Siemens has secured a six-year contract with Austrian distribution system operator Kärnten Netz GmbH (KNG) to deploy grid management software across its electricity network in Carinthia.
The agreement covers Siemens’ Gridscale X platform, including three applications: LV Insights, LV Management and Flexibility Management. The software is intended to give KNG greater visibility of its low-voltage network, support active grid operation and help identify and manage congestion.
LV Insights will provide a digital model of the distribution network, while LV Management is designed to support operational activities including outage management. Flexibility Management will be used to forecast grid constraints and identify flexibility resources that could help alleviate congestion.
The deployment comes as Carinthia prepares for further growth in distributed generation and electricity demand from technologies including electric vehicles and heat pumps. Siemens said photovoltaic installed capacity in the Austrian province is expected to nearly double by 2030.
The expansion of distributed generation is creating additional challenges for distribution operators, particularly around network congestion and voltage stability. Changes to Austria’s Electricity Industry Act are also expected to increase the role of market-based flexibility mechanisms in managing constraints.
KNG managing director Eva Tatschl-Unterberger said the platform would support development of a comprehensive digital grid model and help the operator manage outages and congestion. She also cited improved use of existing network assets and lower costs as expected benefits.
Siemens Grid Software managing director Sabine Erlinghagen said the system would provide visibility down to low-voltage level and help KNG make greater use of available flexibility.
