The virtual energy market and intelligent electricity meters

The phasing out of nuclear power and the growing contribution of renewable energies will accelerate the structural transformation of electricity supplies in Germany.

In future, the electricity generation will be more decentralised, information on the production and demand will be continually exchanged, and there will be more flexible load- and supply-dependent tariff. Two recently published BINE-Projektinfo brochures present research projects within this context.

Virtual energy market

How can electricity grids of the future absorb large volumes of electricity from decentralised plants as well as from wind turbines and photovoltaic installations with daily and seasonal fluctuations?

In the “Mannheim Model City” project, a newly developed virtual energy marketplace for energy generators, consumers and grid operators is being tested. The project is presented in the BINE Projektinfo brochure “The electricity grid as a marketplace” (06/2011). In the project, customers can not only recognise the origin and price of their electricity but also influence the point in time and extent of their consumption. Selected customers are currently taking part in the experiment.

Electronic electricity meters are becoming all-rounders

The tried and tested electricity meters with rotary wheels are now being phased out. They are being replaced with new intelligent meters (smart meters), which not only enable a continuous exchange of information between the production and demand but also support modern load management. The devices also transmit the consumption values for the electricity bills. The BINE Projektinfo brochure “Interactive electricity grids” (07/2011) presents a research project in which a technology and communication standard for meters has been developed on behalf of large-scale customers that enables modular, manufacturer-independent expansions.

Press contact
Uwe Milles
presse(at)bine.info
About BINE Information Service
Energy research for practical applications
The BINE Information Service reports on energy research topics, such as new materials, systems and components, as well as innovative concepts and methods. The knowledge gained is incorporated into the implementation of new technologies in practice, because first-rate information provides a basis for pioneering decisions, whether in the planning of energy-optimised buildings, increasing the efficiency of industrial processes, or integrating renewable energy sources into existing systems.

About FIZ Karlsruhe

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