GreenSwitch
The Project
For this cross-border project of common interest (PCI), we have partnered up with several companies from Slovenia and Croatia. The aim of the project is to optimise the use of the existing electricity infrastructure. Moreover, it will allow new technologies and advanced functionalities to be integrated into the transmission and distribution grids. This will enable a greater integration of renewable energy sources into the grid infrastructure and thus increase the security of supply.
Introduction of smart equipment
Security of supply
Greater integration of renewable energy sources
2023 to 2028
146 Mio. €
EU Funding: 73 Mio. €
Thereof: 46 Mio. € KNG
EU Funding: 23 Mio. €
Croatia (HOPS, HEP)
Slovenia (ELES, Elektro Celje, Elektro Gorenjska, Elektro Ljubljana)
Timeline
Application 5th PCI list
CEF co-funding granted
Permit granting
Construction & Commissioning
Expected Impacts
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Increased controllability of the power grid through automation |
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Expansion of capacity for the existing network |
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Expansion of cross-border network capacity |
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Increased controllability of transformer stations through automation |
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Lower peak demand with the use of flexibility sources |
Our GreenSwitch Projects in Carinthia
The sub-projects
- Automation of two new primary substations (110/20kV)
- Automation of around 60 secondary substations (20/0,4kV)
- Expansion of the medium voltage grid (150km of underground cables)
- Laying of fiber optic cables (70km)
- Upgrade of Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) functionalities
- Upgrade of existing and construction of new cross-border emergency power connections (20kV from Austria to Slovenia)
Our primary substation Winklern
The new primary substation Winklern is necessary in order to supply our customers, private households as well as companies, in the Mölltal with sufficient and reliable electricity over the coming decades. This includes the municipalities of Stall, Rangersdorf, Winklern and Mörtschacher.
It will be constructed near the municipality of Lamnitz, directly under the existing 110kV overhead line that runs from the primary substation Außerfragant via the mountain range Kreuzeck Group to the municipality of Oberdrauburg.
The primary substation Winklern will consist of the following plant components: a 110-kV switchgear five 110-kV overhead line connections, a 110/20-kV secondary substation, a 20-kV arc suppression coil and seven 20-kV cable connections.
The new substation will make the grid infrastructure in the upper Möll Valley fit for the future.
In a nutshell:
• Construction of a new primary substation
• Duration of 2 years
Automation of secondary substations
This sub-project involves not only automating existing transformer stations but also the construction of new "smart" stations. The automated transformer stations will be connected to our grid control system with remote-controlled and remote signalling switching devices, as well as short-circuit indicators with remote metering function. Upgrading the transformer stations is one of the key factors in the successful operation of the grid control system and therefore enables increased security of supply.
In a nutshell:
New construction and automation of 60 transformer stations
Duration 2023 to 2028
News
Consortium Meeting
Regular consortium meetings are held at the various locations as part of the project. On 13 and 14 November, colleagues from the Slovenian and Croatian grid operators visited Kärnten Netz. After a brief introduction by the management, the participants were able to gain an insight into our operational activities during a visit to the grid control centre. During the two days, the progress of the individual sub-projects of all project partners was presented and further steps were defined together.
4th PCI Energy Days
The team presented the project at the PCI Energy Days in Brussels and welcomed the Director for Green Transition and Energy System Integration, Catharina Sikow-Magny, to the project stand.
Cross-border exchange of experience between distribution system operators
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An exchange of experience recently took place in Ljubljana with the neighbouring distribution system operators Kaernten Netz (KNG) and Elektro Ljubljana. In future, the partnerships established in the CEF-funding project "GreenSwitch" will be strengthened not only for project implementation, but also for exchanging experiences. Renewable energies, asset management, energy communities and the digital twin were some of the topics on the agenda of the recent cross-border. Various experiences and examples of best practice were exchanged between the employees in intensive discussions in Ljubljana. Both partners can only confirm the statement: "The language barrier shouldn't stop us from learning from each other”.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the CINEa can be held responsible for them.
