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SMART GRID : OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS

#Smart #grid; #measurements; #sensors

SMART GRID : OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS

Dr. C K Chanda, MIEEE, MIET(UK), FIE(I), MISTE(I)

Professor, Electrical Engineering Department

Indian Institue of Engineering Science and Technology , Botanical Garden, Howrah, India

mail Id : ckc_math@yahoo.com , ckc@ee.iiests.ac.in

Abstract:

Although the electric grid is considered an engineering marvel, we are stretching its patchwork nature to its capacity. To move forward, we need a new kind of electric grid, one that is built from the bottom up to handle the groundswell of digital and computerized equipment and technology dependent on it—and one that can automate and manage the increasing complexity and needs of electricity in this century.

The digital technology that allows for two-way communication between the utility and its customers, and the smart sensing along the transmission lines is what makes the grid smart. Like the Internet, the Smart Grid will consist of controls, computers, automation, new technologies and smart sensing equipment working together.

The Smart Grid represents an unprecedented opportunity to move the electrical energy industry into a new era of deregulation, reliability, availability, and efficiency that will contribute to our economic and environmental health. During the transition period, it will be critical to carry out testing, technology improvements, consumer education, development of standards and regulations, and information sharing between projects to ensure that the benefits we envision from the Smart Grid become a reality.

The benefits associated with the Smart Grid include:

More efficient transmission of electricity .Quicker restoration of electricity after power disturbances.Reduced operations and management costs for utilities, and ultimately lower power costs for consumers.Reduced peak demand, which will also help lower electricity rates.Increased integration of large-scale renewable energy systems.Better integration of customer-owner power generation systems, including renewable energy systems.Finally improved security with more resiliency.

Today, an electricity disruption such as a blackout can have a domino effect—a series of failures that can affect banking, communications, traffic, and security. A smarter grid will add resiliency to our electric power System and make it better prepared to address emergencies such as severe storms, earthquakes, large solar flares, and terrorist attacks. Because of its two-way interactive capacity, the Smart Grid will allow for automatic rerouting when equipment fails or outages occur. This will minimize outages and minimize the effects when they do happen.