E-LOBSTER project is proposing an innovative R+G (Railway to Grid) Management system which, combined with advanced power electronics, will be able to reduce electricity losses in both the power distribution network and the light railway network.
The system will be able to make the best use of the available energy on both the grids by increasing their mutual synergies and maximizing the consumption of local Renewable Energy Sources (RES) production through electric energy storages.
There is a global need to increase the penetration of low-carbon technologies (LCTs) and, at the same time, there is a strong need to provide people, especially in urban centers, with sustainable form of transport, i.e. electric cars and trains, which are also connected to the same power distribution networks.
Both distributed generation with renewable power sources and electric transport have been developed so far as independent energy networks, both relying on the resilience and robustness of existing power supplies. However, their progressive penetration introduced an increasing degree of uncertainty on the direction of power flows and the power demand, which may have a very strong impact on the operation of distribution grids.
This is why E-LOBSTER proposes for the first time a substantial integration with renewable sources, electrified road and rail transport with advanced power electronics technologies and energy storage that will be managed by a unique Control Management system that will operate considering the mutual benefit of both transport and distribution network prioritizing distribution losses reduction.
Other specific challenges lie in the development and couplings of the various components (i.e. power electronics, electrical storage, EVs) which must be controlled with an efficiency-oriented approach for the minimization of distribution losses, taking into account:
Smart Grids are upgraded electricity networks in which two-way digital communication streams between suppliers and consumers, intelligent metering, smart appliances, electric vehicles, and monitoring systems have been added. Therefore, they offer an intelligent way to design, build, operate and manage power system transmission and distribution for a defined benefit or purpose.
E-LOBSTER will last 48 months and has been divided into 7 Work Packages, each one targeting a fundamental step for the achievement of the project objectives and it will apply a design methodology based on two main streams (one dedicated to DN and the other one dedicated to light railway networks) that will progress in parallel with periodic interconnections and exchanges. In all these phases, the specific background from the consortium partners will be capitalized to achieve project objectives.
