city : distribution E.ON Smartgrid housing construction

Starovice : Smartg

SMART HOUSE PHENOMENON IS COMPLETED BY SMART NETWORKS - SMART GRIDS. BOTH IS CONNECTED, FOR EXAMPLE, IN STAROVICE IN BŘECLAV, WHERE A UNIQUE SMART VILLAGE PROJECT IS BUILT. WHAT CAN THE ELECTRICAL NETWORKS OF THE FUTURE DO AND WHAT IS THEIR MEANING?

A unique laboratory is being established in Starovice near Hustopeče. 41 family houses equipped with photovoltaics and heat pumps also count on wallboxes for recharging electric cars. The investor of new family houses in a low-energy standard is the company Přemysl Veselý invest and in terms of energy the project is provided by the company E.ON, which will equip the location with a smart energy network, the so-called Smart Grid. At present, the infrastructure in Starovice has been completed and the construction of family houses is beginning. The fi rst people could move into the smart homes there at the end of 2021. „We deploy not only a smart transformer station, but also an electrical network with two-way data communication. Thanks to it, for example, we are better capable to control and manage the distribution system,” explains Lukáš Svoboda, who is in charge of Smart City projects at E.ON.

: What data do you get with Smart-Grid technology?

In particular, the data needed for monitoring and control of the distribution system. Thanks to the advent of Smart Grids, we are moving smart elements to lower voltage levels, and thus closer to customers. At distribution transformer stations we have an accurate overview of all electrical quantities and the state of individual elements. The customer‘s smart electricity meter measures voltages, currents, powers, even in individual phases directly at the point of consumption. The measured data from transformer stations and smart meters then meet in central systems, where we work with them to control the distribution system. According to the measured data, we also plan to modernize and develop electrical networks.

: Can municipalities also use this data?

Of course, we do not keep the measured data to ourselves. We will provide them to the owners of collection points in a clear form through a web portal. We are preparing special websi-

grid housing construction

tes for municipalities with information on consumption points, including the course of their consumption. The municipality, or municipal power engineers, can then work with the data, buy electricity more effi ciently, or look for areas where there is room to reduce its consumption.

: How many customers already use smart grids?

Exact numbers are, of course, diffi cult to determine. If we collect data at a transformer station, we have it from all customers who take electricity from it. If we are to specify the numbers for consumption points, we collect data from electricity meters for measuring type A or B from 30,000 customers. We are gradually deploying classic smart electricity meters for measuring type C and we want to install almost thirty thousand new pieces by the end of 2023. We also plan to replace another 300,000 meters with smart ones. This is what the legislation tells us to do, and this extensive exchange will be completed around the end of 2027.

: What is the future of smart grids?

The future of Smart Grids is, of course, huge. We get a lot of information, and if we learn to work well with them and use them as effi cient tools, the energy industry will face a huge change. Thanks to smart technologies, we will easily and quickly locate faults. Ideally, the customer will not even notice the fault, because thanks to Smart Grids, the distribution system switches itself and manages the aff ected section. Thanks to the newly installed smart meters, the electricity trade will also change.

: How is this technology implemented in existing buildings?

Installing Smart Grid components into existing distribution system objects is not complicated, but it always depends on the specifi c case. Sometimes everything fi ts into an existing building and high-voltage and low-voltage switchboards are replaced with smart ones in the transformer station. Sometimes space is scarce, and the entire transformer station has to be replaced. With the installation of a smart electricity meter, it is very simple, it is just exchanged piece by piece. The new smart meter is as big as the old one, in possibly two-tariff consumption points, only the cables from the receiver are connected to the smart meter.

: How will people use smart grids for smart homes?

Smart home is a concept of living with the use of information technology, especially for setting and regulating heating, ventilation, lighting, motorized sun blinds or house security. The control of the individual elements is usually combined into one control centre, often with a touch screen. It is then also

possible to set up and monitor all systems in the house remotely via the Internet on a computer, tablet, or mobile phone. A smart household thus increases the comfort of its owners and saves money. The smart grid also uses digital technology to better connect electricity producers, distributors, and customers. When supply exceeds demand, you can easily fi nd out, for example, that a low - cheapest - tariff is used. You can then use home appliances more effi ciently by connecting the application to information from smart grids. Today, the share of smart homes in the domestic market is in the order of percentages. Their number is gradually growing, but it is not as fast as abroad. In my opinion, this is mainly due to the limited fi nancial possibilities of customers and a certain conservatism - customers prefer traditional family houses.

: What makes this project so unique? What technologies will houses use?

This project is unique in several respects. What I am especially proud of and hope that will not change is the fact that although there will be several types out of a total of 41 family houses, we will all guarantee a uniform architecture of appearance and environmental architecture, as environmentally friendly as possible, says the investor Přemysl Veselý. Another advantage of these modern houses will be their almost energy self-suffi ciency (around 70%), which in my opinion, with the constant rise in energy prices, will certainly play its part in the future, even some energy analysts predict a signifi cant rise. I emphasize that all houses are designed in a low energy standard. I believe in good luck to those who are prepared, so we have come up with a project where people will be able to live happily and relax after hard work in the beautiful landscape of South Moravia fi lled with sunshine and incredibly good wine from local winemakers. Thanks to carefully selected modern technologies, which we have designed here to make life more pleasant and easier for a person in this complex and demanding world, the buyer will get a timeless house ready for the future. Of course, there will be photovoltaic panels on the roof of each house, which will produce electricity and in combination with a heat pump will provide future users with one of the cheapest ways to heat households. I‘m happy to say that the Sun won‘t send an invoice to anyone, will it? I note that everything will be controlled by a smart control unit, to which other conveniences such as pool technology, electric opening and closing windows, including shading elements, intelligent sockets, weather stations, alarms, etc. It will really depend on each client what he/she requires and what will be his priority, we will not set limits. The bioclimatic aluminium pergola will decorate

the terrace of each house, and for terraced houses there will also be a carport to shield the sun, rain and snow if necessary. With the impending drought, we perceive it as a necessary need to install a rainwater storage tank with a volume of 5-7 m3 for each house, depending on the size of the house. Of course, we also thought of electromobility, so each house will have preparation for the charging infrastructure, a smart network will also be built here, including the most modern transformer station. Carefully considered high-quality natural materials chosen for the construction of family houses that meet demanding thermal and acoustic properties also played a primary role in our country. The construction will be carried out by the parent company Přemysl Veselý stavební a inženýrská činnost s.r.o., which has been successfully operating on the Czech market for more than 30 years and is a guarantee of high quality. These are probably the main advantages of this unique project, adds Přemysl Veselý.

Lukáš Svoboda

has been working for the energy company E.ON for 25 years. He has extensive experience in both distribution and sales. He has been working as a regional manager since 2006, and in 2015 he became the leader of the entire team of regional managers. This team primarily communicates with municipalities and cities (even in the event of emergencies) and coordinates, among other things, Smart City projects.

Přemysl Veselý, ml., has been working in the fi eld of construction for over 20 years, he is an executive of the company PŘEMYSL VESELÝ invest. s.r.o.