CONNECT
Innovative smart components, modules and appliances for a truly connected, efficient and secure smart grid.
Smart and efficient power to the people
The power infrastructure of tomorrow requires highly sophisticated, deeply connected and automated energy grids – so-called smart grids. The CONNECT project has demonstrated novel solutions across Europe.
Intelligent technologies are crucial for all parts of a power system – from generation, transmission and distribution, to consumption. The result is a more responsive, efficient and environmentally friendly system. The CONNECT initiative has achieved significant peak demand reduction by integrating photovoltaics and battery storage to reduce dependency on primary energy sources, therefore reducing the CO2 footprint.
“In four CONNECT use cases throughout Europe – Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, bidirectional converters achieved up to 98.5 % efficiency,” says Holger Schmidt, CONNECT project coordinator. Bidirectional energy flows optimise distributed generation, such as photovoltaic panels on building roofs. “Even small efficiency improvements have a huge impact due to the high power involved, up to 300 kW,” he explains.
CONNECT smart energy management was able to reduce the power demand, especially in peak demand periods. Strategies included effective load scheduling, smart use of energy storage and efficient utilisation of renewable energy sources matching demand and supply.
The CONNECT communication infrastructure achieves the highest level of communication security (end to end) and, at the same time, interoperability at high and scalable data rates. This provides the vital basis for realisation of both the optimal utilisation of converters and the execution of energy management procedures.
Run time: 2017 – 2021
The project is funded by EC under the ECSEL Research and Innovation Action and the grant agreement ID: 737434.
For further information: Home – Connect (connect-ecsel.eu)