The world is shifting in the way how energy is produced, distributed and consumed. Distribution grids are experiencing a rapid change in penetration levels for distributed energy resources such as electric vehicles, energy storage systems and photovoltaic power plants. Also, an increasing number of customers adjust their electricity consumption and production according to the electricity market price that fluctuates on hourly basis, and in future, on 15-minute basis in Finland. These trends might cause significant challenges as well as grid reinforcement expenses to distribution grid operators in the future.

The objective is to find out what kind of requirements the ongoing energy transition enforces to distribution grids and how the grids should be planned and controlled to enable for a large-scale integration of DERs in a technologically and economically feasible way while maintaining safety and reliability of the grid.

Measurement data from the distribution grid shall be utilized together with Tampere University’s research solar power plant to simulate different future scenarios in the grid. This will provide valuable information on e.g. where and when future grid investments could be needed.