What is Smart Grid?

Smart grid is an electrical grid which is used to develop network communication. It is a combination between Information Technology, Communication Technology, and Electrical Power System. In contrast with the traditional grid, smart grid uses two-way dialogue to develop communication between utilities and consumers. Also, the information can be exchanged to each other. We can say that Smart Grid is as an new upgrade for the original one.

 

 

How does it work? 

In the past, the traditional grid uses one-way power flow to deliver the energy power from the power plant to household. First, the transmission lines will carry electricity in a long distance from power plant to the distribution line. Then, those line will carry the electricity to households.

However, everything has changed now. We have a “smarter” grid which can make everything works easily.  Using solar pin and wind to create energy power. Then it will deliver in two-way power flow from power plant to home than come back. It can help consumers manage the electricity usage easily and quickly.

 

 

Advantages

High quality: the state can manage how much electricity usage of each household by the information they get in two-way communication.

Consumer satisfy: they don’t worry much about how much they have been charge because they can manage them from now.

 

Disadvantages

Expensive to rebuild: “cost much more than the $4.5 billion in federal funds” to rebuild the grid

Risk of privacy: hackers can control thousand of meters and demand of power. Also, they can get you information that your house and power station exchange to each other such as what is your address? How much power usage did your house use?

 

Conclusion

It is a great idea to improve and develop. Also, we need to work more to figure out what we can do to protect customers’ privacy. I hope that we will have more project like this to keep our planet greener.

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References: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwRTpWZReJk

http://www.slideshare.net/nldhage/smart-grid-introduction

https://electrical-systems-lighting.knoji.com/pros-and-cons-of-the-smart-grid/