Smart control of flexible end-user loads to cope with power shortages

This innovation will help to manage extreme situations in the electricity grid without complete grid shutdowns.

• Emergency operation of power grids
• Energy shortage
• Flexibility
• Demand Management

End of 2022, large parts of Europe were threatened with an electricity shortage. In Switzerland, measures have been prepared for such an eventuality as part of the so-called “Ostral.” At the highest escalation level, distribution grid operators would have to switch off entire grid areas every four hours in order to significantly reduce electricity consumption in their grid area. An alternative to the complete shutdown of entire grid sections is the targeted control of flexible loads at end customers, such as heat pumps, electric boilers or charging stations for electric vehicles. In Repower's supply area, these devices demonstrably account for a significant proportion of the total load in winter (approx. 50%). The controlled management of these loads helps to avoid entire grid shutdowns. Although the comfort of end customers cannot be maintained at the normal level in such a situation, in an emergency at least the other appliances in the household would work and customers would have light, be able to cook and communicate.

For an extension of the "Smartpower" load control system for critical grid situations, a number of questions remain unanswered that need to be researched in depth:

• Definition and implementation of a central control/incentive signal for power management
• Controlled consumption/comfort reduction for end customer loads
• Design of a stable control loop for load adjustment

Following extensive simulations and laboratory tests, the approach will be tested in practice in a field trial in Repower's supply area. This innovation will help to manage extreme situations in the electricity grid without complete grid shutdowns.