Building Resilient Energy Hubs: Digital and Automation Solutions in Distribution Grids

premium account

Recording of Wednesday, May 07, 2025 | The smarter E Europe | Exhibition Program | Language: English | Duration: 17:15 .

Exploring Energy Hubs and Grid Stability: Digital Tools for a Sustainable Future Explained by Pascal Häfeli

Pascal Häfeli, a senior technical consultant at Hitachi Energy Germany AG, elaborates on the integration of renewable energy into grids and the planning of energy hubs. With increasing distributed energy resources in distribution grids—complicated by factors like transport electrification and behind-the-meter photovoltaic systems—the need for effective management is critical due to challenges such as low controllability and congestion. Energy hubs provide solutions by integrating various assets into shared networks that enable smart management while reducing costs through direct power supply control. However, managing these structures involves complexity across multiple strategies with numerous stakeholders. To address this, Hitachi employs a three-phase approach: design (using consulting services), building (incorporating methodologies like BIM), and operational phases (utilizing digital tools). This structured method aims to optimize efficiency throughout project lifecycles while minimizing risks associated with grid integration challenges. The discussion highlights assessing grid stability via early-phase system studies using simplified load flow calculations to prevent overloading and maintain voltage limits under different scenarios. Dynamic evaluations are crucial when integrating significant amounts of power electronics; simulations help identify issues requiring mitigation strategies such as storage systems or STATCOMs deployment or considering NVDC connections where applicable.

Automated summarization by AI Conver

Pascal Häfeli
Senior Technical Consulant
Hitachi Energy Germany AG

Discover how next-gen distribution grid technologies are addressing the challenges of renewable integration and dynamic energy demands. This session offers insights into the latest developments in AI-driven data analytics and the transformative role of IoT in grid management. Explore how innovative digital solutions are used for efficient grid planning, expansion and modernization and provide more insights into the grid. Prepare for the future and learn how advanced grid automation is facilitating the seamless integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) while enhancing grid stability, efficiency, and resilience.

Further Talks of this session:

Speaker

Dr. Thomas Hillig
CEO
THEnergy

To Talk

Speaker

David Gomez
Maximo Renewables SME
IBM

To Talk

Speaker

Bastian Gierull
CEO
Octopus Energy Germany GmbH

To Talk

Speaker

Ben Gemsjäger
Director Business Development Europe
Siemens AG

To Talk

Speaker

Paolo Catapane
Global Product Manager
ABB

To Talk

To Talk

Further Content
Webinar
EEG Reform & Grid Package – What prospects and potential does Photovoltaics have beyond 2027?

September 18, 2026

New rules for solar and energy storage: The planned EEG reform for 2027 could fundamentally reshape the support framework and market conditions. Join our webinar in cooperation with BSW-Solar to find out what opportunities and challenges these changes may bring to the industry.

Thomas Raffeiner and Petrouschka Werther
What EV Acceleration Means for the Grid

The smarter E Podcast Episode 260 | Language: English

July 9, 2026

Cars as batteries on wheels: Thomas Raffeiner and Petrouschka Werther discuss how V2G and smart charging turn EVs into critical grid assets.

Howard Wenger and Aaron Thurlow
How U.S. Innovators Are Reshaping Solar

The smarter E Podcast Episode 261 | Language: English

July 23, 2026

Live from Munich: Industry leaders discuss Nextpower’s integration of utility-scale storage and Caelux’s breakthrough perovskite-on-glass solar tech.

Rutger Schlatmann and Angelika Harter
Perovskites: The Race for the Future of PV?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 258 | Language: English

June 25, 2026

HZB researchers explore perovskite tandem solar cells, efficiency gains, and the challenges of bringing the technology to market.

Tim Meyer
Can Renewables Deliver 24/7 Power?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 259 | Language: English

July 2, 2026

Can renewables power an industrial nation 24/7? Tim Meyer and expert guests discuss breakthrough insights from The smarter E Europe 2026.

You are using an outdated browser

The website cannot be viewed in this browser. Please open the website in an up-to-date browser such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.