Smart Grid Evolution: Slovenia's Elektro Ljubljana Uses EU Projects for Better Grid Decisions

Slovenia's electricity grid is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources like solar power, the proliferation of electric vehicles, and the widespread use of heat pumps and energy storage systems. Uršula Krisper from Elektro Ljubljana explains that the company strategically engages in European development projects, viewing them primarily as testing grounds for new technologies and operational strategies.

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We enter projects thoughtfully. First, we look at the tender conditions, the required partners, and the research areas, and then we define our role from the perspective of a distribution network operator.

Elektro Ljubljana's approach to these projects is deliberate. They carefully evaluate project proposals, required partners, and research areas to align with their role as a distribution network operator. The key objective is not merely formal participation but the practical testing of new technologies developed by consortium partners, such as research institutions and tech companies. This allows Elektro Ljubljana to validate these innovations using their own data and within a real-world distribution environment, fostering mutual learning and enabling comparisons with their existing tools.

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For us, it is crucial that we do not just participate formally in the projects, but that we can actually test something.

These development projects are intrinsically linked to the daily operations of the grid. Their purpose is to yield tangible benefits. When testing a new tool, Elektro Ljubljana assesses how its results correlate with their current systems, like ADMS or SCADA solutions. These comparisons provide valuable insights for system upgrades, ensuring that project outcomes translate into practical improvements beyond the funding period. A notable example is the Eclipse project, which led to the development of an enhanced "More About My Consumption" feature within the Moj Elektro portal. This tool offers users a clearer understanding of their energy usage patterns and the potential impact of changes, such as shifting peak demand, on their electricity costs.

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The purpose is precisely that they have a useful value. If we test a certain tool in the project, we are interested in how its results align with our existing systems, for example, with ADMS or SCADA solutions.