Innovative Devices for LV Power Grid Service Quality

Challenge

The Distributed power Generation (“DG”) model is an approach that uses small-scale technologies and renewable energy sources to produce electricity where it is most useful – close to the end user.

DG can cause voltage fluctuations and overvoltage conditions on low-voltage lines, especially during off-peak periods. DG can change the voltage profile along the distribution line and cause reverse power flow, complicating voltage regulation and protection schemes. In parallel, the current imbalance between the 3 phases will also lead to differences in the voltage of the 3 phases and an increase in technical losses. Careful regulation through the use of innovative automation equipment is essential to maintain acceptable voltage levels in existing infrastructures and thus maintain the quality of service to our customers according with the European standard EN 50160. 

The Solution

Enel Grids is looking for innovative solutions to improve the management of voltage deviations and current imbalances in Low Voltage (LV) networks, which are increasingly experienced, aggravated by growing penetration of distributed renewable generation.

The benefits will be:

• Dynamic voltage regulation capabilities, not fixed, hence adaptable to hourly, daily seasonal, changing conditions of the LV networks;
• Reducing technical losses by balancing the phases and correcting the reactive power;
• Contribute to compliance with voltage limits along the LV line and increase of hosting capacity for new consumers, producers or prosumers;
• To be integrated within Enel solutions’ catalogue for voltage management solutions.

Advanced stand-alone equipment, based upon Power electronic components to control voltage and current in LV lines with a high proliferation of distributed generation dynamically and automatically, will be installed along LV lines. These will manage voltage per phase individually and be in accordance with the European standard EN 50160. 

Main technical requirements:

• Rated voltage :400V
• Frequency 50/60 Hz
• Operational temperature: -10°C÷ +70°C
• Medium stage of development (TRL>5)

The solution must have the following qualities:

• Voltage control. Regulate line voltage independently per phase;
• LV current phase balancer. Redistribute currents between the 3 phases of a LV line, inherently balancing phase voltages;
• Harmonic Filtering. To reduce the harmonic contents of voltage and currents and improve service quality;
• Grid parameters monitoring: Be able to monitor current, Voltage, power factor, THD, active and reactive power. 
• Autonomous operation: Be able to operate autonomously in respect of the grid status
• Vandal-resistant: in order to avoid the risk of damage in outdoor installation, the solution must be suitable for the outdoor installation, ground mounted with minimum need of civil works to be set. 
• Fault protection: Embedded overvoltage and short-circuit protection
• Standard compliance: The proposed solution must be compliant with the main safety requirements of the European Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/UE

Nice to have:

• Equipped with single-phase disconnectors
• Equipped with supercapacitors or batteries to absorb transient fluctuations of active power
• Integrable in Enel’s street box ( https://www.e-distribuzione.it/archivio-news/2023/11/le-cassette-stradali-hanno-un-nuovo-look.html): maximum dimensions 500 (Width)x500 (Height)x200 (Depth) mm

Deliverables

 Proposals shall be submitted to the platform openinnovability.com in a single stage including the following information in English:

• Solution name/title and overview 
• Solution detailed description
• Development Roadmap to market, indicating the estimated time for design, certification and prototypes
• Budget Estimation for Proposal development
• A detailed and clear estimation of the final price of the solution 
• Supporting Documentation: Any additional supporting materials, diagrams, simulations, or research that help in understanding and evaluating the proposed solution.

Webinar

SAVE THE DATE! Join us for a workshop dedicated to this challenge that will take place on 3 October 2024 (Download the Workshop Calendar Here)

You will have the chance to hear from the Challenge Owner about the challenge details and to ask questions directly to the Enel Grids team: don’t miss the opportunity to perfect your solution and meet the solution requirements.

What Happens Next?

After the Challenge deadline, the Challenge Owner will complete the review process and decide with regards to the Winning Solution(s). All participants that submit a proposal will be notified on the status of their submissions however, no detailed evaluation of individual submissions will be provided.

The Challenge Owner will evaluate the proposal considering the Solution required features and characteristics, focusing the following criteria:

• Overall scientific and technical feasibility of the proposed solution;
• Economic potential of concept (e.g. Total Cost of Ownership);
• Business potential for the Challenge Owner;
• Novelty and not obviousness;
• Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the technology novel or protectable);
• User’s capabilities and related experience;
• Realism of the proposed solution;
• Maturity level of the proposal.

If the reward includes the opportunity to collaborate with Enel, once one or more suitable solutions have been identified, Enel will reserve the opportunity to start a collaboration, by way of example, on all or part of the following activities:

• Test execution;
• Supply of prototypes (if the solution includes equipment);
• Installation and site tests;
• Follow up and monitoring of the proposed idea behavior.

At the end of the assessment, you will receive feedback.

In case of success, an Enel contact person will get in touch with you to discuss the next steps.

The final award for this Challenge is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the pre-awarding process, including acceptance of the Challenge Regulation that is the regulation for this Challenge.

The pre-awarding process includes obtaining some documents from the participants such as Counterparty Analysis Questionnaire (CAQ) and Challenge Regulation signed.