On Scalability and Replicability of Smart Grid Projects—A Case Study

Abstract

This paper studies the scalability and replicability of smart grid projects. Currently, most smart grid projects are still in the R&D or demonstration phases. The full roll-out of the tested solutions requires a suitable degree of scalability and replicability to prevent project demonstrators from remaining local experimental exercises. Scalability and replicability are the preliminary requisites to perform scaling-up and replication successfully; therefore, scalability and replicability allow for or at least reduce barriers for the growth and reuse of the results of project demonstrators. The paper proposes factors that influence and condition a project's scalability and replicability. These factors involve technical, economic, regulatory and stakeholder acceptance related aspects, and they describe requirements for scalability and replicability. In order to assess and evaluate the identified scalability and replicability factors, data has been collected from European and national smart grid projects by means of a survey, reflecting the projects' view and results. The evaluation of the factors allows quantifying the status quo of on-going projects with respect to the scalability and replicability, i.e., they provide a feedback on to what extent projects take into account these factors and on whether the projects' results and solutions are actually scalable and replicable.

Distributed energy storage aggregation, quantitative evaluation of replicability and scalability

“…The following approach is used: a flexibility requests is issued when the load in the neighbourhood at time t (Wl,t) exceeds the rating of the transformer (Rtr). The size of the flexibility request (FWl,t) is equal to the difference between the load and the transformer rating when this is positive, as shown in (1). The value of the flexibility (FEl,t) requested is modelled taking inspiration from the penalties applied to the breaching of the contractual power in the French regulation: the penalty is roughly 10 times the average market value of electricity (Pe,y) as shown in (2).…”

“…In order to understand the potential of the solutions tested, an evaluation of their performance in other conditions is therefore necessary, but extremely difficult due to the complex nature of the problem. According to [1] both problems can be seen as the result of the interaction of four quite diverse factors: 1) technical, 2) economic, 3) regulatory and 4) acceptance. For this reason evaluations of replicability and scalability have been conducted though surveys or discussions with experts such as in [1], [2] and [3].…”

“…According to [1] both problems can be seen as the result of the interaction of four quite diverse factors: 1) technical, 2) economic, 3) regulatory and 4) acceptance. For this reason evaluations of replicability and scalability have been conducted though surveys or discussions with experts such as in [1], [2] and [3].…”

Creating Smart Energy Cities for Sustainability through Project Implementation: A Case Study of Bolzano, Italy

“…This is attributed to the complexity of urban systems, financing, technology transfer, feasibility, and demand response. As a result, the authors of [78,80] suggested essential technical, economic, stakeholder, and regulatory factors that underpin the successful scalability and replicability of any urban development projects.…”

“…In the meantime, the replication of a form of scalability, which incorporates international transferability of the components the SEC projects, can be duplicated in other geographical locations. These are vital objectives in establishing the "pioneer-follower" city relationship business model that has been adopted by the EIP-SCC, as they reduce barriers to implementation in follower cities [80]. According to [16,79], although there is a proliferation of SEC projects, many are unable to transcend beyond the demonstration/pilot phase to create broader multi-benefits.…”