Date: 17/10/2011

Pilot project in Denmark for testing smart grid

In Danish island of Bornholm the consortium of companies are developing demonstration smartgrid through a project called EcoGrid EU, which will allow smart devices to use renewable electricity based on near real-time pricing and availability.

The users through their phones, computers and any portable electronics devices can decide when to buy the power based on the price, so that they can choose renewable instead of fossil fuel based electric energy.
EcoGrid EU is in support of the European Commission's 20/20/20 plan, which is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent, increase renewable energy usage by 20 percent and to reduce energy consumption through improved efficiencies by 20 percent by the year 2020.

Consumers with smart controllers installed at their homes can automate select appliances such as dishwashers, heat pumps and electric water heaters as energy prices adjust in five-minute increments. The residents will receive relevant information about their electricity production, consumption, and price points.

EcoGrid EU is a continuation of the EDISON (Electric Vehicles in a Distributed and Integrated Market using Sustainable Energy and Open Networks) project. In 2009, EDISON was launched to demonstrate a smart grid for the large-scale adoption of electric vehicles powered by wind energy. EcoGrid EU will take best practices and expand on EDISON by going beyond just electric vehicles into the home and office. Similar to EDISON, unused energy will be stored on electric vehicle batteries, but in addition, EcoGrid EU will also optimize appliance operation.