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Cost Minimization through Flexible Demand Optimization
Cost Minimization through Flexible Demand Optimization
13/12/2023
In the pursuit of cost minimization, OPENTUNITY is at the forefront of revolutionizing the energy landscape by optimizing the scheduling of flexible demand for consumers and energy communities. Our focus encompasses crucial elements such as HVACs (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), domestic hot water (DHW) devices, electric vehicles (EVs), and energy storage systems.
Our partner Hypertech a key player in this venture, is actively developing a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model to achieve optimal results in flexible demand optimization. The essence of this approach lies in the strategic time shifting of loads, leveraging baseline profiles provided for each asset. This strategy proves to be pivotal in achieving lower customer bills, especially when coupled with a variable price profile available to consumers.
To illustrate the tangible benefits of our methodology, consider the following example involving two households equipped with two DHW devices and an HVAC system. Through our approach, the demand is intelligently shifted to time steps when electricity prices are lower. The outcome? A substantial cost reduction of 12.5%, showcasing the efficiency and practicality of OPENTUNITY’s commitment to cost-effective energy solutions.
ENLIT, networking and Christmas wishes
ENLIT, networking and Christmas wishes
01/12/2023
This week, OPENTUNITY made its debut in the dynamic world of “ENLIT” at the EU Project Zone of ENLIT 2023, featuring a stand and active participation in a hub session centered around “Grid Technologies.”
With the festive season around the corner, this event served as a delightful pre-Christmas gathering for numerous EU-funded projects. It was an ideal meeting point for projects involved in Smart Grid and Digitalization as part of the BRIDGE initiative. The venue provided a unique opportunity to connect with other projects, foster collaborations, and highlight the benefits and potential impact of the project to other visitors on energy sector driving the energy transition.
OPENTUNITY proudly hosted a booth alongside other EU projects and engaged in the “Grid Technologies” session, which focused on the grid infrastructure and technologies crucial for facilitating the energy transition. During this session, our project coordinator elucidated that OPENTUNITY is actively developing digital solutions for the grid to support the energy transition. This includes the creation of software platforms designed to assist small Distribution System Operators (DSOs) lacking proper topology data and state estimation, thereby enhancing their functionalities.
The session featured lively discussions involving various projects such as Smart5Grid, TRANSLATE, VPP4ISLANDS, LIFE SF6-FREE HV BREAKER, LIFE SF6-FREE GIS, and SECO2ND LIFE GIS. Beyond these interactions, the session provided an opportunity to express a Christmas wish to the European Commission concerning Energy Policy.
At OPENTUNITY, our focus is on Artificial Intelligence, where data plays a pivotal role. Smart meters stand out as a primary source of this essential data. Therefore, OPENTUNITY’s Christmas wish revolves around the continuous and accelerated rollout of smart meters throughout Europe. While some countries, like Spain, have successfully completed this rollout, many other EU countries have only just begun. This lag in progress means that we are currently missing out on valuable data necessary for advancing innovative Grid Technologies in line with the goals of the energy transition.
Enhancing Line Rating for Efficient Electricity Market Operation
Enhancing Line Rating for Efficient Electricity Market Operation
06/11/2023
The Line Rating stands as an important factor influencing the efficient operation of the electricity market. Static Line Rating methodologies typically yield conservative capacity estimations, often derived from worst-case weather conditions scenarios. Improving the accuracy of current rating estimations can significantly boost the utilization of distribution system lines, increase the hosting capacity of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), and mitigate the need for costly DSO (Distribution System Operator) upgrades.
Accurately gauging the technical limits of power lines entails measuring air and conductor temperatures, solar heat intensity, and wind speed/direction. Achieving high accuracy and reliability in these estimations typically necessitates the installation of an array of sensors along the line, consequently increasing the cost of such solutions.
