With the launch of the first phase, the SMART GRID strategic project marks a decisive milestone in the evolution of the Tunisian electrical system. It enables STEG to undertake a profound transformation by moving from a traditional grid to an intelligent grid.
Daniel Rui Felicio, head of the Europe, Middle East and North Africa region at SIEMENS Advanta, one of the major partners in the SMART GRID project whose trajectory and prospects for the coming years were presented on Tuesday, March 31 in Tunis, was a guest on Tunisie Numérique to discuss SIEMENS’ contribution to this project.
Daniel Rui Felicio explained that SIEMENS Advanta is responsible for designing the entire system architecture, notably the software component that collects all the data from the SMART GRID. He noted that the company also provides billing-related services, thereby giving customers better visibility into their energy consumption.
He stressed that the challenge for STEG is not limited to digitizing invoices. According to him, it is especially essential to have precise data on the operation of the renewable energy network in order to ensure optimal management and to monitor its status in real time. Such an approach, he believes, enables anticipating potential failures and improving the reliability of the network.
Daniel Rui Felicio also stated that the SMART GRID project represents a fundamental shift in the way the electrical grid is managed. He indicated that it offers the opportunity to continuously detect and manage all data related to the state of the grid.
Finally, Daniel Rui Felicio stressed the importance of transparency for customers, noting that this smart network enables them to better control and rationalize their energy consumption.
It touches both STEG’s infrastructure and information system; the SMART GRID project indeed constitutes a comprehensive response to the imperatives of cost control, optimization of STEG’s network management, and also to introduce new capacities to pilot the grid.
