Reliable and efficient electricity supply to geographically distributed customers is the main task of the Distribution System Operators (DSOs). An increasing number of grid-related data sources is in principle accessible to DSOs, but this information is in most cases not yet utilized for grid operation. Leveraging measurements and ICT reachability of Smart Meters and grid connected systems (such as Intelligent Electronic Devices) for digital distribution grid operation is challenging as it requires resilient and secure data collection, and data-quality aware processing and distribution system control solutions. The Net2DG project will develop a proof-of-concept solution based on off-the-shelf computing hardware that uses existing communication technologies to leverage measurement capabilities of Smart Meters and DER inverters deployed in low-voltage (LV) grids. The solution will correlate this data with information from existing DSO subsystems in order to provide novel LV grid observability applications for voltage quality, grid operation efficiency and LV grid outage diagnosis. The resulting observability is subsequently used by specifically developed robust control and coordination approaches, which utilize existing actuation capabilities for voltage quality enhancement and loss minimization in the LV grid. The use of off-the shelf components, the system level resilience and security solution, and the offered customizability of the Net2DG approach specifically address the needs of small and medium-sized DSOs (less than 100.000 clients). Therefore, the Net2DG solution will make small and medium-sized DSOs early adopters of digital technologies for LV outage diagnosis, grid operation efficiency and voltage quality. The Net2DG solutions will be developed by a consortium including two small and medium-sized DSOs from two different European countries, academic partners, SME and startup technology companies, as well as Smart Meter and inverter vendors.

The stability and security of the traditional electrical power systems is largely based on the inherent properties of synchronous generators (SGs). Such properties are: the grid-forming capability, the inertia, the damping of transients, and the provision of large currents during faults. The growing penetration of converter-interfaced (thus inertia-less) Distributed Renewable Energy Sources (DRES) will eventually replace dispatchable SGs and increase power volatility, causing large frequency deviations and voltage regulation problems. The increase of SG spinning reserves, the grid reinforcement and the use of central electric energy storage systems are some solutions proposed to tackle this problem. However, due to their centralized approach and high cost, these actions can be undertaken only centrally by TSOs and DSOs. By adopting a unified bottom-up approach, EASY-RES will develop novel control algorithms for all converter-interfaced DRES, to enable them to operate similarly to conventional SGs, providing to the grid inertia, damping of transients, reactive power, fault ride through and fault-clearing capabilities, and adaptable response to primary and secondary frequency control. These new functionalities will be transparent to all grid voltage levels. The EASY-RES approach is based on the distribution network segmentation into small Individual Control Areas, where the DRES and properly sized storage systems will be optimally coordinated via suitably designed ICT infrastructure to provide Ancillary Services (AS) such as inertial response, reactive power support, power smoothing, and contribution to fault-clearing in a bottom-up approach: prosumers and independent RES producers to DSOs, and DSOs to TSOs. By evaluating the costs and benefits of the developed functionalities, viable business models will be developed for the aforementioned stakeholders. Finally, modifications to the existing grid codes will be suggested for the implementation of the developed AS.