ZSW supports cities and municipalities in planning and implementing smart grids with the knowledge gained from various European pilot projects. This involves the interconnection of electricity, heat, transport and communication networks, i.e. the interconnection of sectors and their appropriate management. The project “ReFlex” (Replicability for Flexible Smart Grids), which is funded within the framework of the European programme initiative ERA-Net Smart Grids Plus with support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, aims to develop a replicability concept and guidelines for the use of technologically feasible, market-based and user-friendly solutions for smart grids with a high degree of flexibility. The focus is on grids with an expected high share of renewable energy sources, which are to be used effectively, efficiently and locally through a combination of measures in the areas of voltage regulation, demand management and storage.
Smart grid pilot projects are analysed and compared as part of the ReFlex project. Finally, a guideline for cities and municipalities will be developed based on three large demo regions (Salzburg, Gotland and Hyllie) and five smaller demo regions with less than 15.000 inhabitants (Güssing, Hartberg, Biel-Benken, Rolle and Wüstenrot) in Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Sweden.