The different challenges that DarWEN is called to address are:

 

At the technology level
  • The development of a Smart Management & Optimum Dispatch Scheduling Platform for the WEN, comprising a tool for the design and operation of water and energy hypersystems, which shall capture a broad range of strategies and smart-grid technologies.
  • The development of a prototype WECC, as the evolution of the ECCs that have recently started to emerge in the non-interconnected island regions, aiming to the integration of the electricity and water distribution systems, considering at the same time of additional vectors, such as transportation via the introduction of electromobility.
  • The development of an Advanced Forecasting System for energy and water systems on the basis of machine learning techniques, which will comprise both a stand-alone tool and one of the main modules of the smart DarWEN platform.
  • The development of State Estimators for energy and water systems together with Early Warning & Fault Detection mechanisms, exploiting also the capabilities of the Advanced Forecasting System.
  • The demonstration and validation of the DarWEN solution in a real operational environment, taking advantage of and at the same time upgrading the already advanced infrastructure of the Tilos island smart microgrid, mainly in terms of the local water system.
At the market level:
  • Through the development of a low capital-intensity solution, DarWEN aims to the reforming and optimum exploitation of energy and water infrastructure and resources at the local community and municipality level, paying special attention to regions facing severe problems of security of supply, such as in the case of Greek islands.
  • The toolbox of DarWEN concerns water and energy distribution system operators, municipal enterprises, local administration authorities, cooperatives and energy communities, while it can also be adjusted to the needs of different ecosystems as, for example, with industrial facilities.