smart grids

Thousands still without power, smart meters a notable absence

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Some 3,000 households, mostly in the wider Athens area’s northeastern section, are estimated to remain without electricity following a heavy snowstorm that peaked in the region Monday, leaving approximately 200,000 households powerless, according to a latest estimate this morning.

Distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO crews are continuing repair work on four main lines, pending issues mainly concerning supply to the capital’s northeastern areas Kato Souli, Grammatiko, Schinia and Pikermi, as well as a smaller number of isolated cases.

Late last night, between 5,000 and 10,000 households were still without electricity, while, early yesterday, approximately 200,000 households were powerless. In some cases, residents in areas just 12 kilometers from the center of Athens needed to persevere without power for at least 36 hours.

Consumers have, understandably, lodged numerous complaints. Besides faulty planning and the responsibilities of authorities, the absence of smart meters was sorely missing, once again, as was the case with a heavy snowstorm last winter.

Smart meters offer a real-time picture on damages, serving as a type of radar that pinpoints network damages that enables technical crews to immediately focus on trouble spots rather than search and work haphazardly.

This explains why DEDDIE/HEDNO, the distribution network operator, relies on consumer updates to locate areas without low-voltage supply, a backwards need in the digital era.

Following many delays, the installation of smart meters at households around the country is now estimated to begin late this year.

 

PPC picks Goldman Sachs as consultant for DEDDIE sale

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The board at power utility PPC has reached a decision to hire US financial services company Goldman Sachs as privatization consultant for the sale of a 49 percent stake in distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO, a subsidiary, sources have informed.

This appointment is seen as the first step in preparations leading to the partial privatization, while the choice of a heavyweight consultant reflects the importance of the sale for both the government and state-controlled PPC.

The prospective entry of an investor with a 49 stake raises hopes for a major network upgrade, including digitization. Modernized infrastructure will help intensify competition in the domestic electricity market. However, enormous sums are needed.  A project entailing the installation of smart meters, alone, is budgeted at one billion euros.

European operators as well as foreign funds investing in energy networks and infrastructure expressed strong interest in DEDDIE prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis.

The operator’s regulated earnings and steady yield serve as a safe and profitable haven for capital investment, while DEDDIE’s tremendous asset base expansion potential adds to the appeal for investors.

RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, and DEDDIE are currently working together to further modernize the operator’s regulatory framework.

Also, DEDDIE is currently finalizing a new business plan, covering 2020 to 2028. It envisions a gradual increase of annual investments to 350 million euros, more-than-double the current level of 150 million euros.

 

DEDDIE investments boosted to reach €350m, annually

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Distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO’s investment amounts concerning its business plan from 2020 to 2028 will be gradually boosted to reach annual levels of 300-350 million euros, up from 150-170 million euros, the operator has decided.

DEDDIE chief executive Anastassios Manos has presented the operator’s upgraded investment plan to board members.

It incorporates and fine tunes the distribution network strategy included in the business plan for power utility PPC, the operator’s parent company.

The upgraded DEDDIE business plan will be finalized once RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, has cemented its regulatory framework.

DEDDIE’s investments have continuously dwindled in recent years.  Contrary to other EU operators, the company’s Regulatory Asset Base (RAB) value has subsequently diminished during this period of contraction as new investments each year have been outweighed by the depreciation levels of previous projects.

The operator’s new investments will focus on upgrading and expanding the network to facilitate the RES sector’s growing needs and broadened network presence, as well as ambitious electric vehicle targets.

The overall upgrade will include network digitization projects for advanced grid management and smart meter installations.

Italian energy firms eyeing array of local investments, PM in Italy

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Italian investors are displaying widespread interest for energy investments in the Greek market, including possible stakes in distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO, power grid operator IPTO, gas utility DEPA’s two new entities DEPA Trade and DEPA Infrastructure, as well as joint ventures in wind energy stations, electric vehicle projects and smart grids.

Deputy energy minister Gerassimos Thomas, joining Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on an official visit to Rome today, is expected to be informed of this Italian investment interest. Thomas is scheduled to meet with Italian economic development minister Stefano Patuanelli.

The Greek Prime Minister, to meet with his Italian counterpart Giuseppe Conte, can also expect to hear of this Italian investment interest during talks which, besides the refugee crisis, will also address cross-border energy projects such as TAP and East Med.

Snam maintains the most emblematic of Italian investments in the Greek market at present with a 66 percent stake in gas grid operator DESFA, including control of the country’s natural gas transmission and storage infrastructure.

Italian firms are regarded as pioneers in a number of green-energy domains, including smart grids, electric vehicle recharging station installations along highways, even wave power projects.

Just days ago, a consortium comprising Eni, Fincantieri and Terna announced it would commercially develop its pilot project Inertial Sea Wave Energy Converter (ISWEC) for wave energy generation, initially at small Italian islands, followed by projects abroad.

The Greek Prime Minister and his energy deputy will also meet with Italian entrepreneurs, including Eni gas e luce chief executive Alberto Chiarini.

Italy’s Terna, one of Europe’s biggest transmission system operators, is believed to be interested in acquiring a stake of IPTO and its Ariadne subsidiary, project promoter of the submarine Crete-Athens grid interconnection.

Enel is considering moves into networks, renewable energy investments and the electric vehicles sector.

Italgas, Italy’s biggest gas distributor and the continent’s third biggest, appears interested in DEPA Infrastructure. Italgas is believed to have reached a preliminary agreement to acquire fellow Italian company Eni gas e luce’s 49 percent stake and management rights in EDA Thess, covering the Thessaloniki and Thessaly areas.

Eni, increasing its involvement in pioneering projects, including wave energy, is believed to be looking to increase its Greek market presence, possibly through acquisitions.