Supporting the roll-out of smart grid technologies in Colombia phase 2: moving forward to implementation

Implementing partner: Carbon Trust
 Consortium partners: Universidad Nacional  de Colombia

 Implementation period: March 2021 - March 2023

Sector: Just Energy Transition
 
 
The overall project was delivered in three phases, and aimed at supporting the deployment of smart grids in Colombia that could enable demand-side flexibility mechanisms and technologies in Colombia. This, to allow greater penetration of non-conventional renewable energy (NCRE) and savings in the development of the electricity system infrastructure in the context of decarbonisation.
 
The three phases had a series of outputs to support the deployment of smart grids through evidence generation about the value of demand flexibility, the development of tools from a bottom-up approach to support the implementation of demand flexibility by end users, and capacity building activities on development and operation of smart grids addressed to key stakeholders of the Colombian energy system.        

This project is vital for Colombia to achieve its enhanced NDC target cost-effectively. Without smart grids, Colombia will pay an additional cost of USD 42 million per year to reach its NDC commitment by 2030. Smart grids can help Colombia have a more resilient, equitable and environmentally sustainable energy system.

- Mauricio Riveros, Senior Manager, Carbon Trust

 

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Main results

  • The most important network operators in Colombia received evidence of their clients’ demand characteristics and the benefits they could capture through specific mechanisms such as time-of-use tariffs.  

  • The project built the largest database of smart meters in Colombia and Latin America that compiles big data from the main electricity utilities. The database includes more than 120.000 smart meters and around 1000-million-meter readings. 
  • The project carried out a first of its kind Diploma on Smart Energy in South America (first 40 students graduated). 

  • Grid operators and other relevant players in the energy sector were upskilled with the relevant knowledge and skills to develop and operate a smart grid in Colombia, and user interest in its development is increasing. 

About UK PACT

UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) is a unique capacity-building programme. Jointly governed and funded by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) through the UK's International Climate Finance, it works in partnership with countries with high emissions reduction potential to support them to implement and increase their ambitions for tackling climate change.

 

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