02-02-2012, 12:36 PM
SMARTGRID TECHNOLOGY
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INTRODUCTION
ONE of the fundamental challenges of power system operation is running a true supply-on-demand system that is expected to be absolutely reliable. Historically this challenge led to a power system based on highly controllable supply to match a largely uncontrolled demand. However, with the dual concerns of climate change and energy security alternative sources of energy have become an increasingly attractive proposition and are now beginning to achieve
significant levels of penetration in certain areas. This can cause problems with the conventional system balancing methodologies. Since penetration levels of renewable energy are likely to continue increasing a rethink of the existing energy balancing paradigm may be required. Fortunately, an operational smart grid has the potential to mitigate some of the difficulties that are posed by high levels of renewable energy generation. The use of smarter grid operations allows for greater penetration of variable energy sources through the more flexible management of the system. This can be achieved in many ways from active demand-side management (DSM) to temporary storage technologies, whether dedicated to electricity or sourced through a symbiotic supply (such as electric vehicles).
One of the key aspects to a smarter grid is the ability to make decisions on how to operate the power system on both the supply-side and the demand-side. The right information is essential in order to make the right decisions and this is ubiquitous throughout the entire smart grid system.
II. SMART GRIDS
The term “smart grid” is somewhat qualitative since there are various proposed implementations that have varying levels of sophistication However, standard among all implementations is the use of advanced sensor and communications technologies to enable better use of assets provide improved reliability and enable consumer access to a wider range of services. There are some defining features that exist in most smart grids.
A. A smart grid will provide an interface between consumer appliances and the traditional assets in a power system (generation, transmission and distribution)
III. RENEWABLE ENERGY INTEGRATION USING A SMART GRID
Weather-driven, non-scheduled, renewable energy sources require new operational procedures. Conventional fossil fuel power plants can be operated in accordance with the needs of the power system; the present power system operating procedures were designed with this in mind. Renewable energy sources such as wind or solar are variable and thus the operating schedules of such plants are largely dictated by the changing “fuel” supply. This is especially pertinent in the case of wind, photovoltaic solar and run-of-the-river hydro, none of which have inherent storage in their power plant design. These systems cannot be controlled in the same manner as a conventional generation facility.
IV. ASSESSING RENEWABLE ENERGY IN A SMART GRID
A smart grid must be able to make decisions and those decisions must be based upon information. However, not all of that information is necessarily “live” data. In fact, when designing a smart grid the likely limitations on the system must be understood – some of these limitations will be physical, some will be contractual and some may even be political.
V. FORECASTING RENEWABLE ENERGY IN A SMART GRID
When actually operating smart grids forecasts of future requirements are essential to be able to prepare the flexible systems to behave in the appropriate manner. Non-scheduled renewable energy resources add another variable to an already complicated balancing act
[attachment=17054]
INTRODUCTION
ONE of the fundamental challenges of power system operation is running a true supply-on-demand system that is expected to be absolutely reliable. Historically this challenge led to a power system based on highly controllable supply to match a largely uncontrolled demand. However, with the dual concerns of climate change and energy security alternative sources of energy have become an increasingly attractive proposition and are now beginning to achieve
significant levels of penetration in certain areas. This can cause problems with the conventional system balancing methodologies. Since penetration levels of renewable energy are likely to continue increasing a rethink of the existing energy balancing paradigm may be required. Fortunately, an operational smart grid has the potential to mitigate some of the difficulties that are posed by high levels of renewable energy generation. The use of smarter grid operations allows for greater penetration of variable energy sources through the more flexible management of the system. This can be achieved in many ways from active demand-side management (DSM) to temporary storage technologies, whether dedicated to electricity or sourced through a symbiotic supply (such as electric vehicles).
One of the key aspects to a smarter grid is the ability to make decisions on how to operate the power system on both the supply-side and the demand-side. The right information is essential in order to make the right decisions and this is ubiquitous throughout the entire smart grid system.
II. SMART GRIDS
The term “smart grid” is somewhat qualitative since there are various proposed implementations that have varying levels of sophistication However, standard among all implementations is the use of advanced sensor and communications technologies to enable better use of assets provide improved reliability and enable consumer access to a wider range of services. There are some defining features that exist in most smart grids.
A. A smart grid will provide an interface between consumer appliances and the traditional assets in a power system (generation, transmission and distribution)
III. RENEWABLE ENERGY INTEGRATION USING A SMART GRID
Weather-driven, non-scheduled, renewable energy sources require new operational procedures. Conventional fossil fuel power plants can be operated in accordance with the needs of the power system; the present power system operating procedures were designed with this in mind. Renewable energy sources such as wind or solar are variable and thus the operating schedules of such plants are largely dictated by the changing “fuel” supply. This is especially pertinent in the case of wind, photovoltaic solar and run-of-the-river hydro, none of which have inherent storage in their power plant design. These systems cannot be controlled in the same manner as a conventional generation facility.
IV. ASSESSING RENEWABLE ENERGY IN A SMART GRID
A smart grid must be able to make decisions and those decisions must be based upon information. However, not all of that information is necessarily “live” data. In fact, when designing a smart grid the likely limitations on the system must be understood – some of these limitations will be physical, some will be contractual and some may even be political.
V. FORECASTING RENEWABLE ENERGY IN A SMART GRID
When actually operating smart grids forecasts of future requirements are essential to be able to prepare the flexible systems to behave in the appropriate manner. Non-scheduled renewable energy resources add another variable to an already complicated balancing act
