Across North-West Europe, business parks are joining forces to tackle one of today’s biggest challenges: how to digitalize our energy systems so that their precious energy is used more wisely, sustainably, and collaboratively. For those who see the energy transition mainly as a technical challenge, the NWE-Interreg project GEMS (Green Energy Management Systems) proves otherwise. Behind smart energy systems and sustainable business parks are, above all, people working together. In this series, we highlight the partners of GEMS. This time: knowledge partner Jan Desmet of the EnSy/Lemcko research group at Ghent University.
Jan Desmet and his research group investigate how low-carbon technologies – such as solar panels, wind energy, battery storage, electric vehicles and heat pumps – interact with low-voltage (LV) electricity grids. These LV-grids are the final segment of the power distribution system, delivering electricity directly to end-users. The main area of focus of the EnSy/Lemcko group lies in the fields of data analysis, development of dynamic operating envelopes and the optimisation of control strategies in relation to generation and consumption profiles. “Naturally, the link to the control of EMS and grid management systems is crucial in this regard”, Desmet states.
Within GEMS, the university provides scientific expertise that supports the development of the pilot projects. The research team analyses how energy assets should be sized and controlled, while also considering the current and future requirements. “This involves not only technical feasibility, but also the preconditions imposed by the distribution system operators”, Desmet explains.
He adds that the project closely matches the ambitions of his research group. “The concept behind GEMS really appeals to me and my research group, particularly from the green perspective. Depending on the ‘end-user’s’ intended objectives, such as reducing peak power or responding to dynamic tariff structures, the optimal sizing of the installation is heavily dependent on the existing (and future) assets. Such analyses are always fascinating challenges.”
Managing an increasingly complex energy system
Belgium offers a good example of the opportunities and challenges facing many European countries. Renewable electricity production continues to grow rapidly, particularly through solar power, while nuclear energy still provides a large share of electricity generation. At the same time, fossil-fuelled power plants remain necessary, and Belgium regularly imports electricity from neighbouring countries due to lower costs.
The biggest challenge is not simply producing renewable electricity, but managing it efficiently. Solar and wind energy are intermittent by nature, meaning production does not always coincide with demand. "This makes grid management increasingly challenging in terms of available grid capacity, grid balancing and ensuring security of supply. Especially seasonal winter shortages remain a real vulnerability."
Rather than focusing solely on expanding the electricity grid, GEMS investigates how smarter energy management can unlock flexibility within the existing infrastructure.
Why European cooperation matters
Although every country has its own energy market, regulations and grid infrastructure, many of the underlying challenges are remarkably similar. Grid congestion, rising electricity demand, increasing shares of renewable energy and dynamic electricity prices affect business parks across Europe.
By bringing together partners from five countries, GEMS allows these experiences to be shared. Researchers, businesses, governments and technology providers can learn from each other's approaches instead of solving the same problems independently.
According to Desmet, even though the pilots are still in the research phase, collaboration has already proven valuable, particularly when it comes to one essential ingredient for smart energy management: data. "Most of the experiences shared relate to obtaining data from companies or network operators. Regular assessments are carried out to determine how the data is handled and interpreted. Different approaches to data handling and the challenges of dealing with 'big data' are discussed amongst the group."
These exchanges help partners better understand not only technical solutions, but also organisational and regulatory barriers that need to be overcome before smart energy systems can be deployed at scale.
Preparing for the future
Ultimately, GEMS aims to help business parks use existing grid capacity more efficiently while making better use of locally generated renewable energy. Smart Energy Management Systems can optimise self-consumption, reduce peak loads and respond to dynamic electricity prices.
For Desmet, the potential is clear. "By focusing on flexible task management on the one hand and making optimal use of renewable energy on the other, it is possible to improve the utilisation of existing capacity. Furthermore, the energy market has become a highly dynamic environment characterised by significant price fluctuations. The combination of these two factors offers considerable potential for EMS systems to optimise both energy consumption and energy costs."
Although the pilot projects are still under development, the consortium is already generating valuable insights that will help other business parks, policymakers and researchers prepare for a smarter and more flexible energy system.
When asked to describe GEMS in a few words, Desmet keeps it simple: challenging and innovative. Two words that capture both the complexity of today's energy transition and the opportunities that smart collaboration can create.