Denmark Embraces the Smart Grid

Thursday, 09 June 2011 07:29

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Denmark has quietly become one of the world’s smart grid leaders. With nearly twice the variable energy on the grid than any other country, Denmark has developed the prototype for a flexible, intelligent electricity system, thanks to the work of Danish technology companies, investors, system integrators, utilities, and researchers. Denmark currently integrates 34 percent renewables into the grid.

Lorie Wigle, General Manager of Intel’s Eco-Technology Program, says, “To mobilize a vision of more integration and synergy between intelligent renewable energy sources, smart grids, smart buildings, and empowered energy consumers, Intel and its partners are applying the application of technology and open standards to accelerate the global transition to smart energy. A good example of this direction is the Danish best practices and innovation being demonstrated with great promise by bringing 34 percent of renewable energy to their grid.”

The high penetration of wind power in the electric grid makes Denmark an ideal testing ground for optimizing power consumption of intermittent power sources. This has resulted in several projects and partnerships, such as Danish utility DONG Energy’s equity participation in California based Project Better Place’s franchise in Denmark, the first in Europe. In late 2011, the partners will launch a commercial, nationwide network of EV charging and battery swap stations.

DONG Energy consultant Torben V. Holm, explains, “We can now combine the existing electric infrastructure with batteries in electric vehicles to harvest and store wind-generated power when it is in excess supply and have it available for value creating transportation purposes when needed.”

EcoGrid EU, also launching in 2001, is the largest European smart grid demonstration project, which is being implemented on the Danish island of Bornholm, where 10 percent of households will participate. By changing load pattern, the households will participate in keeping the power system stable, even though more than 50 percent of power is produced from decentralized and renewable sources.

Maja Bendtsen, project leader at the local utility Ostkraft, says, “It will be a challenge to involve 10 percent of the households in the EcoGrid EU demonstration, as we cannot settle for only households with a special interest in environment and energy. And after recruitment, we need to change their consumption behavior for a product they are used to use completely at their convenience.”

Denmark’s goal is to incorporate 50 percent of electricity from wind by 2025, and to be completely fossil fuel free by 2050.