As part of IREN2, Siemens and its consortium partners are investigating new types of grid structures and ways of operating them based on technical and economic criteria. The goal is to find out how energy systems involving distributed electricity generation and additional components can be technically and economically optimized. In addition, microgrids – smart, self-contained regional electricity distribution systems – are being trialed as islanded grids, as are their use and operation as “topological power plants.”
IREN2 runs from 2014 to 2017. For the term of the project, the community will be disconnected from the main power supply system. A further objective is to demonstrate that the renewable energy producers bundled in the microgrid can temporarily replace conventional power plants by providing ancillary services from the distribution grid.
