18NEt03 SEG-Net: Support for a European Metrology Network on smart electricity

• Research unit: METAS
• Project number: F-5213.30118

Key words (English)

Energy Transition, Renewable Energy, Electricity Grids, Smart Grids, Network, Impact, Smart Specialisation, Joint Research Agenda, Knowledge Transfer.

Short description (English)

Electricity grids are a key enabler of the "Energy Transition" towards a sustainable energy system, but face huge challenges due to, for example, the desired uptake of renewable energy sources and electric vehicles. So far, 15 joint research projects (JRPs) have provided crucial metrology support for the development of (smart) electricity grids, but their impact has been hampered by a lack of higher-level coordination.

This project will accelerate the full establishment of a European Metrology Network on Smart Electricity Grids (EMN SEG) to realise a coherent National Metrology Institute (NMI) response to smart electricity grid measurement challenges, to provide a single point of contact for stakeholders, and to maximise the impact of R&D activities.

This is a joint network project carried out in the framework of the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) (see:http://www.euramet.org/research-innovation/empir/). The EMPIR initiative is co-funded by the European Unions's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the participating states. METAS is one of the project partners in the project

Project aims (English)

The overall aim of this project is to support the European Metrology Network on Smart Electricity Grids and to accelerate its full implementation via the achievement of the following objectives:

1. To establish systems within the EMN to coordinate and align national R&D strategies, including:
   Developing a European joint strategic research agenda together with all relevant stakeholders, describing current and future stakeholder metrology needs related to smart electricity grids.
   Defining roadmaps and strategies to meet these needs. To discuss prioritisation of national R&D strategies with the aim of preventing unnecessary duplication and optimising the use of precious resources.
   Liaising with instrument manufacturers and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that early take-up of future metrology R&D is incorporated into the defined strategies.
2. To significantly enhance exploitation and uptake of research results from multiple EMRP and EMPIR JRPs and national research activities through the realisation of a virtual knowledge hub, which will serve as a single point of contact to stakeholders, providing easy access to the full range of smart electricity grid metrology research results, relevant NMI calibration services, and a help desk to submit metrology needs and/or request further information.
3. To develop a plan for a joint sustainable European metrology infrastructure for Smart Electricity Grids by stimulating smart specialisation of European NMI facilities and services, including: 
   Producing a comprehensive overview of existing facilities and services across Europe and identifying deficiencies. 
   Promoting alignment of national R&D priorities with these deficiencies and with the future needs of stakeholders. 
   Stimulating sharing and use of existing large grid-metrology infrastructure by all participants in the network and by the wider stakeholder community.
4. To create a widely visible identity as the voice of the European electricity grid metrology community (including logo, flyers, newsletters, etc) and to establish liaisons with relevant European stakeholder organisations such as ENTSO-E, CENELEC, WELMEC, EURELECTRIC, TD Europe, ESMIG and similar organisations worldwide such as IEC, OIML, CIGRÉ, with the European JRC on Smart Electricity Systems and Interoperability, and with related European H2020 research projects.
5. To set up an extensive knowledge transfer programme for the associated EMN consisting of training courses, webinars, best practice guides, and other materials such as publications, events and R&D activities with a significant training component, and a web-based platform to attract and stimulate exchange of metrology R&D researchers.