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1. INTRODUCTION
“Smart grids are emerging as the next
strategic challenge for the energy sector and as a key catalyst to achieve the vision of a low-carbon economy.”
In the following section we will describe the power grid , how it operates today and how a smarter grid will change the design and operations to lead to more efficient ,effective power delivery in the future. There are several Challenges which are leading decision-makers to consider this technology as an option and in some cases a requirement. This section will explore the different capabilities which sit within the smart grid construct and how they help respond to those challenges. Once it is
recognized that smart grids are not a simplistic one- size fits
all, it is possible to examine the geographic variances
which occur and identify several smart grid arche -types which correspond to a location’s specific starting point and implementation objectives.
The next-generation electricity grid, known as the “smart grid” or “intelligent grid,” is expected to address the major shortcomings of the existing grid. In essence, the smart grid needs to provide the utility companies with full visibility and pervasive control over their assets and services. The smart grid is required to be self-healing and resilient to system anomalies. And last but not least, the smart grid needs to empower its stakeholders to define and realize new ways of engaging with each other and performing energy transactions across the system.
The utility industry across the world is trying to address numerous challenges, including generation diversification, optimal deployment of expensive assets, demand response, energy conservation and reduction of the industry’s overall carbon footprint. It is evident that such critical issues cannot be addressed within the confines of the existing electricity grid. The existing electricity grid is unidirectional in nature. It converts only one-third of fuel energy into electricity, without recovering the waste heat. Almost 8% of its output is lost along its transmission lines, while 20% of its generation capacity exists to meet peak demand only (i.e., it is in use only 5% of the time). In addition to that, due to the hierarchical topology of its assets, the existing electricity grid suffers from domino effect failures.
2 What a smart grid is……..
“Smart grids incorporate embedded
computer processing capability and
two-way communications to the current
electricity infrastructure. Smart grids
operate across the utility value chain,
and should not be confused with smart meters. “
A smart grid delivers electricity from suppliers to consumers using digital technology with two-way communications to control appliances at consumers' homes to save energy, reduce cost and increase reliability and transparency. It overlays the electrical grid with an information and net metering system. Such a modernized electrical grid is being promoted by many governments as a way of addressing energy independence, global warming and emergency resilence issues.
The smart grid is made possible by applying sensing, measurement and control devices with two-way communications to electricity production, transmission, distribution and consumption parts of the power grid that communicate information about grid condition to system users, operators and automated devices, making it possible to dynamically respond to changes in grid condition.
A smart grid includes an intelligent monitoring system that keeps track of all electricity flowing in the system. It also incorporates the use of superconductive transmission lines for less power loss, as well as the capability of integrating renewable electricity such as solar and wind. When power is least expensive the user can allow the smart grid to turn on selected home appliances such as washing machines or factory processes that can run at arbitrary hours. At peak times it could turn off selected appliances to reduce demand.
A smart grid uses sensing, embedded processing and digital communications to enable the electricity grid to be:
• observable (able to be measured and visualized)
• controllable (able to manipulated and optimized)
• automated (able to adapt and self-heal)
• fully integrated (fully interoperable with existing systems and with the capacity to incorporate a diverse set ofenergy sources).
A smart grid will create the platform for a wide range of advanced and low-carbon technologies.The smart grid, as defined in Figure 2, encapsulates embedded intelligence and communications integrated at
any stage from power generation to end point
consumption. To date, the majority of the industry debate
has centred on smart meters and advanced metering
infrastructure – devices designed to accurately measure
and communicate consumption data in the home or office
environment. Confusion can arise if the term “smart
meter” is used synonymously with “smart grid”. One of
the objectives of this paper is to provide some clarity
regarding this misunderstanding. The reality is that, with
the holistic smart grid, the smart meter becomes just one
more node on the network, measuring and relaying flow
and quality data.
Figure