims to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon industrial sector in Europe, and gradually supports the BESS development in addition to the local fundings for BESS developers – for example, a £32 million energy storage funding program in the UK.

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China is committed to peaking its emissions by 2030 and sees battery developments as a steppingstone to achieving that goal. The country’s clean energy development will accelerate in the coming years, increasing the share of renewables in its power mix.

It is relevant to emphasize that China’s coal capacity expansion primarily targets addressing energy security concerns providing the domestic power sector with sufficient flexibility to mitigate future energy crises. Hence, this is the case when an increase in capacity does not translate into immediate increase in generation. Average coal capacity factors in China have been declining steadily since 2010. Meanwhile, the country has matured its solar and battery production capacity and is expected to continue investing in local supply chain expansion to deliver on both domestic demand and the role China plays in the global export market across the low-carbon energy value chain.

By 2030, annual BESS market installation will hit 110GW, 58% of which will be developed in Asia. North America will account for about 20 GW and Europe will have 18GW installed, with the remaining 8GW from the rest of the world. This is a shift from current trends, as the projected installation at the end of 2023 is expected to be dominated by North America, which will account for 45% of total BESS capacity.

Utility scale battery storage is required to address power security concerns in national and regional electricity grids. Microgrids – self-contained, local power grids – will become more prevalent and distributed power generation is set to dominate as primary energy sources such as solar and wind are not limited to specific countries or regions.

Most capacity additions will be at the utility level, but residential developments are also critical. Consumer power prices will drive standalone BESS growth in the short term, with residential battery installations set to grow alongside rooftop solar PV adoption. Countries with efficient and affordable solar energy production will emerge as pioneers in coupled-residential battery systems.

The residential market is lagging the utility segment globally, but we expect that to change. We expect residential adoption to grow in parallel and increase ten-fold, surpassing 41GWh battery demand by 2030. Europeans are pioneers in utilizing BESS in their homes, as tax credits and high-power prices during peak periods have motivated consumers.

IRENA’s 1.5^oC scenario, in which the global average temperature increase is limited to 1.5^oC per the Paris Agreement, has the share of direct electricity in total final energy consumption globally rising over 50% by 2050, up from less than 25% currently – and as high as 73% in the buildings sector – indicating the huge growth in electric technologies that are required to achieve widespread decarbonisation.

This massive growth, with a tripling of global electricity demand by 2050 in the 1.5^oC scenario, both highlights the importance of energy efficiency measures but also brings with it with large scale renewable integration the need for flexibility for power system management – or what IRENA terms ‘smart electrification’ interconnecting the power sector with others previously largely disparate such as heat and mobility.

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And it is such interconnections that form the basis of what is intended as a toolbox of 100 proven solutions, drawn from many hundreds more globally, for countries to draw on for their individual electrification strategies.

In particular the two main challenges are how to accelerate the pace of their energy transition and how to manage the new energy system in a way that maximises the benefits while minimising the costs.

The report is divided into three sections, broadly one for each sector, i.e. ‘Power to mobility’ for the transport sector, ‘Power to heat or cold’ for heating and cooling in buildings as well as industry and district heating and cooling, and ‘Power to hydrogen’ for hydrogen production for indirect electrification in hard to abate sectors, primarily heavy industry and heavy transport.

Each section in turn is divided into four sets of innovations intended to enable a systemic approach to implementation combining the technology and infrastructure with market design and regulation, system planning and operation and business models.

The innovations also are intended to be grouped in ‘kits’ that can complement one another.

Essential smart electrification kits

As part of the toolbox, IRENA recommends sets of essential kits for each of the power to x.

The essential kit for smart electrification for e-mobility focusses on the necessary infrastructure for the deployment of EVs and the digital infrastructure that enables data exchange between the assets connected to the grid. It also includes key regulations to ensure the accessibility, interoperability and deployment of the charging infrastructure.

The essential kit for heat and cool includes innovations, such as heat pumps and thermal storage, along with others in market design, system planning and business models, such as smart tariffs and aggregation.

