Integrating the different energy domains and thus creating “hybrid energy networks” is considered to be one of the key aspects of the future energy system. The interdisciplinary cooperation between international experts from ISGAN and DHC Annex TS3 is a unique opportunity for developing innovative solutions and successful business models towards a sustainable and flexible energy infrastructure.
- The IEA International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) supports the accelerated development and deployment of smarter, cleaner electricity grids around the world. IEA ISGAN Annex 6 “Power Transmission and Distribution Systems” focuses on the potential system-related challenges in the development of future smarter grids, including technologies, market aspects, and policies. The Annex’s main goal is to facilitate the application of advanced technologies that enable power grids to maintain and improve the security, reliability and quality of electric power supply.
- The IEA Technology Cooperation Programme on District Heating and Cooling (DHC) including Combined Heat and Power (CHP), is dedicated to helping to make DHC and CHP powerful tools for energy conservation and the reduction of environmental impacts of supplying heat. The aim of the IEA DHC Annex TS3 „hybrid energy networks“ is to promote the opportunities and to overcome the challenges for DHC networks in an integrated energy system context from a technical and strategical point of view, focussing on the coupling to electricity networks.
During the Stockholm Smart Grid week, hosted by the Swedish Energy Agency, both networks will join forces in an interactive cooperation event. Aim of the event is to create awareness on both sides on system gains from increased flexibility and resilience by coupling energy vectors. The workshop will identify concrete strengths & weaknesses, opportunities & threats of coupling DHC and electricity sectors based on the discussion of real case studies in different IEA countries and will initiate networking between key experts in the different fields. Some first results will be presented and discussed the next day during a panel session on ‘Flexibility and power system interaction and optimization leveraged by smart grid solutions’.
