Smart Grid Pilot Projects and Implementation in the Field

This chapter describes lessons learned from smart grid demonstration projects, which can provide common understanding for large-scale implementation of smart grids across borders. Although this paper is focusing on smart grid demonstration projects in The Netherlands, the analysis is executed from an international perspective. It turns out that each region requires tailor-made solutions depending on local conditions, such as local culture, electricity markets and regulations. Subsequently, this chapter focuses on smart grid projects in the Netherlands. The feasibility project PowerMatching City has demonstrated that it was possible to create smart grids with the associated market models using existing technologies. Small scale demonstration projects, such as PowerMatching City II and ‘Smart Grid: Rendement voor Iedereen’ (Smart Grid: Benefits for All) showed that smart grid services can balance the energy demand and supply in grids with renewable energy sources. Smart grids will only be successful when energy consumers embrace new technologies. Commercially attractive business models, timely standardization and secure IT solutions are required to realize a smart grid at affordable costs. Hence, a fair distribution of the benefits among all the stakeholders (consumers, energy providers and network operators) is essential. The next step is the large-scale demonstration of smart grids and standardization in order to lower the costs for implementation. Smart grid concepts should become available as a more common means of energy supply or even as value adding energy services. Hence, energy targets should be expressed in consumer benefits related with activities such as heating, cooking, washing and watching TV; and attractive incentives should seduce consumers to participate in services offering flexibility. New initiatives such as the Green Deal Smart Energy Cities and the Universal Smart Energy Framework have the objective to stimulate the application of repeatable solutions to increase the implementation of smart grids.