VDE|DKE introduce standardization roadmap for smart grids
On the 2nd of February 2010 experts from the German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies of DIN and VDE (VDE|DKE) in Berlin presented a draft of the German standardization roadmap for the new "E-Energy" and smart grid technologies. "The roadmap is intended to strengthen Germany's competitive position as regards these technologies and to effectively promote E-Energy activities within Germany", explained Dr. Michael Zinke of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi). Specialists will have the opportunity to help shape the roadmap by submitting their comments at www.dke.de until the 5th of March 2010. The VDE|DKE will then use these comments to expand on the roadmap, the updated version of which will be presented at the Hanover Fair on 21 April 2010 at the "Life Needs Power" Energy Forum.
The German Federal Government wants to significantly increase the share of renewable energies in power supply. To realize the "smart grid", the further development of the latest technologies, a comprehensive upgrade of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, and the development of standards and specifications are absolutely necessary. "The necessary flow of information on the various stages of the energy supply chain – ranging from power generation to its distribution to the end user, including household devices – presents the greatest challenge", said VDE|DKE standardization expert Johannes Stein. Important cross-cutting topics for smart grids include information security, data protection and the use of data models across interfaces: These issues are not only essential to the functioning of the energy supply system but also for user acceptance. The roadmap also focuses on the implementation of an energy generation and load management system which will serve as a basis for the integration of a decentralized supply of renewable energies. The relevant standards projects are being gathered at the VDE|DKE "E-Energy Competence Centre".
The fluctuating supply of renewable energies and the integration of numerous decentralized energy generators such as small cogeneration units make a new system for managing energy supply necessary. According to the VDE, an effective integration of the large number of actors –energy generators and suppliers, the various market participants and service providers, as well as the industrial, commercial and private end users – will only be possible through further developments in the ICT sector. The "smart grid", in its broadest sense, involves the combination of new energy and ICT technologies to address future challenges facing the energy economy. Because German businesses and politicians recognized the key significance of the smart grid early on, the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) has formed an interministerial partnership with the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) to realize this vision by initiating the "E-Energy" funded programme.
The joint BMWi and DKE/VDE symposium held on 2 February in Berlin was titled "E-Energy – From vision to cross-sectoral realization ". More than 160 participants discussed the intelligent networking of energy generation, storage, distribution and consumption, as well as the development of the necessary standards and specifications.
For more information on the VDE|DKE "E-Energy Competence Centre" and to submit comments on the E-Energy/Smart Grid standardization roadmap, go to www.dke.de/KoEn (at present in German only).