New planning tool for Low Voltage photovoltaic connection - large scale experimentation

The current deployment of photovoltaic (PV) productions, which can affect voltage profiles or create congestions in low voltage (LV) networks, requires accurate planning studies. However, state of the art network simulation tools are not adapted to LV networks specificities: these tools require an extensive knowledge of LV networks characteristics, such as network topology, cables lengths and sections, which are largely unknown, inaccurate or outdated.To work around this problem, Odit-e has developed an innovative way to digitize LV networks, where the network model is entirely built from smart meters data. The resulting model can be used to precisely estimate the impact of any change in power, including new productions, and is the core of Odit-e innovative planning tool.To validate this tool in an operational environment, Odit-e, funded by ADEME through the Utilit-e project, has partnered with Gazélec, a French DSO, to perform a large-scale experimentation in the whole city of Péronne (7500 inhabitants).This project has been awarded by the Solar Impulse foundation as one of 1000 solutions that can protect the environment in a profitable way.