The Open Power Grids Association (OPGA), launched as part of Enel’s Grid Futurability initiative, is releasing its first functional specification.
The Association, which was launched formally in May 2022 and now counts 32 members, was founded to bring together industry players within an open environment to share and develop standards and technologies for grid components that can support the delivery of net zero carbon emissions.
Through the Associations, members are able to access the global standards that Enel uses for its tenders, as well as to propose new standards or modifications to the existing ones.
Among the benefits envisaged by Enel at launch is the potential for an increased supply of components that conform to its standards, increasing the market reserve and lowering the costs through both competition and economies of scale.
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This convergence is then expected to provide an accelerator to the energy transition beyond that which a company such as Enel could deliver alone.
The work of the OPGA is carried out through ten technical committees made up of more than 120 representatives. These include transformers, HV lines, HV equipment, MV/LV lines, MV/LV equipment, protection and control devices, emergency equipment, HV and MV/LV systems and standardisation of sustainable certifications.
With its growing membership, the Association is focused on aiming higher, in particular on expanding the network of collaboration among distribution operators, component and technology suppliers and consulting and engineering firms, alongside its other core activities.
Most recently the Association was also promoted at CIRED 23, where Francesco Amadei, Head of Engineering and Construction in Enel Grids and OPGA President, highlighted the significant involvement of members in its work.
“A year since the launch of the OPGA, the skilled and major efforts of stakeholders will soon materialise in the issuing of its first functional specification,” he announced.
“The OPGA’s co-design approach, aimed at reducing costs, increasing efficiency and economies of scale not only preserves high quality standards for distribution grid components and devices but backs up the decarbonisation process.”
The Association was founded along with Enel by the Italian DSOs Areti (Rome), Inrete (Bologna), Deval (Aosta Valley) Edyna (Bolzano), Ireti (Genoa), SET Distribuzione (Rovereto) and Unareti (Brescia), as well as the industrial and technology groups ABB, CESI, Thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel and Tratos
Since then, new members have included Spanish distributors e-distribución and Ufd/Naturgy, the multiutility AcegasApsAmga, Italian research organisation RSE and manufacturers Matelec, Ormazabal, Prysmian, Leon Bekaert, Schneider Electric, Zaphiro Technologies, Italcementi, Tesmec Automation, SEA, Hitachi Energy, Col Giovanni Paolo, Getra Power, Powering, Repl Italia, Siemens Energy, Sipa and TS Conductor.