In the context of OPENTUNITY, ICCS partner is taking on the task of developing a cost-effective, real-time thermal rating algorithm. ICCS plans to employ machine learning techniques to incorporate numerical weather forecasts and data obtained from sensors within the OPENTUNITY ecosystem, including those in proximity to distribution lines such as RES plants and home automation systems. This approach aims to provide accurate line current rating estimations without the need for multiple sensors spanning the entire line.
ICCS is deeply engaged in research within this field, amalgamating conventional practices related to real-time current ratings derived from industry standards such as CIGRE and IEEE, as well as state-of-the-art research methods. This fusion of established and innovative approaches to real-time current rating is a promising step towards enhancing the efficiency of electricity market operation.
ENLIT's Exclusive Interview with OPENTUNITY's Project Coordinator
ENLIT's Exclusive Interview with OPENTUNITY's Project Coordinator
30/10/2023
During the European Sustainable Energy Week 2023, Alvaro Nofuentes, the project coordinator of OPENTUNITY, had the privilege of being interviewed by the Enlit team.
This insightful interview served as a platform for our project coordinator to not only introduce the OPENTUNITY project but also to delve into the pressing challenges within the renewable energy sector, highlighting the continuous demand for a skilled workforce and technological advancements. Despite these challenges, he conveyed an optimistic outlook regarding the progress being achieved in the field.
The conversation took an interesting turn towards the realm of digitalization, with Alvaro emphasizing the transformative effects of smart meter rollouts. These rollouts play a pivotal role in democratising energy data, making it accessible to consumers and providing invaluable insights for grid operators.
In discussions about the role of policy, he commended the European Commission’s BRIDGE Initiative for its role in fostering collaboration among various smart grid projects. He also underscored the Commission’s supportive role in shaping potential new regulations.
Our project coordinator’s insights serve as a powerful reminder of the significance of collaborative efforts in reaching sustainable energy objectives. The OPENTUNITY project serves as a clear demonstration of the steadfast dedication to overcoming obstacles and embracing digitalisation, ultimately playing a role in creating a greener and more efficient energy landscape.
OPENTUNITY Team Gathers in Ljubljana for Second Plenary Meeting
OPENTUNITY Team Gathers in Ljubljana for Second Plenary Meeting
05/10/2023
From October 3rd to 4th, the OPENTUNITY team convened in Ljubljana for its highly second Plenary Meeting, hosted by the Laboratory of Energy Policy (UL).
During the meeting, partners engaged in comprehensive discussions regarding the latest advancements in their respective tasks. This collaborative gathering facilitated the exchange of invaluable insights and allowed the team to explore the Slovenian site.
From a technical standpoint, the meeting included presentations on the current status of relevant use cases, providing a detailed overview of ongoing research and development efforts. As a result of these discussions, the partners collectively agreed on a set of next steps, including initiating the transmission of data from pilot sites to technical partners as per their requests and finalising the architecture modeling.
In addition to the productive discussions, the visit to Elektro Ljubljana d.d. (DSO) offered the partners a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s dynamic energy landscape.
Meeting OPENTUNITY at ENLIT 2023
Meeting OPENTUNITY at ENLIT 2023
02/10/2023
Are you planning to attend the Enlit Europe 2023 Conference? If so, don’t miss the opportunity to connect with the OPENTUNITY team at the EU Projects Zone of Enlit Europe Conference, scheduled for November 28-30 in Paris, as well as during the Hub sessions!
During the three-day event, visitors can visit OPENTUNITY at booth 7.2.H80-16. Moreover, OPENTUNITY’s project coordinator will be presenting the goals, benefits, and impact of the project as part of a special session highlighting the newly launched Horizon Europe projects within the BRIDGE initiative.
Enlit serves as a prestigious energy forum that brings industries together, ignites actionable insights, and contributes to the transformation of Europe’s energy landscape into a decarbonized and digitalized system for the energy transition. The forum covers a wide spectrum of topics in the energy agenda, ranging from decarbonizing industries and transportation to power generation and energy storage.
