Intelligent electricity networks to act as an interactive market place

08 February 2008
Intelligent electricity networks to act as an interactive market place

An electricity distribution network that operates as a cost-effective, uninterrupted and interactive market place for electricity providers and end-users is being developed in a project at Lappeenranta University of Technology.

According to Professor Jarmo Partanen, the research is based on the idea that power electronics to be used in electricity distribution networks and customer interfaces, that is electricity meters, would for its part make this kind of intelligent electricity network possible.

Adapting an intelligent electricity distribution network increases the energy efficiency of the whole electricity system. Energy saving services can be connected to the intelligent network, and the electricity production capacity can also be increased, for instance by supporting electricity use adjustable to electricity prices.

“A smart electricity market place allows customers to activily participate in the electricity market. Likewise, it makes it possible to efficiently use the nationwide disturbance reserves and, consequently, to secure an almost total elimination of interruptions,” says Professor Partanen, who heads the project.

With a view to developing an intelligent electricity distribution network, the project is committed to researching techno-economic modelling, simulation and optimation methodology of an electricity network using power electronics.

“Key research issues include the technical solutions, modelling, simulation and testing of power electronics as well as the modelling methodology of the electricity distribution system,” Partanen says. "Another focus of the research is on customer interfaces including their functions and implementation."

The project is a part of the Academy of Finland’s Sustainable Energy (SusEn) Research Programme which aims at generating new and innovative scientific knowledge about energy technology, energy systems and energy efficiency.

Another aim is to direct research to developing sustainable solutions in energy technology and energy systems as well as know-how in identifying future energy systems alternatives.

The research within the programme is carried out from a multidisciplinary perspective, including such fields as bioenergy and nuclear power as well as medical and economic sciences.

Lappeenranta University of Technology