New report summarises Smart grids session at Nordic Climate Solutions

This September Nordic Energy Research hosted a lively panel discussion tackling an issue pivotal in realising our renewable energy and greenhouse gas emission targets – the “Smart Grid”. A report of the event summarises the discussions and brings forth a number of key conclusions for international cooperation in smart grid development.

Smartening up the electricity grid is a crucial step in bringing the necessary wind, solar and other weather-dependent renewable energy sources online in the near future. Titled “International Technology Collaboration on Intelligent Energy” The panel discussion formed one of the main parallel sessions of the Nordic Climate Solutions conference – Northern Europe’s largest meeting place for stakeholders within transport and energy.

The session offered Nordic, European and North American perspectives on the role of international R&D cooperation in making the production, transmission, distribution and consumption of electricity more intelligent, thanks to the four international panellists: Henrik Bindslev, Director of RISØ DTU; Duncan Botting, CEO of ITI Energy Scotland; Loren Cox, Associate Director, Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, MIT; and Mats Nilsson, Head of Unit and Economist at Vattenfall Nordic Generation. Birte Holst Jørgensen, then Director of Nordic Energy Research, moderated the session.

Report summary
Firstly, the session clarified the need for a smarter grid. While the traditional grid was effective at moving a steady supply of electricity from A to B, the introduction of intermittent renewable sources and producer/consumers has complicated the situation dramatically. This has necessitated a smarter grid, which brings with it many challenges and opportunities.

Secondly, a number for potential avenues for international technology cooperation were highlighted. An issue that stood out was the development of protocols and standards, which are crucial to the internationally connected electricity grid. Other issues included the need to reassess the architecture of the grid when deploying smart solutions, the need to research better market regulation and communication of market signals, and the need for proper handling of sensitive information and cyber security issues.

Thirdly, while the need for a smart grid is clear, the definition of a smart grid is not. Smart metering and smart contracts were brought up in the discussion, but the concept of a smart grid extends far beyond those. The need for a common definition was highlighted as a prerequisite to proper international cooperation on smart grids.

Fourthly, the need to prioritise and act fast was emphasised by the close proximity of our political targets and the long timeframe needed for the development of grid infrastructure.

Lastly, international technology cooperation was put forward as a key ingredient in smart grid development. Not only because the task is so immense, but because without shared visions, goals and definitions, the necessary prioritisation and structuring of smart grid deployment will become all the more difficult.

Related article: Smarter Together: Nordic Collaboration on Intelligent Energy

Download the full report below.