Smart Grids and Renewables – from intelligent metering to the Internet of Energy

SiC and GaN power semiconductors are central enablers for more efficient energy conversion, because they reduce switching losses, enable higher switching frequencies and thus create more compact, thermally more robust systems for smart grids and renewable energies. In inverters, power supplies and storage converters, they deliver more power density and better efficiency, which counts particularly in solar and storage applications and in grid integration.

The most important trends include the move to higher voltage levels, greater miniaturisation of power electronics, improved packaging concepts and a growing focus on reliability under high load. While SiC scores above all at high voltages and power levels, GaN is establishing itself mainly in compact, high-frequency applications.

Particularly relevant at present are the scaling of production, falling system costs and new modular architectures that further increase efficiency and power density. For semiconductor technology, this means that in the energy transition SiC and GaN are moving from a specialist solution to a key technology for robust, economical and grid-friendly converter platforms.

Unlike classic mechanical protective devices, solid-state circuit breakers can limit fault currents within microseconds, avoid arcing and thus better safeguard the integrity of sensitive DC systems. They therefore play a role in smart grids and renewable energies above all where DC grids, battery storage, charging infrastructure and plants dominated by power electronics have to be protected very quickly and selectively.

The most important technology trends include wider adoption in DC microgrids and BESS applications, closer coupling with digital monitoring and control, and a focus on bidirectional energy flows, such as those arising with PV storage and V2G systems. In parallel, selective fault isolation is gaining importance, because decentralised generation and storage behave more dynamically than classic grids.

From the point of view of semiconductor technology, SiC-based switches, increasingly also GaN approaches, as well as optimised gate drivers, faster sensors and integrated protection and diagnostic functions are particularly relevant. The trend is clearly towards smaller, more efficient and thermally more robust solutions that combine high switching speeds with a better loss and cost balance, a central lever for SSCBs to move from a specialist device to broader grid technology.

Smart metering systems supply the data basis of the smart energy world: they capture consumption and feed-in almost in real time and make loads, photovoltaics and storage easier to control. In smart grids and with renewable energies in particular, they ensure that grid and plant operators can react more flexibly to volatile generation.

The most important trends include closer links with dynamic tariffs, the inclusion of prosumers.

s, remotely readable and interoperable communication, and the expansion of cloud- and IoT-supported analysis. In parallel, cybersecurity is gaining weight, because the systems are regarded as critical digital infrastructure and have to protect ever larger volumes of data reliably.When designing smart meters, the focus is therefore, alongside energy-efficient microcontrollers and integrated measurement and power management solutions, above all on secure communication chips and devices for encrypted data transmission. Added to this are robust designs for continuous operation, lower power losses and scalable platforms that combine well in smart meter gateways and edge applications.

Via power line communication (PLC), decentralised plants, meters, storage and grid components in the smart grid and in renewable energy systems can be connected to one another without additional data cabling. Connected gateways serve as interface and mediation devices that connect different networks, protocols or data formats with one another and translate data between field devices, local controls and higher-level IT or cloud systems. These solutions make it possible, particularly in distribution grids, to create a pragmatic bridge between energy flow and data traffic.

Current trends range from real-time capability and IPv6-based networking through better integration of decentralised generators to more robust communication architectures for volatile feed-in from solar and wind. Added to this is the focus on interoperable, scalable gateways that bundle data from field devices, pre-process it and pass it on securely to control systems or cloud platforms. In parallel, demand is growing for solutions that tolerate disturbances in the grid better and keep operation stable even in complex distribution grids.

In semiconductor technology, integrated PLC transceivers, energy-efficient microcontrollers and security functions in communication chips are especially in demand. Small, robust SoCs for edge gateways that translate protocols, filter data locally and support cybersecurity at hardware level are also becoming important. The trend is thus clearly towards stronger integration, lower energy demand and higher system resilience.

