FP7

The significant rise in renewable energy sources has placed an enormous burden on the secure operation of the electrical grid, impacting both the transmission system operators (TSOs) and distribution system operators (DSOs). The massive growth and popularity of those renewable energy sources has led to a bidirectional power flow and has caused differences in voltage, raising an urgent need for new operational and control strategies in order to maintain the ability of the system to provide the consumers with a reliable and quality supply of electricity.

INCREASE investigates the optimal control strategy and the development and integration of this strategy. Apart from the management of renewable energy sources in the distribution net, also the provision of ancillary services (for both the distribution and transmission system operators), the voltage and the reserve supply are covered. INCREASE will also investigate the regulatory framework, the technical regulations and the available ancillary services. Afterwards, INCREASE will propose adjustments to facilitate provisioning of ancillary services as these are necessary for the proper functioning of the electricity grid.

INCREASE will ensure that renewable energy sources and loads can go beyond just exchanging power with the grid, enabling the distribution system operators to evolve from congestion manager to capacity manager. This will result in a more efficient exploitation of the current grid capacity, thus increasing the energy sent to the grid at a lower cost. Due to the more efficient use of the existing infrastructure, grid tariffs could decrease, resulting in a lower cost for the consumers.

Naturally, the results and developments of the research will need to be tested. In the first instance this will be done in a simulation platform. This platform will also serve as a tool for the distribution system operator to investigate the influence of renewable sources on the grid. Afterwards the results will be further validated by lab tests and field trials (in Belgium, Austria, Slovenia and the Netherlands).

Partners

• Ghent University
• Elia
• Eandis
• Elektro Gorenjska
• Liander
• Stromnetz Steiermark
• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
• Joanneum Research
• Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
• University of Ljubljana
• Alenco
• Korona
• Mastervolt International

Further information

INCREASE is supported by FP7 – Energy of the European Commission for the period September 2013 – December 2016.

Budget: 4,3 M€

More information on INCREASE is available on the project website: http://www.project-increase.eu.