The essential kit for hydrogen production is designed to lay the groundwork for a hydrogen economy, with a focus on technological innovations such as electrolyser technologies and regulations supporting hydrogen uptake.

Speaking at the launch of the Innovation Landscape for Smart Electrification report, European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson highlighted Europe’s increased renewable ambitions of 42.5% by 2030 – and aspirations of 45% – saying that to achieve this the grids have been made a top political priority underpinned by the digitalisation of the sector.

“The launch of the report featuring many of the best practices taking place in Europe comes at the right time.”

Francesco La Camera, IRENA’s Director-General, commented that the energy transition is here and it is unstoppable.

“Smart electrification is the driver of the energy transition and innovation is the key to accelerating it forward,” he said, promising that IRENA stands ready to support countries to implement the toolbox.

LV Insights X, part of the Siemens Xcelerator digital platform, is designed to enable grid operators to gain full transparency over the LV grid in order to actively manage it to maximise the capacity.

With the decentralisation of renewable generation, the electrification of sectors such as transportation and new loads such as electric vehicles and heat pumps, the majority of which are connected to the distribution grids, they are coming under increasing strain.

Siemens states that with LV Insights X outage times can be reduced up to 30% and grid capacity increased by identifying critical segments.

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Integrating data from multiple sources such as geographical information systems, meter data management systems and advanced distribution management systems, a digital twin of the distribution grid can be easily created.

Referring to LV Insights X as an industry first, Sabine Erlinghagen, CEO of Siemens Grid Software, says that low voltage grids can become a trailblazer on the path to net zero but only if software is deployed to increase the capacity of the existing grids quickly.

“That’s why we are extremely proud to launch LV Insights X. This software enables utilities to actively manage low voltage grids to gain speed for transforming the overall energy system, make maximum use of the existing infrastructure and ultimately shape the energy transition.”

Other benefits of LV Insights X highlighted by Siemens include a breaking down of siloes across departments, stakeholders and systems, reducing data handling efforts by up to 80% and the time required for grid model maintenance by 50%.

Further, up to 25% better investment decisions may be made based on the improved planning insights on grid segments where the usable capacity may be increased.

LV Insights X is available as a software as a service (SaaS).

The IEC 61850 standard suite provides the digital communications foundation that utilities need for DA applications such as fault location, isolation and service restoration (FLISR), which can play a pivotal role in improving standard reliability metrics.

To deploy FLISR and other IEC 61850 applications, utilities need a field area network (FAN) with extensive cellular wireless coverage across the feeder domain in the distribution grid. The FAN must also be resilient and highly reliable so that it can support uninterrupted FLISR in the midst of a storm.

IEC 61850: Standards-based communication for grid automation

The trajectory of IEC 61850 can be traced back 20 years. In 2003, IEC Technical Committee 57 published the first edition of the IEC 61850 standard, which aimed to enable the open and interoperable digital information exchanges required for substation automation applications.

As the needs of power utilities evolved and demand for automation grew, IEC TC 57 expanded its scope beyond substations to enable automation across the grid. Today, utilities can use IEC 61850 for automation between substations, for automation between substations, control centres and data centres, and for DA in the feeder domain. 

This is a significant development for utilities. For example, having the ability to automate protection, monitoring and operations in the feeder domain of distribution grids allows utilities to improve service reliability, operational efficiency and sustainability. 

IEC TR 61850-90-6:2018 defines use cases for typical DA applications in the feeder domain that require information exchanges between two or more systems, including FLISR, fault indication and reporting, centralised voltage and var control, anti-islanding protection, automatic transfer switch, energy flow monitoring and intelligent electronic device (IED) configuration. It also provides guidelines for the communication architecture and services required to support these use cases.

Using FLISR to improve distribution grid reliability

FLISR is one of the more interesting DA applications. When a fault occurs in the feeder domain, FLISR aims to quickly locate and isolate it in the feeder domain to maintain safety, minimise the duration and impact of power interruptions, and improve the reliability of the grid.

