The project involves 11 companies under the leadership of ENDESA and will benefit 300 industrial customers, 900 service providers and 11,000 households.
SmartCity has become a global benchmark in developing cutting-edge technology on a par with other programmes already in operation in Stockholm, Dubai, Malta, Ohio and Colorado.
Endesa’s Smartcity project has won two prizes at the European Smart Metering Awards, the accolades bestowed at the European Smart Metering UK & Europe Summit, taking place these days in London, to recognise the achievements of electricity sector companies involved in the rollout of remote management in Europe.
The project came out on top in two specific award categories: Enterprise Systems & System Integration and Utility of the Year 2011. The jury chose Endesa and its Smartcity project for surpassing expectations and bringing to market an innovative idea while at the same time providing a holistic response to the environmental challenges we currently face.
The jury also underscored the trailblazing character of the initiative which, in the opinion of the organisers, will set new standards in the sector. The technology project, which is under development in Malaga, will cut energy consumption by 20% and prevent the emission of 6,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.
The aim is to show that it is possible to concentrate a wide range of leading-edge sustainable technologies in a single urban cluster, paving the way for a new energy management model in major cities. This new model will enhance energy efficiency, reduce CO2 emissions and promote the role of renewables.
SmartCity will involve optimal grid integration of renewable-energy sources by bringing power generation facilities closer to end-users through the installation of photovoltaic panels on public buildings, the use of micro power generation in a number of hotels and the installation of micro wind power systems in the area. In addition, batteries will be used to store the energy generated, so that some of the energy can be used for building climate control, public lighting and electric vehicles.
Furthermore, charging stations will be installed and a small fleet of electric vehicles will be dispatched to encourage the use of electric cars. Above all, however, the aim is to make end-users active participants in this effort. All the customers involved in the project will be provided with new smart meters which have been developed for remote management to encourage more sustainable electricity consumption.
The installation of advanced telecommunications and remote control systems will permit real-time and automated adjustments to the distribution network for a new form of energy management and better service. SmartCity is one of six flagship projects of its kind in the world, together with those in Stockholm (Sweden), Malta, Masdar (Dubai), Boulder and Columbus (both in the USA), and falls under the framework of the European Union’s 20-20-20 Plan.
ENDESA is heading a team of pioneering sector players, which are working together to develop this ambitious plan. The companies involved are: Enel, Acciona, IBM, Sadiel, Ormazábal, Neo Metrics, Isotrol, Telvent, Ingeteam and Greenpower. Other contributors include various universities as well as national and regional research centres.
Endesa has also received a prize for its remote management project
Endesa received one of these prestigious prizes last year (on that occasion in the Business Performance category) for its pioneering smart meter remote management system, which is being rolled out in Spain and will hit the 13- million-meter mark at the end of 2015. Endesa’s remote management project has been developed jointly with Enel, its core shareholder and Europe’s second largest electric utility.
The system incorporates cutting-edge technology with a modular design, intended to provide a platform for future intelligent network applications. Both ENDESA and ENEL intend to standardise this communications solution throughout Europe. This protocol is next generation technology based on the platform currently used in Italy by over 32 million customers.
Likewise, this new technology optimises the processes needed for a full-scale rollout to all Spanish consumers. ENDESA is the first Spanish company to originate a remote management system in line with Spanish and EU directives on this matter.
