Smart grid - Wiki

Contents

A smart grid is an electrical distribution grid which allows for two-way communication between the utility and its customers, and often includes sensing along the transmission lines. With these sensing and communication measures, a smart grid will consist of controls, computers, automation, and new technologies to create greater energy efficiency amongst the distribution equipment.

A smart grid often also includes the integration of renewable energy sources. These renewable sources, along with a more decentralized energy supply and bidirectional power flows, can increase the efficiency and sustainability of the power distributed through the grids and reduce the effect of peak power times on the power infrastructure.

Graphic representation of the interactions on a smart grid through increased communication.

Smart grids offer:

More efficient transmission of electricity
Faster restoration of electricity after power disturbances
Reduced operations and management costs for utilities and consumers
Reduced peak demand
Increased integration of renewable energy systems
Integration of customer-owned power generation systems
Improved security

Features of smart grids

Feature

How

Advanced services

Smart grids offer the opportunity for new or improved services. These can include fire monitoring and alarms that can shut off power and call emergency services. They can also offer power line networking, including broadband, to provide service to any area power can reach.

Demand response support

Through demand response systems, smart grids allow generators and loads to interact in an automated fashion to coordinate demand and flatten power spikes.

Efficiency

Through load adjustment and balancing, peak curtailment and peak leveling, demand-side management, and advanced metering systems, smart grids can increase the overall power efficiency by understanding where power is needed and reducing redundancy. Also, the power grid can respond faster to dips and peaks in power demand, and smart devices on the consumer side can be scheduled to run during off-peak times to reduce the overall infrastructure load.

Flexibility

Through two-way communication, a smart grid allows for bidirectional energy flows and other technologies to use reverse flow energy to support the larger grids.

Reliability

Through state estimation, fault detection, and self-healing technology, smart grids can maintain networks and infrastructure without technician intervention; this creates increased reliability for electrical supply and reduced vulnerability to disasters or attack.