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.
Deploying digital solutions
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.
Elektrilevi has been executing a strategy of deploying digital solutions based on cutting-edge technology
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:
Optimal investment decisions
"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." stated Meelis Melder, Head of Planning and Project Management at Enefit OÜ)
Grid planning processes
Geographical information is also considered in the grid model and in all planning processes
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 considered in the grid model
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.
