Future smart energy systems: Technology is not enough; consumers must be involved to attain the goal

Energi Solenergi Vindenergi Klimaændringer Klimatilpasning

To fight climate change, future energy production must be based on renewable energy. The problem is that these energy resources are variable, and thus might threaten the security of supply. We need new, smart energy systems to compensate for that fact. DTU now presents key results of seventeen years of research and development toward smart energy systems.

At COP22 in December 2016, world leaders confirmed their full support for the global climate agreement reached in Paris in December 2015. Addressing these issues will, among others, involve a massive increase in the utilization of sustainable energy like wind, solar and biomass. Most of these are variable energy resources, which calls for a great transformation of our energy systems in order to maintain the security of supply. We need smarter energy systems that are able to compensate for the variable energy production.

The International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) serves as a mechanism for international cooperation to accelerate the development and deployment of smarter electricity grid technologies and systems around the world.

Based on the seventeen years benefits of research and development within the framework of ISGAN, DTU now arranges a one-day seminar on the 23th August that will present and discuss central aspects of the transition to a smart electricity grid and flexible energy system, focusing on two themes:

1. Experiences from real-world demonstration projects (morning).

2. Consumer behaviour in relation to take action in a Demand Response context (afternoon).

Experts from research, civil society and industry will address these themes in two main research blocks to provide the seminar participants a chance to get a unique preview of the future, flexible energy system.

As an extra benefit, participants will receive a printed copy of the publication “Smart Grid Transitions: System solutions and consumer behaviour”, which will be released at the seminar.

"The seminar is a unique opportunity to learn about innovative research and demonstration projects that will contribute to the transition to a smart grid in Denmark and elsewhere. The seminar focuses on the key role of consumer engagement in this transition as well as on solutions that operate at aggregated or higher levels in the energy system. I look especially forward to the key note address by Klaus Kubeczko from the Austrian Institute of Technology and to the site-visit at the DTU PowerLabDK" says co-organiser Simon Bolwig, DTU Management Engineering.

Participation is free of charge, but tickets are limited and will be given on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis, so please register using the following link: http://www.conferencemanager.dk/ISGAN2017. Deadline for registration is 20 August.

Contact: Rikke Brinkø, +45 46775182, rikbk@dtu.dk.