Photovoltaic energy: promising research results for PV-Forecast & launch of SeCURE project

On 13 September 2016, the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) and the Fondation Enovos presented at the Fondation de Luxembourg, the promising results of a research project focusing on photovoltaic energy. LIST also presented a new research project, SEcURE, which will study the concept of energy-smart cities.

PV-Forecast – development of a forecasting model

The "PV-Forecast" research project led by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) has been allowed to develop a predictive model of regional energy production of photovoltaic systems for the next 72 hours. In the mid-term, accurate forecasts will be important for energy providers and network operators.

Increasing the share of renewable energies in these networks requires suppliers to take greater account and complete, if applicable, their electricity needs on the Intraday market. For network managers, forecasts are critical for system stability. Thanks to the forecasts, they know in advance what type of energy is fed into the grid and where. But the model also has another advantage: its algorithm allows a self-learning system that can improve itself by its performance and reduce its margin of error.

SEcURE – new project “Smart energy cities” oriented

After presenting the results of PV-Forecast project, the press conference was also the opportunity to present the new project funded by the Fondation Enovos. Named SEcURE, this project is also led by LIST and is based on the Smart energy cities concept. With 75% of the European populations living in cities, urban areas play a key role in the energy transition to renewable energy sources.

The SeCURE project will focus on the implementation of a platform (which integrates database, simulations, analysis and visualisation tools) to help municipalities of Luxembourg and the Greater Region to accelerate the penetration of the production of photovoltaic energy, increase energy efficiency measures for buildings and promoting the use of biomass of agricultural origin for the production of renewable heat.

The press conference was held in the presence of Jean Lucius, CEO of Enovos International S.A., Marc Solvi, President of the Enovos Foundation, Prof. Gabriel Crean, CEO of LIST, Prof. Dr. Lucien Hoffmann, Head of Department "Environmental Research and Innovation" (ERIN) of LIST, and Tonika Hirdman, Director General of the Fondation de Luxembourg. 

photo : Luc Deflorennne