IGP-Rollout at Elektrilevi in Estonia

In December 2021, envelio launched a large-scale rollout of the Intelligent Grid Platform for the Estonian distribution grid operator Elektrilevi. In collaboration with the grid management service provider Enefit Connect OÜ, various grid planning processes are digitized using the Intelligent Grid Platform. Over the course of the project, the entirety of Elektrilevi’s medium voltage and low voltage grid (spanning 95 % of Estonia’s surface area) is processed as a digital twin in the Intelligent Grid Platform.

For some time now, Elektrilevi has been executing a strategy of deploying digital solutions based on cutting-edge technology in order to make the distribution grid future-proof for the energy transition. The Smart Meter Rollout in Estonia, for instance, is already completed – there is consumption data for almost all connectees. Given the rapidly increasing numbers of new consumers and distributed generators, the next focus lies on accelerating mass processes in grid planning:

“Further automation of Enefit Connect’s grid planning processes will allow us to handle the rising numbers of new connection requests in the most efficient way, while ensuring the best network service for our clients. Besides the technical evaluation and processing of new connection requests, also the planning of grid enhancements is an area where we see great potential in the IGP to support our decision-making process. Technological support is increasingly important to derive optimal investment decisions to guarantee to the society the most cost-efficient solution while securing the highest grid security.”
(Meelis Melder, Head of Planning and Project Management at Enefit OÜ)

In the scope of this project, existing Smart Meter data will be made available for grid simulations and all grid planning processes.  For this purpose, a digital twin of the real grid will be created in the Intelligent Grid Platform. This enables Elektrilevi to achieve a high transparency of the actual conditions in the grid as a basis for all planning processes. Geographical information is also considered in the grid model and in all planning processes. In the future, construction conventions and restrictions such as streets, roads, nature reserves or bodies of water can immediately be taken into account in the automated planning of new connections. By means of automation, Elektrilevi’s planning processes are significantly accelerated, eliminating a bottleneck in the rollout of new consumers and generators – without the need for additional personnel.

This project is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action as part of the Renewable Energy Solutions Programme of the German Energy Solutions Initiative.

 German Energy Agency (dena)

The German Energy Agency (dena) is a centre of excellence for the applied energy transition and climate protection. dena studies the challenges of building a climate-neutral society and supports the German government in achieving its energy and climate policy objectives. Since its foundation in 2000, dena has worked to develop and implement solutions and bring together national and international partners from politics, industry, the scientific community and all parts of society. dena is a project enterprise and a public company owned by the German federal government. dena’s shareholders are the Federal Republic of Germany and the KfW Group. www.dena.de/en

German Energy Solutions Initiative

With the aim of positioning German technologies and know-how worldwide, the German Energy Solutions Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK) supports suppliers of climate-friendly energy solutions in opening up foreign markets. The focus lies on renewable energies, energy efficiency, smart grids and storage, as well as technologies such as power-to-gas and fuel cells. Aimed in particular at small and medium-sized enterprises, the German Energy Solutions Initiative supports participants through measures to prepare market entry as well as to prospect, develop and secure new markets. www.german-energy-solutions.de/en

Renewable Energy Solutions Programme (RES Programme)

With the RES programme, the Energy Export Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK) helps German companies in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors enter new markets. Within the framework of the programme, reference plants are installed and marketed with the support of the German Energy Agency (dena). Information and training activities help ensure a sustainable market entry and demonstrate the quality of climate-friendly technologies made in Germany. www.german-energy-solutions.de/res-programm.html