• Energy Research

Abstract This paper analyses demand side management (DSM) projects and stakeholders’ experience with the aim to develop, promote and adapt smart grid tehnologies in Latvia. The research aims at identifying possible system service posibilites, including demand response (DR) and determining the appropriate market design for such type of services to be implemented at the Baltic power system level, with the cooperation of distribution system operator (DSO) and transmission system operator (TSO). This paper is prepared as an extract from the global smart grid best practices, smart solutions and business models.

This paper presents the main objectives, approach, results and challenges achieved so far of the H2020 project PANTERA (PAN European Technology Energy Research Approach). A special highlight of the work carried out in the Balkan region considering the first PANTERA workshop in Sofia, Bulgaria is given. Based on analysis of the results achieved, the potential for improvements and future steps are elaborated.

Abstract The article presents an overview of the current situation of awareness of the Latvian citizens in the field of state-of-the-art energy-saving technologies. The authors present a wide range of data obtained as a result of a survey on the attitude of residents to new technologies and readiness to follow the development trends of a smart city. The article contains the analysis and recommendations for improving the efficiency of introducing new energy-saving and energy-efficient technologies into each household in order to create the most favourable conditions for the implementation of long-term plans for the development of smart cities in Latvia.

The paper presents the main goals and achievements of the Smart Grids ERA-NET project named “Efficient identification of opportunities for Distributed Generation based on Smart Grid Technology (SmartGen)” during the second stage of project implementation. A description of Smart Grid Technology (SGT) models developed within the framework of the project is given. The performed study cases where the SGT-models were implemented to analyze the impact of the electrical grid are discussed.

Abstract An approach is proposed to the modelling of wind farms in the electric power system long-term planning. It allows a specialist to perform calculations based on scanty information and offers a set of ready-to-use data for easy, fast, and precise modelling. The authors exemplify the calculations of wind speed probability density and power curves and give an idea for relevant corrections. They also show how to pass from a single wind turbine model to the unified model of multiple wind turbines which would meet the requirements of long-term planning tasks. The paper presents the data on wind farms that are operating in UK and Oceania

One of the challenges that the implementation of river or in-stream hydrokinetic technology faces is a lack of research providing tools and/or methodology for the assessment of economic potential including choice of the placement and quantity of hydrokinetic devices (HKDs). The present study proposes and applies the developed tool to estimate and compare economic benefits of placement of different kind of HKDs taking into account local restrictions. The paper describes in detail how the tool functionality and modelling results can serve as a basis for economical calculations and prognosis, under electricity market conditions. Experimental data along with in-flow measurements of the Daugava river’s different cross-sections have been used to demonstrate functionality of the proposed tool.

Abstract Due to historical and geographical reasons, the Baltic States are strongly interconnected to power transmission grids of Russia and Belarus. Current energy security policies and electricity interconnection targets in the EU trigger the need for studying and implementing alternative electricity supply options and power system configuration schemes for the Baltic countries. In order to provide a supporting analysis for the energy policy making, with a special focus on electricity, a framework with methodologies is proposed in this paper to assess the electricity independence of the Baltic States. To comprehensively assess the electricity independence, we provided three indices: “adequacy”, “security” and “economic factor”. The proposed framework and methodologies are applied for assessing the electricity independence of the Baltic States in the present (2014) and future scenarios: mid-term (2020), and long-term (2030) time frame. The analysis results show that the planned generation capacities are adequate to cover future electricity demand in the Baltic States in 2020 and 2030. Under the current electricity grid planning, power distribution in some local areas is limited in the future scenarios. Additional grid investments are necessary to keep high security level of power supply in 2020/30.