A lack of knowledge about drivers and transfer methods from a smart grid pilot or demonstration project to another location has been identified by the Grid+ project, given the differences in technological constellations, national and regional market conditions and social acceptance. Therefore, the ReFlex project aims to develop a replicability concept and guidelines for the deployment of technologically feasible, market based and user-friendly solutions for smart grids with a high level of flexibility.
The focus is on grids with expectedly high level of renewable energy production which shall be effectively and efficiently used locally through a mix of measures in voltage regulation, demand side management and storage.
ReFlex is based on evolving smart grid pilots from large demo-regions (Salzburg, Gotland, Hyllie, Rolle) and smaller demo-regions with less than 15,000 inhabitants (Güssing, Hartberg, Biel-Benken, and Wüstenrot) from Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Sweden.
Drawing on the learning experience among ReFlex partners, replicability-guidelines were elaborated to support the demo regions and the wider group of European smart grid stakeholders in deploying and advancing their smart grid initiatives. As a cross-cutting activity within the ERA-Net, ReFlex contributes to the Knowledge Communities.
The project released the ReFlex Guidebook, a guidebook that includes guidelines for the replicability of solutions for flexible smart grids, and also a Policy Brief, summarizing the key issues for policy makers.