Measurement Infrastructure to Support the Reliable Operation of Smart Electrical Grids

Grid operators are facing a significant challenge in ensuring continuity and quality of electricity supply, while more and more renewable energy sources are connected to the grid. The resulting evolvement of so-called smart grids strongly relies on the availability of reliable measurement data for monitoring and control of these grids. This paper presents an overview of the results achieved in recent smart grid metrology research in Europe, aiming to realize the required metrology infrastructure for ensuring security and quality of supply in future smart electrical grids. A consortium of 22 metrology and research institutes has made significant steps in modeling of smart grids, enhancement of the revenue metering infrastructure, performance and evaluation of onsite power quality campaigns, and the development of a metrological framework for traceability of smart grid phasor measurements.