This gathering is set to take place at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and anticipates the participation of 12,000 attendees, more than 700 international exhibitors, and over 500 speakers. The event will also feature an EU Projects Zone, where various Horizon Energy and LIFE CET projects managed by CINEA will be showcased.
OPENTUNITY Welcomes European Commissioner for Energy at EUSEW 2023
OPENTUNITY Welcomes European Commissioner for Energy at EUSEW 2023
22/06/2023
In a remarkable moment, the OPENTUNITY team had the distinct honor of hosting Kadri Simson, the Commissioner for Energy of the European Commission, at their booth during the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW 2023). This exciting encounter took place within the ETRA’s booth, where OPENTUNITY’s mission and objectives were showcased.
The OPENTUNITY team, alongside our colleagues from ETRA, had the privilege of introducing Commissioner Simson to the core objectives of our project. We elaborated on how OPENTUNITY is poised to revolutionize the integration of distributed flexibility systems, such as batteries and electric vehicles, while simultaneously pioneering new market mechanisms within the European Smart Grids.
Commissioner Simson displayed a keen interest in the promising future of our technologies. She eagerly anticipates witnessing how these innovations will bolster grid flexibility, providing vital support to intermittent renewable energy sources.
Moreover, during the event, our project coordinator took part in the session “Smart Grids: Supporting the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources and the Transition to Clean Energy” (replay it here!). In this session, he emphasised the critical significance of establishing a Common EU Reference Framework for energy-saving applications across the European Union. This framework will play a pivotal role in the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.
Beyond the insightful session and networking opportunities within the exhibition area, OPENTUNITY had the privilege of connecting with Areti Ntaradimou from Enlit Europe. Our project coordinator engaged in a video interview, addressing the pressing topic of decarbonising EU grids and OPENTUNITY’s pivotal role in this transformative journey.
This momentous encounter with Commissioner Simson and the invaluable discussions that transpired during EUSEW 2023 underscore OPENTUNITY’s commitment to shaping a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Europe and beyond.
OPENTUNITY Team Explores Greek Pilot Site
OPENTUNITY Team Explores Greek Pilot Site
12/05/2023
Between 9-10 May, The OPENTUNITY consortium marked Europe Day in Athens with the 2nd Plenary Meeting of the project, providing an excellent opportunity for in-depth discussions and idea exchange regarding the project’s ongoing progress alongside the partners. The gathering served as a catalyst for continued collaboration, ensuring substantial headway in the project’s development.
A key highlight of this gathering was the visit to the ΔΕΔΔΗΕ Α.Ε. HEDNO S.A. facilities in Athens, which afforded the consortium a more comprehensive understanding of our pilot site in Greece.
Situated in Mesogia, in the southeastern part of Attica near Athens, the Greek pilot site is home to the Markopoulo Substation. This substation, situated at the confluence of the transmission and distribution systems, transforms voltage from the 150kV (part of TS) level to the 20kV level (part of DS). Its purpose is to supply power to 2812 residences and 123 commercial establishments.
The site boasts three 150kV/20kV transformers, each with a rated apparent power of 40/50MVA, adequately meeting the load requirements of the connected consumers. To support voltage, a capacitor bank with a capacity of 24MVar is deployed on the MV side. The pilot exhibits an impressive 27.043 MW of photovoltaic plants connected to the distribution network. HEDNO, as the DSO, IPTO as the TSO, and ICCS as the IT supporter are the principal partners involved in this endeavor.
What advantages will OPENTUNITY bring to this pilot?
Primarily, the project will enhance network observability by implementing OPENTUNITY’s topology identification and state estimation techniques in grid areas with limited monitoring equipment. This enhancement supports more intelligent grid management across the entire network.
The pilot will also introduce new planning methodologies, employing OPENTUNITY’s grid planning optimization to accommodate the integration of new distributed renewable energy sources (RES) and to facilitate the integration of electromobility and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) into the grid.
