CloudGrid : the development of a transnational smart grid lab cooperation

This paper describes the background to and structure of the ERA-Net Smart Grids Plus project Transnational Cloud for Interconnection of Demonstration Facilities for Smart Grid Lab Research & Development, “CloudGrid”. The goal of the CloudGrid project is to provide recommendations and strategies to meet the challenges of the future power system, to facilitate larger amount of intermittent renewable generation together with less nuclear production while providing a secure and reliable electrical power supply. The development of smart grid solutions is a key element to meet the challenges of the future power system. A decreased impact on the environment is the requirement which has started the systemic change which we see in the electrical power system. By developing and implementing solutions which provide an enhanced flexibility of the power system, we will be able to maintain a high reliability of electricity while utilising the power system in a more efficient manner and decreasing the environmental impact. The research in the CloudGrid project will focus on three areas: system stability, ancillary services, and interoperability between converters. These three areas are highly complementary, providing the project with a holistic view of the challenges of the future grid. Stability is a prerequisite for operating the power system, and there is a need to develop new solutions and methods in order to maintain system security in a system which is utilised in an increased and altered manner. With new components and systems integrated in the power system, there will also be new opportunities to support the system through additional ancillary service solutions and novel market concepts. An increased amount of power electronics in the system is a enabler for increased flexibility. However, this places increased requirements on compatibility and interoperability between the various converters. The method used in the CloudGrid project to improve the research is to increase the cooperation between the partners based on an interconnection between smart grid labs. The establishment of this transnational smart grid cloud shall facilitate possibilities to validate research result in different laboratory environment, in this way the project will be able to provide solutions with a broader level of validation and suitable for a wider range of equipment. The CloudGrid project is a cooperation between the Swedish, Norwegian, Swiss, and Latvian partners: STRI, Chalmers Technical University, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, and Institute of Physical Energetics. The CloudGrid started in March 2016 and continues until March 2019, and has a total budget of 2.3M€.