INCITE · Innovative controls for renewable sources Integration into smart energy systems

Innovative controls for renewable sources Integration into smart energy systems

The continuous increase of the share of renewable energy sources is redefining the electrical networks. In future infrastructures, an important number of agents (sources, storage devices and consumers) will have intelligent interfaces allowing the regulation of the injection and extraction of power into the grid. This context will create multiple alternatives to increase the efficiency in electricity generation and consumption, to reduce energy costs and to provide a more reliable operation of electrical grids. These future networks will be only possible with suitable control algorithms. In this regard, the energetic and electric sector is changing its paradigm, making necessary to adapt the industrial sector to such new model. This change is led by the irruption of the renewable energies, energy storage, the integration of information and communications technologies (ICT) and internet, which has provoked the evolution of the classic distribution grid to the Smart Grid. “Smart grids” is the term used to cover this new model of distributed generation and active management, that is, electrical grids with intelligent agents capable of regulating the power flow in order to fulfil a wide variety of objectives. The concept of smart grids covers a number of approaches and objectives. The general objective of the research programme of INCITE is to propose innovative solutions for the challenging work of controlling and designing the future electrical networks. Another goal is to create a multidisciplinary research space with a complete view of the smart grid control sector where talented young researchers can be trained through research. In other words, INCITE aims to cover the existing gap between theory and smart grid real world applications, in order to ensure the proper understanding of the novel problems arising due to the implementation of such new technologies as well as to provide with tools that cope with such new requirements. The specific objectives of the research plan proposed within INCITE framework are as follows: • To provide ESRs with deep knowledge in control, optimisation, power electronics and power systems with a complete view of the real necessities of the main actors in the smart-grids sector. • To establish a long-term collaboration network that allows the interaction of researchers from control and power systems. • To create a multi-sectoral space where industry and academia can interact to find new and better control solutions for the future electrical networks. • To develop high-quality tools and methodologies for the control, power management and monitoring for smart grids. • To develop experimental test benches with the aim of testing and evaluating new ideas for the control of smart grids. INCITE project has developed innovative solutions to cope with such challenges aiming to make the electrical grid smarter. To do so, INCITE had a multi-sectoral consortium gathering experts on control and power systems, from academia and industry who provided innovative control solutions for the future electrical networks.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union