As the demand
for energy increases steadily, it can no longer be met by constructing more
fossil fuel power stations, owing to their pollution and contribution to global
warming. Thus, renewable energy is used in its place – but it is an
unpredictable, distributed, resource that must be managed within a smart grid
infrastructure.
The energy
market is a highly dynamic place, with several influential factors of change.
Some of these are leading to the end of traditional grids, while others are
facilitating the smart grids that are changing them. If one looks at both sets
of factors, one will see why smart grids are necessary, as well as how they can
progress the access to and use electrical energy. In the present world, it is
not possible to think of a day without electricity. It has become an important
commodity that powers up the living in a way that no other resource does.
Massoud Amin says smart grids
are a contemporary form of conventional power grids that presents smoother and
competent power supply. It uses a 2-way dialogue system that enables utility
companies to monitor electricity consumption easily and thus manage the
electricity requirements of the end customers.
Smart Grids are
the application of IoT that permits utilities and its clients to exchange
information and electricity. It is a network of computers, communications, automation,
controls, and other new technologies that are working together to make energy
production and distribution more competent, dependable, greener, and safer.
These grids
permit to and fro data sharing between distribution centers, power generation
companies, and end consumers. This two-way interaction facilitates the flow of even
and nonstop flow of electricity in an efficient and lucrative manner. Professor Massoud Amin talks about are some
advantages that smart grid offers in energy distribution:
- Smart grids have allowed the engagement of end customers to
keep up with continuously changing power demands. Utility providers need
to switch off/on the stand-in power plants to manage the electricity load
at peak hours. Electricity is expensive during these periods as stand-in
plants are often less competent than the key source of power. This cost
can even be reduced further if the end consumers can postpone using their
heavy appliances during peak hours. To decrease energy wastage, the amount
of energy produced at the power plants should equal the energy used by the
end customers. With real-time monitoring, the utilities can evaluate the
load at the system and thus adjust the production of electricity
accordingly.
- The smart grids can shift the flow of energy as well from one
power generation source to another. For instance, in case of a clear sunny
day, solar farms can be used to manage maximum energy necessities, while
at night the smart grids will transport the flow of energy to power
plants.
Dr. Massoud Amin further
states that Smart Grids can identify the problems automatically and reroute the
energy supply to these localities. With the data gathered from its clients, the
utilities can use the distribution intelligence to forecast and administer
electricity usage and further decrease production costs.
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