Additionally, the pilot will conduct local flexibility market testing with the assistance of Flexibility Market Operator NODES, responsible for operating the local market and managing interactions between the DSO and flexibility providers.
Lastly, TSO/DSO collaboration will be fortified through enhanced data sharing utilizing the OPENTUNITY blockchain. This ensures efficient and cyber-secure data exchange, ultimately promoting more harmonious grid management between medium-voltage (MV) and high-voltage (HV) lines.
OPENTUNITY Showcases at EUSEW 2023
OPENTUNITY Showcases at EUSEW 2023
02/05/2023
OPENTUNITY, an avant-garde energy initiative led by ETRA I+D, is set to captivate attendees at the Energy Fait of the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW 2023) in Brussels from June 20th to 22nd. OPENTUNITY Horizon EU project aims to revolutionize the energy sector by fostering a digital ecosystem that enhances energy efficiency in electricity grids, benefitting active consumers of all scales while significantly reducing energy costs.
OPENTUNITY Showcases at EUSEW 2023
Under the spotlight at the Energy Fair during EUSEW 2023, OPENTUNITY will showcase its latest ground-breaking developments, poised to redefine the energy landscape. As an advanced platform, OPENTUNITY paves the way for energy sector stakeholders to optimize their operations, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and digital tools. This transformative project empowers participants to enhance energy efficiency, thus driving down costs and forging a sustainable future.
ETRA I+D, spearheading the OPENTUNITY project, brings its extensive expertise and collaborative approach to the forefront, fostering invaluable partnerships and knowledge exchange. Through its unwavering commitment to innovation, ETRA I+D and OPENTUNITY are set to present a compelling vision of the future of energy at EUSEW 2023.
The new Opentunity project will open electricity ecosystems towards a real EU decarbonization
The new Opentunity project will open electricity ecosystems towards a real EU decarbonization
15/01/2023
On 1st January 2022, the new project OPENTUNITY on “opening the electricity ecosystem to multiple actors in order to have a real decarbonization opportunity”, funded by the Horizon Europe Programme with 8.5M€ and set for 4 years, was launched. This project, coordinated by ETRA, will be driven by a consortium of 21 partners in 8 countries throughout Europe.
The new Opentunity project will open electricity ecosystems towards a real EU decarbonization
OPENTUNITY aims to create a flexibility ecosystem reducing interoperability barriers and favouring the use of standards in order to decarbonize EU grids and put the end-user in the spotlight. Grid operators, prosumers, market actors, among others will be supported by OPENTUNITY via innovative methodologies backed by advanced, interoperable software to provide them with new features and services related to technologies to boost flexibility in prosumer’s environments and technologies for grid operators to better manage grid operations.
This will be done through the deployment of thirteen innovations than can be divided in four categories: technologies to boost flexibility in Prosumer’s environment; supporting Technologies for DSOs/TSOs to better manage grid issues; energy-specific Blockchain for supporting new grid mechanisms; and procedures for enhancing interoperability.
Through the demonstration and integration of the innovative solutions proposed by OPENTUNITY, it will be possible to create a synergic energy ecosystem where grid operators will have better technology tools and the prosumers will be able to unlock the potential of their energy assets.
OPENTUNITY will be demonstrated by the end-users of the project (4 DSOs, 1 TSO, 1 Retailer and 1 Aggregator) with the support of the technical partners. These solutions will be tested and validated in 4 different EU Countries: Greece, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland, benefitting 26.852 citizens and reducing 91,22 MtCO2eq GHG emissions and energy poverty by 30% by 2032. The project could imply a reduction of 30% in energy bills leading to a reduction in energy prices up to 5 cts/kWh in Greece, 4,98 cts/kWh in Slovenia, 6,9 cts/kWh in Spain and 6 cts/kWh in Switzerland.