Events
Smart Grids – Rules of the game for the Energy Internet
This year's TÜV NORD Dialogue, organised by the Group Representative Office in Berlin, was concerned with the energy supplies of the future. More than 100 Members of the German Parliament, along with representatives from the worlds of industry and commerce and also many leading associations and organisations, attended the event.
Smart Grids – intelligent or "clever" networks – are intended to secure energy supplies. The number of small, and in fact private, power plants is set to increase considerably over coming years: solar cells on private houses, wind energy and also biomass account for an ever-growing proportion of total supply. Energy generation will be subject to strong fluctuations due to varying weather conditions, and the task of smart grids is to compensate for this – requiring the very latest information and communication technologies.
"The network is the computer" was a slogan in the nineteen eighties. Today we could say "The network is the energy storage system", observed Prof. Dr. Hans-Jörg Bullinger, President of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, in his address. He emphasised that climate protection, security of supply and cost-effectiveness are the "three cornerstones" of the future.
Dr. Guido Rettig drew attention to the fact that the general population's desire for safety had to be taken into account when installing the necessary high-voltage cables. Rettig: "Communication is absolutely vital. The mistakes that were made in past projects must not be repeated."
During the event it became quite clear that TÜV NORD supports the development of small- and large-scale solutions in order to fulfil modern requirements as regards conversion, storage, transmission and network management in the energy systems of tomorrow. Test regulations and approval rules are continuously updated to correspond with the latest state of technology - a further field where employees of TÜV NORD are active.
Traditional electricity meters – such in the intention of a European directive – will be gradually replaced in the next ten years by so-called "smart meters". These provide exact information on electricity consumption and show when low-cost energy is available. On the other hand, energy suppliers can recognise when current is being used. All of those involved in the discussion of this subject agreed that secure data and clear invoicing are essential prerequisites for the acceptance of smart meters and smart grids. A team from TÜViT is undertaking important work on the technical implementation of the systems at the present time.
About the TÜV NORD Group
With over 10,000 employees, TÜV NORD Group is one of the largest technical service providers, offering its advisory, service and inspection expertise in over 70 countries throughout the world. Areas of activity include Industry Services, Mobility and Education and Training. TÜV NORD Group occupies a unique position in the sector based on its work in the fields of raw materials and aerospace and is firmly committed to its guiding principle and watchword: "Making our world safer".
www.tuv-nord.com
Contact for this press release:
TÜV NORD Group
Sven Ulbrich Telephone +49 (0)511 986-1540, Fax -28998435
Web: www.tuev-nord.de/en/PRESS_569.htm
E-mail subscription to press releases:
www.tuev-nord.de/en/press/Press_info_subscription_10544.htm
Download
TÜV NORD Dialogue Smart Grids
Presentation of Prof. Hans-Jörg Bullinger (German language)
