From One-Way Roads to Superhighways: Revolutionizing Electrical Distribution Grids with DERMS
By Luka V. Strezoski, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad; DerMag Consulting International
Introduction:
In the past, electricity was like a one-way road from big power plants to our homes and businesses. The system was pretty straightforward — electricity flowed in one direction, with strategically placed equipment ensuring the power levels remained constant and within safe limits. Our local electricity networks — the distribution grids — were simple: power travelled in a straight line from supply stations to our houses and workplaces. The people running these systems, so-called Distribution Network Operators, didn’t have to do much day-to-day fiddling; a lot of their work was done with paper and pencil.
But things are changing! We’re moving towards using more clean energy, like wind and solar, to help our planet by cutting down on pollution. Many of these energy resources, especially solar panels, are connected directly to the distribution grid. However, wind and solar energy don’t always flow steadily — they can be as unpredictable as the weather — so we need batteries or other storage systems to save the energy for when it’s calm or cloudy. Plus, more people are driving electric cars, which need to be charged, just like our phones. All this means our electricity distribution system has to evolve into something much more complex, but at the same time, smarter and more adaptable. It’s transforming from a simple one-way road into a complex, bustling network with energy zipping in all directions. At the heart of this transformation is the need for an intelligent system that can think on its feet, making quick decisions to aid grid operators in ensuring our energy is reliable, our air stays clean, and our modern lives keep humming along smoothly.
As we stand at the crossroads of an energy evolution, it’s clear that the journey from the old, straightforward electricity paths to the superhighways of a cleaner, smarter grid is well underway.
The Evolving Role of Distribution System Operators:
Think of emerging Distribution System Operators (DSOs) like the managers of a busy and extremely complex electrical city. They’ve got to keep the power flowing safely and affordably, make sure everything works right and fix problems quickly, even when the unexpected happens — like a surprise traffic jam in our electrical city. They’re also the city planners for our electrical future, figuring out how much power we’ll need and looking for ways to deliver it without always building new power plants and power lines.
More specifically, as we plug in more solar panels, wind turbines, energy storages, and electric cars, they’re giving our old electricity delivery a whole new shape. Sometimes, there’s more power being made than we need, like on sunny days when solar panels are cranking it out, and other times, there’s not enough, like on cloudy days or at sunset. Electric cars are like portable power banks on wheels, adding or taking power as they charge up or drive around. All this can cause a bit of a stir in the power levels and quality, and can even trip up our system when there’s a glitch.
Because things are getting more complicated, the old ways of managing with paper and pencil just won’t cut it anymore — these electrical city managers need high-tech tools to keep up with the times. DSOs have to rethink their old maps and tools – they’re just not up to the task anymore. To keep everything in check, a smart, central system is becoming the new must-have tool for those managing our electricity highways, ensuring power gets to where it needs to go, all smooth and steady.
The Brain Behind the Grid: Introducing Utility DERMS:
Enter the Utility Distributed Energy Resource Management System (Utility DERMS), a cutting-edge software system, tailored for this new electric landscape. It’s the mastermind behind the scenes, a command center that continuously monitors and manages the multitude of power sources dotting our grid. With a bird’s-eye view of everything from solar farms to wind turbines, DERMS ensures that each kilowatt is used to its fullest potential.
This sophisticated system doesn’t just watch over the grid—it empowers our DSOs to steer these complex networks confidently. DERMS serves as the brains, providing DSOs with real-time data and control over the myriad of energy sources that now populate our grid. It’s the essential tool that enables them to maintain a delicate balance between supply and demand.
When clouds cloak the sun or the wind falters, DERMS is the DSO’s right hand, seamlessly integrating backup power from batteries and other sources to keep our lights on and machines running. It’s a vigilant watchdog, ensuring that on those days when the sun blazes, or the wind howls, our grid doesn’t buckle under too much power. With DERMS, DSOs can navigate these fluctuations, using the system’s intelligent insights to make quick, informed decisions that keep the energy flowing reliably.
Moreover, DERMS is the ally that helps DSOs make smarter investments for the future. It enables them to squeeze the most out of every asset, to repurpose what we have in smarter ways, and to explore new, cost-effective paths instead of laying down more cables and erecting new stations. By leveraging DERMS, DSOs can usher in an era of dynamic grid management, where every player, from the largest power plant to the smallest solar panel, works in harmony. This is the new era of electricity—complex, yes, but navigable and efficient, thanks to the partnership between DERMS and the savvy DSOs at the helm.
Conclusion:
As we stand at the crossroads of an energy evolution, it’s clear that the journey from the old, straightforward electricity paths to the superhighways of a cleaner, smarter grid is well underway. The introduction of DERMS is not just a technological advancement; it’s a game changer that empowers our Distribution System Operators to navigate this new terrain with precision and foresight. With its ability to seamlessly integrate diverse energy sources, anticipate demands, and prevent disruptions, DERMS is the unsung hero, ensuring that our transition to sustainable energy is smooth and secure. It heralds a future where electricity isn’t just a utility but a dynamic resource, smartly managed to support our planet, power our lives, and propel our societies forward. As we embrace these changes, we can look forward to a world where energy is not only abundant and clean but also intelligently adapted to our ever-evolving needs. The promise of a balanced, efficient, and resilient grid is no longer a distant dream but a rapidly approaching reality, powered by the ingenuity of DERMS and the human minds behind it.
References
1. Strezoski, L. (2023). Distributed energy resource management systems—DERMS: State of the art and how to move forward. WIREs Energy and Environment, 12(1), e460. https://doi.org/10.1002/wene.460
2. L. Strezoski, H. Padullaparti, F. Ding and M. Baggu, “Integration of Utility Distributed Energy Resource Management System and Aggregators for Evolving Distribution System Operators,” in Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 277-285, March 2022, doi: 10.35833/MPCE.2021.000667.
3. Strezoski, L.; Stefani, I. Utility DERMS for Active Management of Emerging Distribution Grids with High Penetration of Renewable DERs. Electronics 2021, 10, 2027. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10162027
4. L. Strezoski, I. Stefani and B. Brbaklic, “Active Management of Distribution Systems with High Penetration of Distributed Energy Resources,” IEEE EUROCON 2019 -18th International Conference on Smart Technologies, Novi Sad, Serbia, 2019, pp. 1-5, doi: 10.1109/EUROCON.2019.8861748.
About the author:
Luka V. Strezoski completed his B.S., M.Sc., and Ph.D. with honors at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, culminating with a Ph.D. in 2017, jointly supervised with Case Western Reserve University, USA. As an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, he heads the Power Engineering and Applied Software Department and directs the Smart Grid Laboratory. He founded DerMag Consulting International, offering consulting and R&D in smart grid applications and systems, and sits on the Industrial Advisory Board for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), USA. His experience in industry includes a tenure at Schneider Electric (2017-2023) in various roles, including Product Manager and Principal Consultant for ADMS and DERMS. Dr. Strezoski has been involved in numerous projects funded by the European Union, the US and Serbian Governments, and various industrial projects focusing on deploying ADMS and DERMS solutions worldwide. He serves as an editor for several international journals, is a Senior Member of IEEE, and chaired the 2022 IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Europe conference.