The city of Malaga is a testing ground for the development of smart grid distribution technologies. Through Malaga SmartCity, a pilot project that has been headed by the Enel Group for some time now, a variety of innovative technologies in the electricity distribution network in the city are integrated. The main goal is to provide integrated energy solutions that allow for energy savings and reduce the environmental impact of CO2, following the EU 2020 targets.
Over the past four years, Malaga SmartCity has demonstrated the viability of a new energy management model for cities, when meeting on phase 1 of the project the initial targets of 20% energy saving, reduction of 6,000 tons of CO2 annual emissions and better integration of renewable sources in the distribution network.
Phase 2 of Malaga SmartCity poses the city as a testing ground in real time, using the technologies installed during the first phase of the project, in which the distribution network was configured as a smart grid. These technologies will allow to test the new equipment, operating models and power management systems. The research will focus on efficiency indicators analysis of advanced network operation services, remote meter management, cybersecurity and energy saving measures for both residential and large consumer clients as well as for buildings, in addition to the renewable integration, storage and electric mobility within the city grid.
First phase of the project
The first phase of Malaga SmartCity consisted of a 31 million euro project led by Endesa, in partnership with Enel ( other nine companies and several research centers also participated). The first stage took place in the district Playa (beach) with 300 industrial customers, 900 services clients and 12,000 homes taking part of it.
The objectives were achieved through the optimal integration of renewable energy sources by bringing electricity generation facilities closer to end users through installation of photovoltaic panels in public buildings, the use of solar energy microgeneration in a number of hotels and installation of micro wind power systems in a selected area. Storage systems were also used to allow later use of renewable energy for cooling of buildings, street lighting and grid backup. Furthermore, electric mobility research was also reinforced through implementation of charging stations and introduction of a small fleet of electric vehicles.
Residential customers involved in the project have in their homes the smart meters jointly developed by Enel and Endesa and operated remotely. Such remote management system is that being implemented by Endesa in Spain.
