Digital Ants for Better Power Grids
New solar energy systems and wind turbines, more charging stations for electric cars and heat pumps for residential buildings: the energy transition is picking up speed. Distribution grid operators have to adjust their grids accordingly. They can now be assisted in handling this complex task by IAV’s Optera software. Its core piece is based on nature, with an optimized variant of the ant algorithm.
IAV Optera is based on an optimized ant algorithm. The software devises, computes and compares thousands of grid variants for medium-voltage grids. The parameters, e.g. topology, voltage ranges, costs etc., can be adjusted in advance with just a few clicks. IAV Optera looks for efficient connections, computes power flows, checks grid failure cases and finds suitable sectioning points in the grid. Furthermore, the program identifies underground cable routes and optimizes the positions for cable fanouts. And what’s more: the entire process is fully automated.
The digital ants learn to distinguish good connections from poor ones. Good partial solutions are reinforced and included in the next optimization cycle so that the results improve continuously. “Filtering out the best grid variant from thousands of possibilities is an optimization task similar to those that we solve at many points in automotive engineering”, says Schollmeyer. IAV has packed all this know-how into the new software for the energy sector.
«The IAV Optera software automates work steps and is highly flexible when it comes to parametrization so that it offers great potential for efficient, realistic target grid.»
— Grid planner at LEW Verteilnetz GmbH
IAV Optera visualizes the computed variants in graphic form. The grid planner can compare and change the variants manually to create the ideal grid structure. IAV’s partner LEW Verteilnetz GmbH (LVN) in Augsburg has already conducted successful tests during regular operations. Grid planner Stephan Fettke: “The IAV Optera software automates work steps and is highly flexible when it comes to parametrization so that it offers great potential for efficient, realistic target grid planning based on topographical basic maps. The software tests that we have done with it up to now show it to be a helpful tool in dealing with our current planning tasks. At the same time, the IAV Optera trials are also equipping us to cope with the increasing requirements resulting from the expansion of renewable energies and electromobility.”
One practical case: in a rural distribution grid with regional load peaks and many solar energy systems, several power lines are already at their limits, while at the same time the operator predicts an increase in load levels due to electric vehicles. This means that some parts of the grid will be overloaded in many operating states. The operator wants to take remedial action.
Besides the analysis of the current situation, the grid planners also used various optimization functions of IAV Optera for their target grid study. This results in optimum positioning of cable fanouts, for example, or enlarged cable cross sections. Route optimization converts grid drafts based on beelines into planned routes for laying the cables alongside roads. Geodata are used to avoid motorways, rivers, railway lines and nature conservation areas or due consideration is given to the financial aspects of crossing such hindrances.
«The software does everything automatically, but it never replaces the grid planner. On the contrary, the good results produced by IAV Optera are further improved by the grid planner’s many years of expertise.»
— Responsible for Smart Grids at IAV
The most obvious solution for the rural distribution grid seemed to consist in replacing 8.5 kilometers of overloaded power lines with new cables, while at the same time upgrading the substation’s output lines. IAV Optera suggested an alternative approach: two new lines in the west of the grid area and a short new power line in the southeast. Thanks to IAV Optera, the grid operator managed with just 6.9 kilometers of new power lines, saving 20 percent of the investment costs compared to the intuitive solution.
“The software does everything automatically, but it never replaces the grid planner. On the contrary, the good results produced by IAV Optera are further improved by the grid planner’s many years of expertise”, emphasizes Schollmeyer. The planner not only defines the input parameters and selects the optimization functions but also uses an editing function to integrate his or her detailed knowledge about the grid’s own specific characteristics in the study.
IAV Optera is offered as software-as-a-service. This eliminates the need for installation and integration in the IT landscape for the distribution grid operator. Planners use the software via a web frontend with an encrypted connection for communication with the server. The server is located in Germany; in combination with an IT security concept, this guarantees confidentiality and data security. IAV saves the effective data during the computation period only. The grid operator keeps full control of all the data while optimizing the distribution grid at the same time, thanks to IAV Optera.
