Defining the coupling point between smart grid and industrial users to implement a flexible energy and demand side management system

As part of the energy turnaround a number of new challenges for the European energy supply system are emerging. This article is particularly concerned with the introduction of a price-based modular demand side management concept tailored to the requirements of SME. In this solution the grid connector unit, which represents the coupling point between smart grid and individual production companies, is described in detail. The results have been acquired within the research project Polar funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The Polar project aims to enable SME to identify, quantify and optimize the energy consumption of individual production facilities with an universal and economically usable energy management and demand side management.