General Director of NITES Belgrade Miloš Živanović – Digital tools for the stability of power systems

The stability of electric power systems has been a key challenge since their inception, especially in recent years due to increased consumption and integration of renewable energy sources.

But the risk of network failures and mass outages can be reduced by digital solutions, says in an interview for eKapija Miloš Živanović, operations director of NITES Group and general manager of NITES Belgrade.

According to him, digital tools, among them the software solutions of NITES company, enable data collection and automatic processing from various devices and sensors on the electrical distribution network based on which the early identification of anomalies is achieved and undertaking corrective action before any malfunctions or interruptions occur.

Our interlocutor notes that the focus of the Nites company remains on the field of energy and digital healthcare, while smart city solutions have already been developed, and their further implementation and expansion are planned.

eKapija: What are the key challenges of the existing electric power systems, that is, the existing electric power infrastructure and can digital transformation improve the electricity sector?

- The stability of the electric power system has been a key challenge since its inception, and modern requirements due to increased consumption and connection of new types of consumers such as, e.g. electric vehicles, require continuous planning and investment in system flexibility. Digital transformation, i.e. its results achieved through the application of adequate technologies, enables quick identification of problems and making necessary decisions, thus achieving an increase in system stability and flexibility. For instance, with digital solutions, power system operators can better understand the condition of the grid and react proactively, reducing the risk of breakdowns and mass outages.

eKapija: How can digital tools prevent breakdowns and mass outages?

- Digital tools, among them the software solutions of NITES company, enable data collection and automatic processing from various devices and sensors on the electrical distribution network based on which the early identification of anomalies is achieved and undertaking corrective action before any malfunctions or interruptions occur.

eKapija: On its way to a green transition the Balkans is increasingly relying on renewable energy sources. Is digital transformation a prerequisite for integrating renewable energy sources?

- Integration of renewable energy sources increases the complexity of the electric power system, primarily due to the variability of the production level due to the dependence on weather conditions, for example, the strength of the wind or solar radiation. Digital solutions and collected data that are processed, they enable operators to manage the system efficiently based on the results of advanced analytics and predictive models both production from renewable sources and consumption on the network.

eKapija: What are the key advantages of digital transformation for the long-term stability and resilience of the energy sector?

- Digital transformation allows for a faster reaction to changes in energy consumption and production, planning and optimization of resources, both in regular and extraordinary circumstances, caused by weather conditions or breakdowns.

eKapija: What are the plans of the NITES company in Serbia and the region?

- Our goal is to continue to build our role within the digital transformation initiatives and further development of our products to help businesses and communities to use the advantages of changes and new technological solutions. Our focus primarily remains on energy and digital health (eHealth), but we plan to invest more in our engineers` knowledge and experience in solutions from the field of smart cities (SmartCity), because we believe that new technologies can be used to improve the quality of life for all of us. We want to continue and strengthen our cooperation with partners in the region in order to jointly build a better and sustainable future.