Enel and Rosseti Sign MoU for Cooperation in Innovative Smart Grid Solutions

Enel S.p.A. and Rosseti, the national operator of energy networks in Russia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in innovative smart grid solutions. The agreement was signed in the framework of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) by Francesco Starace, Enel’s CEO and General Manager, and Oleg Budargin, General Director of Rosseti.

“This memorandum of understanding allows us to share our expertise on one of the key areas of the Group’s global strategy such as network digitisation, with particular emphasis on smart metering, network automation, and electric mobility”, said Francesco Starace, Enel’s CEO and General Manager. “In addition, the MoU will allow us to further explore the potential of our most innovative solutions in smart grid operation, a field in which Enel is traditionally a best-in-class benchmark.”

“The implementation of smart meters will allow the architecture of future energy system to be built, as well as developing new services, reducing power losses and optimizing costs,” said Oleg Budargin, General Director of Rosseti. “These are important factors from the point of view of the customers, who become an active part of the system and are interested in increasing the efficiency of their own energy consumption and the overall efficiency of the system as well”.

The MoU, which has a duration of two years, aims to build partnership relations between Enel and Rosseti by promoting the exchange of information and by sharing best practices as well as technological solutions in the areas of work outlined by the MoU such as smart metering and grid digitisation.

Enel and Rosseti will exchange the experiences and best practices in the construction, modernisation, and maintenance of power grid infrastructures to improve and enhance their efficiency, reliability and safety, including the possible implementation of a joint pilot project for the creation of a smart cluster using Enel’s cutting-edge smart grid platform.

Enel is a global leader in the field of smart metering and digital network technologies. Digitisation is also one of the pillars of Enel’s 2017-2019 strategic plan  presented in November. In 2001 Enel became the world’s first utility to implement smart metering technology when it began replacing its Italian customers’ conventional meters with digital smart meters, which the company is now replacing with a second generation. Enel is also rolling out smart meters in Spain, while in Romania, Chile, Brazil and Colombia it is carrying out pilot projects. In addition, the Group has a number of smart city projects in cities around the world, such as Santiago in Chile, Buzios in Brazil, and Malaga and Barcelona in Spain.

Rosseti is one of the largest power companies in the world. The company manages 2,3 million km of power lines and 496,000 substations with total transformer capacity of more than 773,000 MVA. Rosseti Group is represented by 36 affiliated and dependent companies. Rosseti is a leading company in the Russian market in introducing innovative technologies to the transmission and distribution grid complex. The company pays great attention to such issues as energy conservation, energy efficiency, international cooperation, environmental protection and occupational safety.