The Company has been selected as the 2011 Winner of the SmartGrid Demo Project in the Renewables Integration Category by the influential US engineering publication PowerGrid International. The award is in recognition of ESB Networks' innovative work in the Renewables Energy Integration area, which it is developing in conjunction with the Energy Research Centre (ERC) based at UCD and the US based Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI).

The Smart Networks initiative is designed to support Ireland's target of generating 40% of electricity from renewables by 2020. This requires the installation of 6,600 MW of renewable generation on the Electricity Grid, with half of this wind capacity connected through ESB's Distribution Network. To facilitate this, the Smart Networks Project has designed and implemented new technologies and innovative approaches of managing Wind Connections to the Distribution System in a cost effective way.

It also paves the way for the introduction of Smart Meter technologies to enable customers to manage their electricity more efficiently and ultimately cut costs. Additionally, the Smart Networks Project is seeking to maximize the potential of the carbon free energy resource produced through renewables and is currently installing new electric vehicle charging infrastructure which will allow for the development of a nationwide electric transport.

ESB Networks, Managing Director, Jerry O'Sullivan said, "Ireland has already reached the significant milestone of 50% of national electricity demand being powered by wind generation during hours when demand is low".

"In order to reach the national target, the existing level of wind capacity needs to quadruple. The Smart Networks initiative is critical to achieving this. We are extremely pleased to have received this award from such a prestigious international engineering body as PowerGrid International. It is an acknowledgement of the capabilities the Company has acquired in the implementation of Smart Networks", he added

EPRI Senior Vice President, Arshad Mansoor, said, "EPRI is very pleased to be associated with ESB Networks and together we have made significant progress in developing the means to support the advancement of smart grid initiatives. Ireland can become a "test bed" and a world leader in this area."

This EPRI/ESB Networks Smart Grid project has four critical elements:

1. Renewable Integration. The project team is trialing technologies to ensure that new wind farms are connected to the Grid in the most cost effective way including the use of Voltage boosters to control voltage rise. In addition, the use of the Wind Turbines own electronics to provide the voltage control and the development of a simplified high voltage sub station design to ultimately cut costs.

2. Energy Efficiency. Implementing technology advances to operate and design the network to minimize losses on the system as well as to allow customers to use their electricity consumption in a more efficient way. ESB Networks working with the Commission of Energy Regulation and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is carrying out a nationwide survey involving 6,500 Smart Meters to assess how customers can better manage their electricity consumption

3. Electric Transport. The Smart Networks initiative supports the Government's electric vehicles target of 10% by 2020. ESB ecars, is currently installing 1,500 public charging points and 30 fast chargers in Ireland by the end of 2011. The Smart Grid initiative includes an assessment of the impacts on the electric distribution system associated with increasing the take up of electric vehicles. This includes a significant trial in South Dublin in which ESB Networks is assessing the impact on local distribution Networks.

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