Smart Grid
The smart grid is defined as a method of delivery of energy
that provides transparent, seamless, and instantaneous two-way transportation
of electricity and information, and allows the electricity industry to better
manage energy delivery and transmission and empower the consumers to
have more control over energy decisions.
Therefore, the smart grid is a modernized and computerized
version of the electric grid which consists of intelligent sensors and other
components for monitoring and controlling the flow of electricity and
information according to demand. Which, the smart grid provides a two-way flow
of electricity and information between the utility company and consumers.
Functions of Smart Grid
The major functions that a smart grid performs are described
in the following sections-
(1). Fault Current Limiting:
When a fault occurs in the electrical power system, it
causes a very high current to flow through the line conductors and system
equipment which may cause severe damage to the system. Since, in a
conventional electric grid, there is no provision for limiting the fault current.
But, the smart grid provides the facility for limiting the
fault current by using intelligent sensors and actuators, digital
communication, information processing, etc. All these components allow the
utility to use a higher degree of network coordination to reconfigure the
system to restrict the fault currents from exceeding the damaging levels.
(2). Power Flow Control:
The smart grid uses different smart components in order to
control the flow of electric power (active power and reactive power). Power
flow control requires techniques that are applied at the transmission and
distribution levels to influence the path through which the electric power
travels.
Therefore, the smart grid uses tools such as flexible AC
transmission systems (FACTS), phase angle regulating transformers (PARTs),
series capacitors, and very low impedance superconductors, etc. in order to
enable this functionality, i.e. power flow control.
(3). Wide Area Monitoring, Visualization, and Control:
A smart grid enables us to monitor, visualize and control over a wide area. For this, the smart grids are equipped with time-synchronized
sensors, communications, and information processing. All these facilities make
it possible for the condition of the bulk power system to be observed and
understood in real-time. Therefore, it enables us to take protective,
preventive, or corrective actions.
(4). Automated Feeder and Line Switching:
The smart grids are also able to perform automated feeder
and line switching. The automated feeder and line switching is realized through
automatic isolation and reconfiguration of faulted segments of the distribution
feeders or the transmission lines using sensors, controls, switches, and
communication systems.
(5). Adaptive Protection:
One of the major functions of the smart grid is the
adaptive protection of the system. The adaptive protection scheme of the smart
grid uses adjustable protective relay settings like the current, voltage, feeders,
etc. that can change in real time based on the signals from local sensors or a
central control system.
(6). Determination of Dynamic Capability Rating:
The smart grid also helps in determining the dynamic
capability rating. In the smart grid, the dynamic capability rating can be achieved
through the real-time determination of a system element’s (such as line,
transformer, etc.) ability to carry load based on the electrical and environmental
conditions.
(7). Real-Time Load Transfer:
The smart grid also performs the function of real-time load
transfer in the power system. In the smart grid, real-time load transfer is
achieved through real-time feeder reconfiguration and optimization to
relieve the load on equipment, improve asset utilization, improve distribution system efficiency, and enhance system performance.
(8). Customer Electricity Use Optimization:
Another major function of a smart grid is the optimization
of the utilization of electricity at the customer end. Customer electricity use
optimization is possible if the customers are provided with information to make
educated decisions about their utilization of electricity. With this information,
the customers could be able to optimize toward multiple goals like cost,
reliability, convenience and environmental impact, etc.
Characteristics of Smart Grid
Basically, the smart grid employs innovative products
and services together with intelligent monitoring, control, communication, and
self-healing technology. Therefore, the chief characteristics of the smart grid are
described as follows:
(1). Allows the consumers to optimize the system operation:
Smart grid provides information about the system operation
and choice of supply to the consumers so that they can contribute to the optimization
of the system operation.
(2). Operates the assets efficiently:
A smart grid operates the assets of the system efficiently by
intelligent operation of the power delivery system. Therefore, the smart grid
allows the use of system assets depending on their requirement, i.e. what is
required and when it is required.
(3). Allows the demand-side response and management:
Smart grid integrates smart energy meters, smart
appliances, smart consumer loads, storage of electricity, micro-generation of
electricity, etc. which enables the demand-side response and management of
electricity. These smart components of the smart grid provide customers with information
related to the utilization and prices of electricity. By using this information, consumers can change their consumption patterns to overcome some of the
problems and constraints associated with the electricity delivery system.
(4). Smart grid significantly reduces the impacts of the electricity supply system on the environment:
The smart grid allows the connection and operation of electric
generators of all sizes, intermittent generation, storage of electricity,
distributed generation, power generation by renewable energy sources, micro-generation,
etc. All these facilities significantly reduce the impacts of the electricity
supply system on the environment.
(5). Smart grid has a quick-to-recover operation from difficult conditions:
The operation of the smart grid is quick to recover from difficult conditions such as disasters, physical damages, cyber-attacks, etc. Therefore,
the smart grid has a significantly resilient operation, and hence supplies
electricity with enhanced levels of reliability and security.
(6). Smart grid provides power quality of electricity supply:
Smart grid provides power quality of the electricity supply
to use the sensitive equipment which enhances the digital economy.
(7). Smart grid opens access to the markets:
The smart grid opens access to the markets through increased transmission paths, aggregated supply, demand response initiatives, and ancillary service provisions.
Conclusion
Thus, in this article, we discussed the function and
characteristics of smart grids in detail. From the above discussion, it is
clear that the smart grid improves the power quality of electricity,
reliability, system efficiency, security, etc. Therefore, the smart grid is an
enhanced form of power delivery system.
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