In the Netherlands, a trial involving 25 households in the Hoogkerk district of the city of Groningen — PowerMatching City — has demonstrated that it is possible to create a smart grid with a corresponding market model using existing technologies. The system enables consumers to freely exchange electricity and keeps the comfort level up to par. This is the first time in Europe, and insofar as known worldwide, that the results of a live smart grid community are known at this technological scale.

Twenty-five homes were connected with each other and equipped with micro combined heat and power systems (high-efficiency boilers), hybrid heat pumps, smart meters, photovoltaic panels, electric transport and smart household appliances. These homes collectively constitute a smart energy system. The project was implemented by the TNO knowledge institute (after the takeover of the ECN business unit Intelligent Electricity Networks), the software company HUMIQ and the energy company Essent, under the lead of energy consulting firm KEMA. In view of the success, the project will have a successor.

Smart energy grids are required for the transition to an energy system, using renewable energy sources and the associated decentralized electricity generation facilities. The underlying coordinating mechanism in PowerMatching City is based on the PowerMatcher, a software tool that balances energy demand and energy supply. The objectives for three key involved parties were achieved: energy optimization for the end user, reduction in the grid load for the network operator and a reduction in imbalances for the utility.

The second phase of the project will focus on the integration of the market model into the regular energy market processes, such as settlement and billing; expansion of the use of electric transport and associated smart charging services; upscaling of the live lab environment; and congestion management at the district transformer.

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