Efacec, EDP and Silver Spring Networks have started a new smart grid pilot-project designated as the Batalha project. The first Portuguese Smart Grids project – InovGrid – was started in 2007, in Évora city. The experience and knowledge gained with this project has allowed the application in the similar initiatives in other Portuguese cities.

The InovGrid solution is composed by several network automation levels that include, among others, energy meters, distribution transformers controllers, communication networks and information systems. It is a base for advanced metering management systems (AMM). The 4th phase of InovGrid aims to implement smart grids paradigms with remote energy management, to create integrated automation with components of distribution automation (DA), advance infrastructure metering (AMI) and RF Mesh communication integrated.

A power network with DA component implemented enables a set of advanced functions like fault detection, MV network control, particularly FDIR, self-healing; also the LV network will be endowed with new functionalities like alarms, distribution transformers monitoring, LV load unbalance, LV fault detection and LV energy balance.

The LV network with AMI equipment integrated in its infrastructure will be able to perform fault detection, energy balance, and public lighting control; to integrate and control microgeneration, to integrate electrical vehicles and to implement the fraud detection, among others.

The scope of Efacec works for the Batalha project includes supply of more than five thousand smart meters M Box with RF Mesh communications, integration of more than one hundred of third party street light smart meters, as well as supply of Efacec’s intelligent controllers G Smart (including a virtual version) for more than one hundred distribution transformers. Moreover, the network control and detection devices will be implemented, such as OCR and FCI (Fault Current Indicators).

Regarding the system, new solutions will be applied, namely, the self-healing solution, and public lighting control and parameterization platform eLumen. All relevant information regarding the MV/LV level will be integrated at the network management platforms - CLP 500 and ScateX+.

The region of Batalha was chosen due to its dimension and difficulties to fulfill the power quality standards. This project will allow EDP to evaluate the solutions and products implemented having in mind the improvement of quality and safety of the supply, as well as capability of renewables integration and energy efficiency enhancement. This project is of high importance to Efacec, being the first project that integrates the full range of products and solutions from SmartPower family. We are very pleased with the trust and recognition of EDP in our automation professionals’ skills.