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DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY SERVING THE ENERGY TRANSITION

Without digital there can be no transition, say the specialists. Proof by example:

Today, the digital revolution and sustainable development go hand in hand in the transformation of territories. Optimization of energy efficiency and self-consumption of renewable energy, smart buildings, energy modulation of infrastructures: Digital technology collects data, analyses it, and provides the keys for needs-centric management. This is known as the smart grid. The Resorts Example.

Texts: Cécile Ronjat - Illustrations: Anne Bosquet

SMART GRID, DEFINED

The smart grid is an intelligent electricity distribution network that automatically adapts production to demand by promoting the flow of information between energy suppliers and consumers. In concrete terms, the network relies on a network of sensors and data flows to calculate consumption. What’s the objective? Consume less and better by using the territory’s potential and its infrastructures: Photovoltaic, wind, biomass and hydroelectric production, storage of surplus energy, and the connection of buildings to the network. Behind these smart grids are energy management software solutions, digital building management solutions, and consumption forecasting and control tools. The result is lower energy bills and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.

At the Grenoble Learning Grid, 800 sensors collect consumption data, which is then processed in real time in an “energy cockpit” from which control orders are sent. Solar panels on the roofs of the buildings, cogeneration unit, storage batteries: The microgrid takes into account the full potential of the 30,000m² site. After two years of experimentation, the ITM Grenoble campus technical and educational project has reduced its consumption by 30% compared to the preliminary project (2016).

LES ORRES, PILOT RESORT FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF TOMORROW

At Les Orres, a pilot resort for the Flexgrid program and the European Smart Altitude program, “implementing an energy management system has reduced consumption by 20%, the energy bill by 25%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 100 tonnes of CO2 equivalent each year,” explains its mayor Pierre Vollaire. To improve its energy efficiency, Les Orres relies on the self-production of local renewable energy from photovoltaic, hydroelectricity (production of 23GwH out of the 26 required), and a biomass plant. The resort also relies on storage capacities exploiting the potential of water reservoirs, cooling units, compressed air units, and hot water tanks. It controls everything through a digital energy management system for production, storage, and use for ropeways, snow-making equipment, mountain huts, administrative and cultural buildings, ice rink, tourist office, and tourist residences.

DRAW ME CHAMROUSSE 2030

Chamrousse Resort has also laid the foundations of its multi-energy Smart Grid: A virtuous energy mix associated with intelligent and scalable global control. In terms of production, the station will rely on wood via the massive use of biomass (87% of heat needed), hydrogen (in situ production of 40kg/day), and photovoltaics for a production of 900MWh/year. The multi-energy smart grid will thus make it possible to measure, monitor, and control all flows in real time and in anticipation, thanks to a digital predictive control ecosystem. The end result is a reduction in GHGs of more than 72,000 tonnes of CO2 over the entire duration of the service provider contract (25 years) and a reduction in energy costs of around 28%.

SMART BUILDINGS, 30 TO 50% LESS ON THE ENERGY BILL

To the question of the definition of the smart building, Emmanuel François, president of the Smart Building Alliance, answers: “It is first and foremost a building that is connected to the outside world, that is connected to an internet network and equipped with a digital infrastructure through which multiple services can be deployed. The building communicates data and interacts in real time in order to optimize its use of energy and space, for example.” Automatic heating, lighting, and air conditioning control: Optimized control of a smart building could reduce its consumption in KWh by 30% and up to 50% with very fine control (Le Monde, April 2021)

ISOLA 2000

Isola 2000 is another example of how to implement a smart local energy pilot (within the framework of the 2019-2025 Climate Plan of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis). To achieve its objectives of reducing its energy bill and consumption by 20%, the resort intends to mobilize its potential for storing and consuming renewable energy: Micro-hydro power station, turbines at the water treatment plant and on drinking water, photovoltaic energy, energy recovery from the funicular. Energy production will be controlled by a digital energy management system and Smart Grids. The aim is to optimize energy management of ropeways, snow-making equipment, buildings, residences, leisure complexes, and charging points for electric vehicles.

the number 5G consumes 10 times less than 4G and fibre 7 times less than an ADSL line (Source: Orange).

MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO (ITALY)

Madonna di Campiglio is the Italian pilot resort for the Smart Altitude program, along with its counterpart Les Orres, and is aiming for zero carbon emissions by 2026, the year of the Winter Olympics. To improve its energy efficiency by integrating more renewable energy and optimizing water consumption, the resort has implemented an energy management system that controls its electrical network, lifts, groomers, snow production, and buildings. Bruno Felicetti, Deputy Director of Funivie Madonna di Campiglio SpA, explains: “Experimenting with the Smart Altitude IEMS (Integrated Management System) at Madonna di Campiglio puts us at the forefront of energy management in our ski area. We want to rethink the traditional model by using new management and organizational solutions, and by adopting increasingly efficient technologies with a view to integrating renewable energy and electric mobility. The aim is to achieve zero CO2 emissions by 2026.”

ERIK-ODIIN

WHAT SHE SAID

“We are convinced, as elected mountain representatives, that the ecological transition cannot be achieved without the digital transition and vice versa.”

Jeanine Dubié President of the ANEM (National Association of Elected Officials in Mountainous Regions)

DIGITAL TWINS: A WAY FORWARD FOR RESORTS?

A digital twin is a digital replica of an object, process, or system that can be used to simulate a new use and measure its impact before moving on to design. A study published jointly by Dassault Systèmes and Accenture shows that more than 7.5Gt of CO2 emissions could be avoided over the next decade and more than €1.3t of economic value created, thanks to digital twins. Simulating the design of low-energy buildings, a smart grid, or a network of electric vehicles in a resort: Digital twins have what it takes to be at the heart of the energy transition. What if these disruptive technologies were a way forward for mountains?

The first central bifacial photovoltaic solar in ski resort

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