What is Smart Grid?

Before we get in to Smart Grid, we should know what is a grid? A grid, also known as the electric grid, is a network of transmission lines, substations, transformers and deliver electricity from the power plant to customers. easier way to understand is what you plug into when you flip on your light switch or turn on your computer. Current electric grid was built in the 1890s and improve as the technology growth. Early 19 Century people only need to power few light bubs and a radio in the house therefore the supply is more than demand. As the technology grow the demand of electricity has become much greater than it used to be therefore costumers need to communicate with the power plant to adjust usage of the electricity. A smart grid is an “intelligent” electricity distribution network that uses two-way communications connect between customers and the power plant, advanced sensors and controls, advanced meters, and customers will be able to reduce or increase energy use through computer, improve the efficiency and reliability of the electricity grid, facilitate the connection of distributed generation facilities to the system, and optimize the integration of renewable energy systems. Smart Grid also benefit users with energy control for their purpose, also gives them control when and how to use the electricity. This way people can save money and also it helps to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, especially in how it can facilitate the connection of large amounts of renewable energy.

What Smart Grid can do?

The Smart Grid beings many benefit to the communities. First it is more efficient transmission of electricity, because of the usage of electricity is different we can control the energy supply by ourselves therefore there will be no surplus or lack or energy and it will be more efficient. Second, it has quicker restoration of electricity after power disturbances. During bad weather there might be some interrupt transmission, but with smart grid it counters the interruption, once it detect where has power interrupt it will find another way round to transfer the energy. Third, people now can save moneys from the electric bill. Since we can manage the operating time and also the usage, we will be able to cut off the waste of electricity. Forth, with the previous benefit the power plant can reduce the peak demand, and it will also help to lower the electricity rate. Fifth, with this smart grid there will be increase integration of large-scale renewable energy system, such as having a hybrid vehicle.

Today, an electricity disruption such as a blackout can have a domino effect. This is a main threat in the winter, when homeowners can be left without heat. A smarter grid will add resiliency to our electric power system and make it better prepared to address emergencies such as severe storms. Because of its two-way interactive capacity, the Smart Grid will allow for automatic rerouting when equipment fails or outages occur. This will minimize outages and minimize the effects when they do happen. Also when a power outage occurs, Smart Grid technologies will detect and isolate the outages, containing them before they become large-scale blackouts. The new technologies will also help ensure that electricity recovery resumes quickly and strategically after an emergency—routing electricity to emergency services first, for example. In addition, the Smart Grid will take greater advantage of customer-owned power generators to produce power when it is not available from utilities.  The Smart Grid is not just about utilities and technologies; it is about giving you the information and tools you need to make choices about your energy use. In this case you will no longer have to wait for your monthly statement to know how much electricity you use. With a smarter grid, you can have a clear and timely picture of it. “Smart meters,” and other mechanisms, will allow you to see how much electricity you use, when you use it, and its cost. Combined with real-time pricing, this will allow you to save money by using less power when electricity is most expensive.

Now the US Smart Grid

This map shows us the US transmission grid.

California and Texas lead the U.S. in efforts to modernize their electrical grids with smart grid technologies, according to a newly developed index that evaluates and ranks states.

The Grid Modernization Index also know as GMI, created by GridWise Alliance and Smart Grid Policy Center, evaluates the progress of state grid modernization efforts in three categories: policy, customer engagement and grid operations. California and Texas, which tied for the highest overall score, are far ahead of other top-ranked states, such as Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Arizona. This chart shows us that the leading states are doing on the smart grid, this chart also helps us to recognized how the idea and technology is helping us and also helping the environment.

Smart Home

Adding devices that can communicate data in real-time about electricity use between utility and customer. For instance, smart meters will deliver signals from your energy provider that can help you cut your energy costs. Smart meters also provide utilities with greater information about how much electricity is being used throughout their service areas.

 

It is also expected to be an important enabler for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, two promising technologies that can help dramatically reduce oil consumption.

This energy information coming to and from your home through your smart meter can be run through a home energy management system (EMS), which will allow you to view it in an easy-to-understand format on your computer or hand-held device. A home EMS allows you to track your energy use in detail to better save energy. For instance, you can see the energy impact of various appliances and electronic products simply by monitoring your EMS while switching the devices on and off.

Impact

US Department of Energy (DOE) report warns about the massive direct and indirect impacts climate change is expected to have on the United States’ energy grid in the coming years. From a reporter: “Increasing temperatures, decreasing water availability, more intense storm events, and sea level rise will each independently, and in some cases in combination, affect the ability of the United States to produce and transmit electricity from fossil, nuclear, and existing and emerging renewable energy sources.” There are some unexpected impact will soon be the main concerned of this smart grid project. Last year, the Millstone Nuclear Power Station in Connecticut had to deactivate one reactor because the water it normally draws from the Long Island Sound for cooling was too warm, the report noted. Similar events took place at the Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey and the Limerick Generating Station in Pennsylvania in 2010. In another incident affecting the energy grid, lower precipitation levels in the Sierra Nevada last year reduced California’s hydroelectric power generation by 8 percent. In 2010, record-low water levels in Nevada’s Lake Mead resulted in a 23 percent loss in the Hoover Dam’s power generation.With this technology, this will not only benefit our lives by having the control for each individual but also making the climate changing even worst. The prediction of this project was to help the climate and also benefit users. The statistics shows that it is not going as we planted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.smartgrid.gov/ “Smartgrid.gov”

https://www.nationalgridus.com/energy/index.asp “National Grid”

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/chart-of-the-day-top-15-states-leading-us-smart-grid-deployment/24740 “Chart of the day: top 15 states leading US smart grid deployment” by Kirsten Korosec, July 22, 2013