In smart grids, edge intelligence and AI-capable microcontrollers mainly take on tasks where the data arises: at inverters, storage systems, charging points and grid components. They enable local evaluation, faster response times, less data traffic and more resilience, for example in load management, condition monitoring and the integration of volatile renewable feed-in.

The most important trends include shifting AI functions to the grid edge, real-time analytics for decentralised energy plants, predictive maintenance, and edge-supported control in microgrids, demand response and charging infrastructure. Also particularly relevant is the combination of local intelligence and secure, cloud-supported coordination, because this makes energy and grid services more robust and more scalable.

In semiconductor technology, the focus is therefore above all on energy-efficient, compact and highly integrated platforms. In demand are microcontrollers and edge SoCs with integrated AI accelerators, security functions and low power consumption, so that AI can also be used in space- and cost-sensitive.

field devices. Edge SoCs are considerably more highly integrated, with CPU, NPU, security and in some cases network functions on one chip. The trend towards security by design, that is, hardware roots of trust, is particularly visible, as is the move towards industrial communication standards such as single-pair Ethernet. In parallel, small NPUs and software-supported development environments are gaining importance, because they are what make edge AI practicable on low-energy platforms in the first place.

In the smart grid and renewables environment, wireless connectivity is becoming the digital bracket between generation, distribution, storage and consumption: it connects decentralised plants, sensors and control systems where wired infrastructure would be too expensive, too rigid or too elaborate. It is particularly important for real-time monitoring, load management, predictive maintenance and the integration of fluctuating feed-in sources such as solar and wind plants.

The most important technology trends currently include private LTE and 5G networks, Wi-SUN and RF mesh for smart metering and field devices, but also closer integration with edge computing and IoT gateways. Added to this are higher requirements for cybersecurity, low latency and interoperability, because grids have to be synchronised with ever more decentralised sources, storage systems and flexible loads. In parallel, the focus on robust wireless solutions for hard-to-access locations, such as substations, PV parks or wind turbines, is growing.

The semiconductor industry supplies energy-efficient radio chips, integrated multi-protocol connectivity and security-capable system-on-chip platforms for this, because they have to optimise range, power consumption and data protection at the same time. Devices for robust sensors, wireless gateways and edge-capable communication modules that pre-process data and reduce network load are also gaining importance. Wireless connectivity is thus shifting increasingly from pure transmission to a core building block of the digital energy infrastructure.

The Internet of Energy (IoE) describes a digitally connected energy system that intelligently coordinates the generation, storage and consumption of electricity. This requires bidirectional data flows between the components of the energy system, from sensors, smart meters and inverters to battery storage, charging infrastructure and central control systems. 

Smart grids form the backbone of this development. They capture operating data in real time, balance load fluctuations and make it easier to integrate decentralised renewable energy sources reliably. Key technology trends include virtual power plants, edge computing for fast local decisions, and interoperable communication standards such as IEEE 2030.5.

With Avnet IoTConnect, EBV Elektronik offers developers a scalable end-to-end platform for implementing IoT solutions in the industrial and energy sector. The cloud-based solution supports the development and management of connected applications, from first prototypes to productive implementation.

The range of functions includes: 

• Device management for connected endpoints and IoT networks 
• Secure connectivity and cloud connection 
• Capture, analysis and visualisation of operating data 
• Individually configurable, interactive dashboards 
• AI functions and plug-ins for further analysis 
• Support for scalable IoT architectures 

Pre-configured hardware kits and the integration of cloud services help to shorten development times and put applications into operation efficiently. 

A central area of application for Avnet IoTConnect is energy management. The platform enables real-time monitoring at the network edge and connects this data with cloud-based analysis and visualisation. Companies can track relevant key figures for their plants on clear dashboards and use the data for operational decisions.

Intelligence can be placed as needed at the sensor node, in the smart meter, in the inverter or in the cloud. This makes it possible to monitor energy flows more transparently, detect deviations early and assess plant performance more precisely. Data-based forecasts also support the planning of generation, consumption and storage capacity.