|
A great deal of buzz is being generated around Smart Grid and how it will change the way we deliver and use electricity. But what the heck is Smart Grid, and why is it important? Here’s our take on the subject, with a little help from NEMA
(the primary trade association for the electrical manufacturing industry).
In simplistic terms, the Smart Grid is a modern electronic system. The basic concept is to add sensors, monitoring, communications, automation and computers to improve the flexibility, security, reliability, efficiency, and safety of our national electricity system. 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 alternative sources of electricity such as solar and wind. Such a modernized electricity network is being promoted by many governments as a way of addressing energy independence, global warming and emergency
resilience issues.
Smart Grid essentially brings all elements of the electricity system - production, delivery and consumption - closer together to improve overall system operation for the benefit of utility companies, consumers, and the environment.
Today’s Electricity Delivery System
There are thousands of power plants throughout the Unites States (and around the world) that generate electricity using wind energy, nuclear energy, coal, hydro, natural gas, and a variety of other resources. Distribution of electricity occurs in the following manner:
- Generating stations produce electricity at a certain electrical voltage. This voltage is then increased to very high voltages to increase the efficiency of power transmission over long distances.
- Once the electrical power gets near a town or city, the electrical voltage is decreased in a utility substation to a lower voltage for distribution around the town or city.
- As the electrical power gets closer to a home or business, it is decreased by another transformer to match the voltage actually used in the home or business.
The Problem
In many areas of the United States, electricity delivery systems are getting
old and worn out. In addition, population growth in some areas has caused the entire transmission system to be over used and fragile. At the same time, people have added more electronic devices to their homes, such as computers, wireless telephones, HD televisions, microwave ovens, etc. There are even electronic controls on new refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers. These new appliances are more sensitive to variations in electric voltage than older appliances.
Unfortunately, the entire electrical grid is becoming more fragile at the same
time appliances are getting more sensitive to electrical variations. The bottom
line? Reliability of electrical power will decline unless something is done to
deliver it in a more intelligent way.
Why Smart Grid is Important
Smart Grid is important because it will allow utilities to move electricity
around the delivery system as efficiently and economically as possible,
while enabling a homeowner or business to use electricity as economically
as possible. Armed with more information, consumers will have the choice
and flexibility to manage electrical use while minimizing their costs. For
example, when power is least expensive a Smart Grid could 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.
Smart Grid is also positioned to take advantage of new technologies such
as home area networks, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, solar energy, smart metering, lighting management systems, distribution automation, and
many more. Below we highlight some of the expected benefits of the
Smart Grid:
- Increased electricity supply reliability (reduced black-outs & brown-outs which are estimated to cost US industry $100bn on average each year), efficiency and safety of the grid
- Decentralized generation typified by the introduction of renewables (wind, AD, solar, wave, tidal, hydro, geothermal - as opposed to a small number of large power stations) onto the grid
- Resistance to attack and self-healing capability (reducing power outages, improving stability of current and voltage supply)
- 2-way flows of electricity (consumer to the grid and grid to the consumer)
- Peak demand management
- Reduced global warming
- Active participation of consumers in controlling their costs and usage of energy based on real-time information
|
