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The European Commission has launched a smart grids initiative, which is intended to upgrade and equip Europe’s electricity network by building intelligence into the existing passive delivery system. The European Grid Initiative (EEGI) proposes a nine-year research, development and demonstration programme led by electricity transmission and distribution network operators to create a smart grid. The EEGI hopes that the benefits will include:
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- Increased hosting capacity for renewable and distributed sources of electricity.
- The integration of national networks into a market-based pan-European network.
- A high level of quality of electricity supply to all customers.
- The active participation of users in markets and energy efficiency.
- The anticipation of new developments such as progressive electrification of transport.
- An economically efficient deployment of future networks.
- The opening of business opportunities and markets for new players in the smart grids arena.
A roadmap for 2010-2018, and a detailed implementation plan for 2010-2012 have been published, although the financing details have still to be sorted. The estimated cost for the nine-year period is €2 billion. Money will come from member states, the European Commission and industry, but there has been no indication of the planned breakdown of this financial support.
The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) said: “The Commission is giving strong support to the EEGI through its Seventh Framework Programme. However, the Commission also pointed out that the commitment of member states is necessary to support and fund the complete EEGI roadmap in due time.” Network operators have set out a financing proposal, which will serve as a basis for discussion, as to how to divide the costs of managing the programme, the R&D and the demonstration activities during the first two years.
The plan is to allocate half of the estimated €2 billion budget to priority projects that should start during 2010-2012. These projects cover transmission networks, distribution networks and the coordination of the two, for example, creating the tools to analyse scenarios for expanding the pan-European transmission network, developing common, open standard solutions for the next generation of smart meter infrastructure, and integrating data from all network operators for load and electricity generation modelling.