Liechtensteinische Kraftwerke and Landis+Gyr begin Pilot Project on Advanced Grid Analytics

Zug/Amsterdam – October 5, 2017 – In an eight-month pilot project, Liechtensteinische Kraftwerke (LKW) and Landis+Gyr are testing the potential of Advanced Grid Analytics for typical utility company processes in medium- and low-voltage networks. The aim of the pilot project is to demonstrate the effectiveness of smart meter data for grid analysis and optimization. The project was launched at the beginning of September this year, and once it is successfully completed, country-wide rollout is planned with a total of 27,000 metering points.

Advanced Grid Analytics software (AGA) enables utility companies to optimize asset management and grid operation, and introduce new load management and billing concepts. On an integrated AGA platform, information from smart metering systems is merged with the geo-information system. This integrated database can then be utilized in a large number of different applications. “Advanced Grid Analytics links data from connected intelligent devices with the grid infrastructure, creating true added value for the utility, especially with the increasing decentralization of generation across the distribution network,” says Ralph Griewing, Senior Vice President Business Unit Solutions at Landis+Gyr. “Companies such as Liechtensteinische Kraftwerke can optimize their business processes by applying AGA and use the data to help make sound strategic investment decisions.”

In Liechtenstein the focus of the project – the first of its kind that Landis+Gyr has carried out in Europe – will initially be on grid and asset loading, voltage visualization, integrating distributed energy resources and optimizing maintenance investments in the network. The numerous AGA software applications allow the utility to visualize and analyze grid loading, including load flow on distribution substations, power lines, fuses and other grid components based on real load profiles of consumers or prosumers. This enables a well targeted investment planning in the distribution system.

AGA’s benefits are multifaceted, including voltage visualization which enables standard monitoring of voltage quality across the distribution grid as well as simulating different load scenarios, including integration of distributed generation. Another AGA component is Landis+Gyr’s Network Model Editor, which allows to simulate new grid projects and the integration of new assets to facilitate grid planning.

“The AGA project is the next logical step in the optimal use of Smart Metering infrastructure and a good proof of our deployed PLC communication network,” says Bruno Schütz, Business Unit Manager Data Acquisition/Distribution/Metrology at Liechtensteinische Kraftwerke. “By linking load flow, infrastructure data and geo-information, we can substantially simplify our grid planning and future expansion. While we are expanding our infrastructure together with Landis+Gyr, we can simultaneously monitor load flow between different grid levels. This is not only a huge advantage for the grid operation, but with this application we are also able to detect where action is required in different areas of our distribution network.”