The benefits of FLISR have been well recognised. Back in 2016, a US Department of Energy study on DA revealed that FLISR can reduce the number of customers interrupted (CI) by up to 55% and the number of customer minutes of interruption (CMI) by up to 53%. However, with severe weather events causing widespread disruption on an increasingly frequent basis, FLISR has quickly attracted more attention from utilities and government regulators seeking to keep the lights on.

The beauty of FLISR is that it is a smart, self-healing application that restores power without human intervention.

For example, when a tree branch falls on a feeder circuit and causes a fault, the FLISR application detects it and identifies its location, then uses smart self-healing logic in the FLISR controller to safely bring power back to customers. The FLISR controller, which is typically integrated with the advanced distribution management system (ADMS), geographic information system (GIS) and outage management system (OMS), restores power by reconfiguring the line switches to connect homes outside the affected circuit section to another substation.

FLISR deployment comes in different flavours, as explained in IEC TR 61850-90-6:

• Based on centralised control: When a fault occurs, the main breaker trips, recloses one or more times, and then remains open. Information transmitted to the control centre helps the system or operator locate the fault and then send commands to isolate it, reclose the feeder breaker and restore power to the healthy upstream feeder section.

• Based on distributed control: The feeder equipment controller locates and isolates faults and restores service to healthy sections based on information exchanges among the IEDs that control the main breaker in the substation and the sectionaliser switches in the feeders.

• Based on local control: When a fault occurs on a feeder, the sectionalisers react to it by autonomously opening or closing according to local overcurrent or voltage measurements. The decisions are made locally, although there are communications with the master station.

Regardless of which flavour is adopted, communication over the FAN is critical. If the FAN communication paths are broken or disrupted, FLISR will fail to restore power. To take full advantage of FLISR and other DA applications, power utilities need a FAN that can extend resilient, multiservice connectivity across the feeder domain.

Converged FAN: The foundation for a reliable grid

Utilities cannot feasibly connect all sectionalisers, controllers and switches along feeder circuits using traditional transmission assets such as fibre and microwave. Therefore, cellular wireless is the transmission medium of choice for supporting IEC 61850 communications in the distribution grid. However, utilities that rely on multiple DA applications need service convergence capabilities in the FAN.

An ideal FAN architecture is one that combines IP/MPLS services and cellular wireless connectivity to extend ultra-reliable wireless connectivity to the grid edge. This approach allows utilities to bring IP/MPLS services to utility poles and low-voltage substations that lack network reachability.

With a converged FAN, a utility gains the ability to connect IEDs, feeder circuits or DA subsystems to FLISR and other DA applications in the substation or operations centre. The converged FAN capitalises on IP/MPLS services to support IEC 61850 communications and carry data from FLISR and all other DA applications with the necessary quality of service.

The following figure shows a FAN blueprint that supports FLISR by enabling IEC 61850 communications between feeders and substations.

To provide the strong resiliency required to ensure that FLISR can continue to operate when accidents or weather events disrupt electricity services, the FAN must have a fully redundant end-to-end communication path. It must also have scalable, feature-rich IP/MPLS wireless routers that can capitalise on these capabilities.

Find out more

Explore our IEC 61850 resources to learn more about how the Nokia converged FAN can provide the resilient multiservice connectivity you need to support FLISR and other DA applications and use them to make your distribution grid more reliable, efficient and agile.

Join us at the 2023 UTC Telecom & Technology Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to learn more about taking IEC 61850 wireless. I will be speaking on this topic with my colleague, Rob Wright. We hope to see you there! 

About the author

Hansen Chan is an IP Product Marketing Manager with a special focus on digital industries and government. He has worked with telecom service providers and critical infrastructure network operators worldwide for more than 25 years on protocol testing, network design and consulting, and product management. When he’s not talking networks, he’s reading up on history and religion, and listening to Baroque and 20th century classical music.

Tweet him @hchan888