Power lines stretching across the open landscape may become a notion of the past as smart grids take shape. That may be hard to believe considering these structures have stretched along roads and highways for longer than anyone can remember. However, renewable power requires a change in how energy is transmitted and consumed.As consumers take a more active role in their energy use through the use of smart meters, smart appliances, and similar devices, the new smart grid model will replace the conventional one that so many of us are accustomed to. The smart grid can accept power from numerous sources and share information with consumers. Conventionally power is merely transmitted from point A to point B without much consideration.Major companies in the United States are already using cities as proving grounds for smart grid technology but in the UK it may require political as well as technological innovation for the concept to take off. The old grid, designed back in the early 1960s, is on its way out. It has little to do with outdated technology as power transmission has been steadily upgraded over the years and more to do with the fundamental design of the power grid.The entire power grid is transforming from the point of generation to the point of consumption across all facets of the industry and including every type of consumer including residential, commercial, and industrial.The current power grid reflects the centralised power distribution system with the power plant located at the hub. The grid works to get chunks of electricity from the power plant to the consumers. Electricity starts its journey as the high voltage type which is used by industrial customers before it is downgraded to the familiar voltages used in homes.
Some of the changes to the power grid have already begun. Renewable energy sources are accounting for a larger and larger share of the aggregate power supply. That contribution level is expected to grow exponentially over the coming decades as EU Member States strive to meet lofty goals that call for 20 percent of the power supply to come from these sources by the year 2020.
Renewable power is generated much differently than the conventional methods. For one, the voltage is lower and a lesser amount is produced. Most importantly, renewable sources can’t be counted on to produce consistent amounts all the time. For these reasons it is necessary for the power grid to be transformed into a smart grid. Power transmission will move away from the one-way system into a multiple input system capable of accepting varying voltages from different locations at differing times.
It’s a big change for the industry but the consumer won’t notice the changes in the infrastructure. Consumers will notice the change as the smart meter takes a more active role in the home. By precisely displaying energy usage in real time consumers will be able to actively manage the usage of individual appliances. This information is also transmitted back to the utility company which allows the homeowner to be precisely billed – eliminating the need for estimated billing. The energy provider is able to learn from the information as well and will be able to more closely match the supply with demand.
The smart grid will also be needed for the anticipated surge of plug-in electric vehicles. Plug-in cars could reduce demand spikes by charging batteries only during off-peak times and could take on a secondary role as supplier to the grid when the wind isn’t blowing.
Central to the entire system is the smart meter installed in consumers’ homes. It is important that before any major rollout in the UK that standards are agreed upon. The UK Energy Network Association (ENA) is focused upon ensuring that smart meters are installed with the latest technology.
“We need to have a meter that can give us an indication of no supply, latent loads covered by microgeneration, voltage levels and power quality,” said Alan Claxton, director of the ENA. “And what we don’t want is a limited functionality that would require the replacement of a whole first generation of smart meters. We’re trying to look ahead – we need to make the system future-proof.”
Smart meters must also be capable of handling bi-directional communications. “There are a variety of options,” said Claxton. “It could piggy-back onto broadband Internet, for example. Another option might be a power line carrier, which works by modulating the frequency of the alternating current signal.”
Energy Network Association
6th Floor, Dean Bradley House
52 Horseferry Road
London SW1P 2AF
http://2009.energynetworks.org
Renewable power is generated much differently than the conventional methods. For one, the voltage is lower and a lesser amount is produced. Most importantly, renewable sources can’t be counted on to produce consistent amounts all the time. For these reasons it is necessary for the power grid to be transformed into a smart grid. Power transmission will move away from the one-way system into a multiple input system capable of accepting varying voltages from different locations at differing times.
It’s a big change for the industry but the consumer won’t notice the changes in the infrastructure. Consumers will notice the change as the smart meter takes a more active role in the home. By precisely displaying energy usage in real time consumers will be able to actively manage the usage of individual appliances. This information is also transmitted back to the utility company which allows the homeowner to be precisely billed – eliminating the need for estimated billing. The energy provider is able to learn from the information as well and will be able to more closely match the supply with demand.
The smart grid will also be needed for the anticipated surge of plug-in electric vehicles. Plug-in cars could reduce demand spikes by charging batteries only during off-peak times and could take on a secondary role as supplier to the grid when the wind isn’t blowing.
Central to the entire system is the smart meter installed in consumers’ homes. It is important that before any major rollout in the UK that standards are agreed upon. The UK Energy Network Association (ENA) is focused upon ensuring that smart meters are installed with the latest technology.
“We need to have a meter that can give us an indication of no supply, latent loads covered by microgeneration, voltage levels and power quality,” said Alan Claxton, director of the ENA. “And what we don’t want is a limited functionality that would require the replacement of a whole first generation of smart meters. We’re trying to look ahead – we need to make the system future-proof.”
Smart meters must also be capable of handling bi-directional communications. “There are a variety of options,” said Claxton. “It could piggy-back onto broadband Internet, for example. Another option might be a power line carrier, which works by modulating the frequency of the alternating current signal.”
Energy Network Association
6th Floor, Dean Bradley House
52 Horseferry Road
London SW1P 2AF
http://2009.energynetworks.org
