Call for Projects to Develop New Solutions for Power Quality Assessment within Medium Voltage Grids

In order to efficiently limit Power Quality (PQ) issues that can affect Medium Voltage (MV) grids, ENGIE is looking for:

• Flexible PQ models (focussing on harmonics, slow- and fast voltage variations) that can be used for every MV-grid with predominantly renewable generation, loads or and/or battery storage. > With these models, we want to execute simulations before and during connection to assess possible PQ-issues.
• PQ simulation strategies (especially harmonics, slow voltage variations and fast voltage variations [voltage dips, RVC’s, flicker and transients]), i.e. accurate approaches to model possible PQ-issues before connecting the MV-grids. > We want to show compliance and limit PQ-risks by design.
• We are also interested by measurements strategies for PQ monitoring  (15 minutes RMS values, 3 seconds RMS values or 200ms values) to analyse and solve PQ problems during operation. > We want to automatically adapt the internal grid structure (i.e. filters, disconnection of assets, etc.) to PQ-matters, thanks to PQ-measurements.

The solutions what we are looking for must be easily adjustable to diverse types of grids that partly/mainly accommodate PV, Wind, EV and/or storage (such as industrial MV grids). (See more in the detailed description below).

This call for projects is directed to start-ups, scale-ups, entrepreneurs and university research groups with an expertise on PQ modelling, simulations and (continuous) monitoring.

• Opportunity to execute the project in a real-life test case (Windnet Oost-Flevoland).
• Short-term piloting opportunities in an operating environment to implement the solutions within an innovative smart grid in the Netherlands.
• Opportunity of a long-term collaboration with ENGIE Services NL and its partners.
• Expert support from ENGIE and its partners.
• Visibility : ENGIE offers an internal and external media platform which will be used to communicate about the success story.

Context and Technical data :

Due to the energy transition and the related capacity issues within current Medium Voltage (MV) electricity grids, the number of large-scale Closed Distribution Systems (CDS, >60MVA), conventional MV-grids (10MVA>approximately<100MVA) and industrial micro-grids serving renewable generation, electric vehicles (EV) and storage facilities,  will rapidly increase.

Within CDS-, MV- and micro-grids, many power-electronic converters and inductive/capacitive components are present, which increases the risk on Power Quality (PQ) matters. Here, our focus within PQ-phenomena is on harmonics, slow voltage variations and fast voltage variations [voltage dips, RVC’s, flicker and transients].

In order to limit these PQ-phenomena before connecting the MV-grids, compliance procedures are in place. Simulations/models are then necessary to analyse and prove PQ compliance to the requirements of the Transmission System Operator (TSO) or of the Distribution System Operator (DSO).

Since PQ phenomena such as harmonics depend on many uncertainties, simulations/models (especially for harmonics) are never 100% reliable and might only provide general insights. Therefore, we also need solutions for PQ measurements, for monitoring, analyses and solving PQ problems during operation.

We are seeking partners to contribute to this important and complex challenge.

We are looking for :

• Flexible PQ models (focussing on harmonics, slow- and fast voltage variations) that can be used for every MV-grid with predominantly renewable generation, loads or and/or battery storage. > With these models, we want to execute simulations before and during connection to assess possible PQ-issues.
• PQ simulation strategies (especially harmonics, slow voltage variations and fast voltage variations [voltage dips, RVC’s, flicker and transients]), i.e. accurate approaches to model possible PQ-issues before connecting the MV-grids. > We want to show compliance and limit PQ-risks by design.
  
• Nice to have : We are also interested measurements strategies for PQ monitoring  (15 minutes RMS values, 3 seconds RMS values or 200ms values) to analyse and solve PQ problems during operation. > We want to automatically adapt the internal grid structure (i.e. filters, disconnection of assets, etc.) to PQ-matters, thanks to PQ-measurements.

The solutions what we are looking for must be easily adjustable to diverse types of grids that partly/mainly accommodate PV, Wind, EV and/or storage (such as industrial MV grids). The flexible PQ models should be able to accurately simulate :

1. New MV-grids (e.g. Closed Distribution Systems, hybrid power plants, PV + wind cable pooling) that will mainly serve renewable generation (solar, wind, storage) and loads (EV, storage),
2. Existing (industrial) MV-grids that are extended by generation + storage facilities and an Energy Management System.

PQ levels should be assessed both within the internal MV grid, as at the Point of Connection (owned by the Grid Operator). 

First location of solutions’ development and test :

ENGIE, playing a leading role in the development and management of smart MV grids, currently operates and further develops an iconic and unique CDS, in the Dutch Province of Flevoland. 

The Flevoland’s grid connects >280MVA of Photo Voltaics (PV) and wind facilities and >36MVA of battery storage. It is fully equipped with measurement devices and smart technologies, such that our sustainable assets are automatically controlled via data and algorithms.

Submit your solutions and project, before May, the 31st !

For any questions, please contact the Calls for Projects Manager, Marianne Gallardo, PhD (marianne.gallardo@engie.com).