Siemens is taking part in a smart grid pilot project in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, that will connect 20,000 homes with renewables and storage facilities.
The project will see Siemens collaborate with Dutch grid operator Stedin and utility Lyv Smart Lyving to connect 20,000 ‘smart home solutions’ with local distributed energy generators including solar and onshore wind.
Siemens will provide its decentralized energy management system (DEMS), which will serve as a platform for the smart electricity grid in Rotterdam balance the fluctuations of generation and loads, in addition to compensate power peaks in the grid.
Siemens and Accenture joint venture firm Omnetric Group will offer IT services for Rotterdam pilot project.
Rotterdam project, which will start in the Rotterdam district of Merwe-Vierhavens, is being designed to control power generation and consumption. It will enable to even out consumption peaks, avoid grid overloads and save energy and distribution costs.
The smart grid will also allow companies and households to generate power themselves, helping to turn customers into prosumers rather than mere consumers.
The partners intend to extend the smart grid to other districts, after successful completion of the test phase. Later, it will also be expanded to the surrounding region outside Rotterdam, providing million additional connections.
Smart Electricity Grid Rotterdam is planning to optimize energy balance by 2050 through working with locally generated power from photovoltaic plants and wind turbines.
Image: Siemens will provide its decentralized energy management system for Rotterdam pilot project. Photo: courtesy of Siemens AG.