Integrating renewables in the European grid

The IGREENGRID (Integrating renewables in the European electricity grid) project will focus on results gained from major European distributed system operators (DSOs) in six demonstration projects. These projects concern the integration of distributed renewable energy sources (DRESs) in low- and medium-voltage grids.

The consortium comprises eight electricity DSOs and a group of major research institutes that are drawing up a set of guidelines to help the DSOs integrate the increasing share of DRESs. IGREENGRID seeks common ground among demonstrators from European countries and will promote research and share results between the partners and the wider Smart Grid community.

Project partners are investigating the connection of DRESs in distribution grids and classifying them according to their presence in different European countries and the impact on the grids. The barriers are described as technical, economical or regulatory. The consortium is also developing an assessment methodology based on key performance indicators (KPIs).

Researchers will also gather information from the projects led by the DSOs participating in IGREENGRID and other relevant demonstration initiatives. In addition, they will identify the most promising solutions for the distribution of variable distributed resources in electricity distribution networks.

The main results of IGREENGRID will be based on the experience developed through DEMO projects and the application of a KPIs evaluation model. This will allow the consortium to identify technically and economically viable solutions that will substantially increase the hosting capacity of DRESs in distribution networks.

The solutions will encourage the use of renewable energy, mitigate carbon dioxide emissions and increase energy efficiency by reducing energy losses in the power system. They will also allow better observability of distributed resources by a system operator.

IGREENGRID will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, thereby improving the quality of life of EU citizens. The new roles created by major DRESs integration will also lead to increased employment in fields that include load aggregators and service companies.