Source:http://www.hitachi.com/environment/showcase/solution/energy/images/img_smartgrid/smartgrid_02.jpg
Introduction
Smart grid is used to make sure if an area is affected by a situation that makes the area loose power, the electricity will automatically be redirected via an alternate route to make sure that there the customer is not affected. So this self-healing power that the smart grid has ensures rapid fixes and allows a more reliable and efficient electrical grid. Whereas just a normal grid, once a area loses power the grid only gets informed when the customer makes a complaint other than that the grid would not be informed. The problem with that is if this problem happened in the middle of the night the customer has to wait untill the morning to report the issue or contact the utility company. This one the main reasons why smart grid was introduced . there are a number of key features that a smart grid has. However, the impact of a smart grid is that it will introduce the two-way dialog. two-way communication between suppliers and consumers, creating more dynamic communication on energy flow, which will help deliver electricity more efficiently and maintainable. As its shown in the picture it’s not only used in homes its used everywhere such as factories, offices and etc.
“So unlike today’s National Grid, which just allows electricity to be delivered to the home, the introduction of this 2-way dialog as part of the Smart Grid enables real-time energy usage data to be sent from the home back to the energy suppliers. This allows instant meter readings so actual usage can be billed without the need to send someone out to read the meter.This 2-way dialog increases the potential for consumers to interact more with their energy consumption, helping to reduce peak demand and therefore lowering carbon emissions within the grid.”
Source:http://www.thegreenage.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Captura-de-pantalla-2013-11-07-a-las-15.41.47.png
Background :
The principal exchanging current power network framework was introduced in 1886 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Around then, the grid was a brought together unidirectional arrangement of electric power transmission,electricity circulation, and request driven control. In the twentieth century neighborhood frameworks developed after some time, and were in the long run interconnected for financial and unwavering quality reasons. Since the mid 21st century, chances to exploit enhancements in electronic correspondence innovation to determine the confinements and expenses of the electrical framework have turned out to be clear. he first authority meaning of Smart Grid was given by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA-2007), which was affirmed by the US
Congress in January 2007, and marked to law byPresident George W. Shrub in December 2007. savvy network innovations rose up out of before endeavors at utilizing electronic control, metering, and checking. In the 1980s, programmed meter perusing was utilized for checking loads from huge clients, and developed into the Advanced Metering Infrastructure of the 1990s, whose meters could store how power was utilized at various circumstances of the day Smart meters include ceaseless correspondences so observing should be possible continuously, and can be utilized as a portal to request reaction mindful gadgets and “brilliant attachments” in the home.
Discussion
It is fact of general observation that energy crisis, climate change and such other related issues are the major concerns of the modern era and they are interconnected. So, looking at their interconnectivity, it becomes important to devise a program or ways and means that may be influencing to all of these issues at the same time. So, in response to all of these issues the concept of ‘grid’ has been developed in order to play an important role in the face of such challenging problems such as money and improve efficieny. The important goal of smart grid is to provide to do the same work consuming less energy and costing less. The smart grid and the integration and the introduction of loads of micro power plants which could be wind turbines or even solar panels. So these could be closer to home in order to reduce potential losses transmissions created. Whereas on a grid if you turned on a light in a room the electricity would require from its closest source. Which could cause electricity loss due to its distance as the electricity has to travel from a couple of centralized fossil fuel power plants to the room.
Source:https://www.business.att.com/content/product/images/iot-smart-grid/smart-grid-solution-diagram-120815.png
Smart grid Overview
Smart grid is practical method and it uses a number of appliances and methods to make efficient use of energy. In addition to that, smart grid has been associated with positive impacts on the environment, economy, and energy costs and along with that, it is said to play an important role in reducing energy consumption. In this regard, smart grid appliances have been developed which are used to achieve these varieties of benefits and positive impacts. However, according to an estimation that to 70% to 90% of energy can be saved by applying methods and appliances of a smart grid. The institute of Lovins’ Rocky Mountain maintains that in the context of industry, “there are abundant opportunities to save 70% to 90% of the energy and cost for lighting, fan, and pump systems; 50% for electric motors; and 60% in areas such as heating, cooling, equipment, and appliances” (Jetter et al, 2012).
McKinsey Global Institute released a report in 2006 which made the assertion that “there are sufficient economically viable opportunities for energy productivity improvements that could keep global energy-demand growth at less than 1 percent per annum” (Palmer, 2013).
Smart grid Appliances
Source:http://www.research.att.com/export/sites/att_labs/library/image_gallery/articles/2010_01/2010001_smart_main_dk2b.jpg
The smart home communicates with the grid and enables consumers to manage their electricity usage. By measuring homes electricity consumption more frequently through a smart meter. Utilities provide their customers with much better information to manage their electricity bills. Inside the smart home, a home area network connects supplies, thermostats, and other electrical devices. Smart appliances and devices will adjust their run schedule to reduce electricity demand on a grid at critical times and lower consumers electricity bills to an energy management system There are a number of homes as well as industrial appliances have been developed that are designed to promote smart grid. However, the range of appliances is very broad and it includes appliances of all kinds, such as; stoves, dishwashers, ovens, freezers to name just a few. However, the appliances are getting more efficient with time and it can be hoped that, in future, the best smart grid appliances will be at hand. There is an increasing number of countries which are making use of smart grid methods and technologies.A There is a great tendency of using energy grid methods to achieve different results and smart grid is a modern method which can be used effectively to solve present problems. It is an encouraging fact that smart grid is a combination of many different concepts as well as practical methods and it is aimed at solving the present economic, environmental challenges
Conclusion
Smart grid is the answer to many problems and its effectiveness and practicality are increasing day by day. It is a highly effective way to fight against many different issues as environmental, economical and so. Now great attention is given to the practical aspects of smart grid and researches are being conducted to develop more smart grid appliances and systems. This is an evolution of the use of energy and most of the expectations are being kept with it to be helpful in dealing with many issues whilst saving, costs, resources, efforts and so. It must also be understood that future time will be more challenging and economical, environmental difficulties will be stronger and greater in number, so in order to respond them effectively, the method and concepts of the smart grid be employed.
The energy demands are increasing and other global issues like climate are also getting severe and there seems only one possible solution to these issues is associated with energy. So, by employing smart grid the energy will be cheaper, environmental impacts are less severe, resources will be less consumed and there will be overall positive impacts of a smart grid. Also, There are talks in Uk that by 2020 all houses will have smart grids which shows how much of a positive effect it has had and how useful it has been. “There is no doubt that the future belongs to the Smart grid and that the power generation will change significantly by the time it becomes reality.”