German energy supplier EnBW inaugurates third grid control center featuring Barco solutions

German energy company EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg and its subsidiary ZEAG AG recently inaugurated their ‘North’ grid control center in Heilbronn. Just like the other two control centers of EnBW, which opened up in 2005 and 2010, control center North is fully equipped with Barco solutions, set up by the German PSI Group (PSI Energy). It features four walls composed of eight 50’’ LED-lit OVL projection modules, in a four by two set-up. The walls offer a clear overview of the 10kV and 20kV electrical grids in the city of Heilbronn and the regions of Franken, Nordbaden and Rheinhausen.

Good control center concept is crucial

At the new control room, a team of 23 EnBW operators and three operators of EnBW subsidiary ZEAG work in three shifts, 24/7, to monitor and manage the flow of electric power across 10,000 kilometers of transmission lines and 1,500 transformers. Thanks to the advanced technology available, they can quickly spot, analyze and sometimes even remediate anomalies, such as congestion on transmission lines or an electricity breakdown. "Germany´s energy landscape is transforming dramatically. Our efficient, smart control centers help us get an integrated view of the entire grid. A good control center concept is of strategic importance to our group," said Dr. Dirk Mausbeck, member of the executive board of EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG and chairman of the supervisory board of EnBW Regional AG, and Dr. Wolfgang Bruder, chairman of EnBW Regional AG, upon the inauguration.

PSI Energy

The Barco video wall at the new North control center was installed by PSI Energy, a trusted supplier to EnBW and a Barco partner. EnBW uses PSIControl, a high-end control system by PSI, to monitor and control their electric network. Designed for the high-quality and economical control of electric transmission networks, regional power distribution networks, networks for the integrated supply of electricity, power, gas, district heating and water, railway electricity networks and industrial networks, PSIControl allows operators to quickly pinpoint errors and restore power in no time. The solution opens up new possibilities for energy management.

3rd largest German energy company

With some six million customers and more than 20,000 employees, EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG is the third-largest energy company in Germany. EnBW focuses on the electricity business - generation, trading and grid and sales - as well as the gas and energy and environmental services businesses. ZEAG Energie AG, an ENBW subsidiary, provides power to a series of towns (incl. Heilbronn) in the southern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg and supplies gas to the northern region of Heilbronn.