Arnhem, Thursday, 10 February – This month, the Dutch grid manager, Liander, will begin installing innovative operating systems at significant junctions in the electricity grid. These new systems will ensure that power outages are shorter and will allow the energy supply to become more sustainable. Liander engaged Locamation and Liandon to develop this technology. This technology puts Liander at the forefront of international developments. Implementation will take seven years at an approximate annual cost of € 15 million. It is the first significant investment in smart medium-voltage grids in the Netherlands.
The junctions in the electricity grid – the distribution substations – will be fully digitalised, which means that significant power outages can be solved more quickly. Where the system – the SASensor - is installed, power outages last 30% less on average. This is because it now takes less than a minute to identify the precise location of a power outage. Consequently, engineers can start restoring the electricity supply virtually immediately. As a result, a significant power outage lasts around an hour instead of one and a half hours. It will take seven years to digitalise the distribution substations throughout the grid. This is the first step on the way to the further digitalisation of the grid, gradually leading to greater reductions in the length of power outages in the future.
The digitalisation of the distribution substations – a first step in making the grids smart - plays an important role in the sustainable energy supply of the future. The voltage quality in the grid will be measured continuously. This is important for the reliability of the grid if more and more customers start generating and delivering back electricity using wind turbines or solar panels.
Over the past few years, Liander has digitalised several distribution substations and conducted extensive tests. The technology has been developed further into a robust system. The first distribution substations will be fully digitalised this year. All other junctions will follow. Currently there are no comparable systems available on the market. Globally, Liander is taking the lead with this innovation.
Liander is a Dutch regional grid manager, transporting electricity to 2.9 million customers and gas to 2.1 million customers in the provinces of Gelderland, Noord-Holland and large areas of Flevoland, Friesland and Zuid-Holland. Liander is responsible for the maintenance, expansion and innovation of its grids. Liander also allows its customers to purchase energy from their supplier of choice.
Liander is part of Alliander.
Alliander, Media Relations, Carlo van der Borgt, spokesperson
Telephone: +31 26 844 22 66, e-mail:
woordvoering@alliander.com
