Gridspertise aims at low-voltage digitalization with two new solutions
At Enlit Europe 2023, we presented the latest additions to our portfolio: the Globy smart meter and the Low Voltage Grid Monitoring and Control suite. Ilaria Sabatello, our Head of Marketing, explained their role in addressing the evolving grid challenges in this interview.
Electricity demand is growing fast, while new charging loads, as well as distributed energy resources, are making the grid more complex. The resulting bidirectional power flows and fluctuating demand patterns require more real-time visibility for low-voltage (LV) networks.
New generation smart meters are essential for improving the visibility of the LV network, as they act as distributed intelligent sensors providing real-time data on energy consumption, enabling remote monitoring of network performance and integration of renewable energy sources.
The latest additions to our portfolio, the Globy smart meter and the LV Grid Monitoring and Control suite, are the perfect allies to meet these challenges.
Ilaria Sabatello, our Head of Marketing, explained in this interview how they are crucial in accelerating grid digitalization.
What does differentiate the Globy from our other smart meters?
Globy is a flexible device that not only helps DSOs to tackle the challenges of LV grids with bi-directional energy measurement, advanced management of technical parameters, power quality measurement and load shedding functionalities but is also adaptable to different contexts and communication protocols - hence its name. It allows DSOs to switch or adapt the communication technology directly in the field, choosing the most appropriate from a range of protocols (including G3 Hybrid PLC and RF Mesh, Cellular LTE-M and NB-IoT). In this way, Globy can improve coverage and connectivity also in rural areas with weak signals.
This smart meter is interoperable according to DMLS international standards, it can work with third-party vendor solutions and integrate backward with existing breaking down technology constraints related to proprietary frameworks and vendor-specific ecosystems. Our offer is completed by a Head-End System (HES) and Meter Data Management System (MDMS), as well as a range of services and activities with a Metering as a Service approach.
Globy is just the addition to our portfolio, but it testifies decades of expertise in grid digitalization, recently demonstrated by the milestone delivering 100 million smart meters.
What are the main features of the new solution for Low Voltage Grid Monitoring and Control?
The new solution consists of a suite of hardware and software solutions for for LV Grid Monitoring and Control. It includes a new smaller version of our iconic Quantum Edge® device, which integrates in one single solution several use cases related to the MV/LV distribution substation. Its virtualization technology allows it to act as an interoperable meter data concentrator, an RTU and a virtual router.
The solution integrates several merging units to monitor the status of the transformer and LV feeders, as well as other environmental parameters. It can be integrated with our Low Voltage Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (LV SCADA) platform that improves visibility on the real-time status of the LV grid and enables remote control functions without field intervention. It also offers real-time data and measurements from the different components of the LV grid, and its connection GIS helps DSOs to design a geographic map of the MV and LV networks. Running operations helps reduce paper-based management, while increasing efficiency.
What are the energy scenarios in which Globy and Low Voltage Grid Monitoring and Control can be applied and how they fit into our strategy?
Historically, the topology for distribution grids has not often been completely known - in particular, the segment fromsecondary substation to its downstream LV network. Now, DSOs interest has shifted from high and medium-voltage monitoring towards real-time visibility for LV network, to improve grid reliability and quality of service while reducing overall costs.
These solutions are suited for areas with a higher presence of renewables, a trend happening worldwide and in Europe especially in Germany, the South of Europe, and the Nordics. Our presence in this area will grow, also thanks to the recent acquisition of Aidon.
About Ilaria Sabatello
Ilaria Sabatello is Head of Marketing at Gridspertise, responsible for market and competitive analysis, solutions portfolio strategy, as well as marketing and go-to-market strategy at global level. She a proven track record in strategic marketing, communications, B2B / B2C product management and innovation, developed during a 15-year long journey at Enel Group, one of the leading Utilities worldwide.