How far are we from truly efficient energy management?
Smart Grid
Opening a new era of smart energy
Smart grid technology was proposed as early as the beginning of this century , but how far are we from truly efficient energy management?
For the past three decades, engineers and policymakers have been working together to create a more efficient, secure electric grid with fewer power outages for consumers. Achieving this vision requires interoperability among many different systems and devices.
Power grid
Digitalization and intelligent control can reduce CO2 emissions from buildings, which is expected to fall by 350 million tons by 2050.
Data source: IEA
Advantages and obstacles
Modernizing energy infrastructure is no easy task. Innovation comes with great challenges as we advance smart grid technology. Here are some things engineers should consider when designing innovative solutions.
Advantages
Flexible customization
Reliability and
Resilience
Harnessing renewable energy
Improving grid efficiency can reduce costs for utilities and consumers and promote the adoption of customizable energy technologies to meet different user needs.
Real-time monitoring of energy flows enables smart grid automation, a capability that requires powerful, precisely engineered technology.
Smart grids can promote a dynamic balance between renewable energy supply and demand, ensure efficient transmission of energy to areas of high demand, and minimize storage losses.
Obstacles
Technology Integration
Compliance and adoption
Cybersecurity
Designing smart grid products requires integrating various technologies, protocols and standards into interoperable solutions, a process that requires extensive testing and investment.
Changing energy policies and stringent reliability standards increase development and implementation costs and may delay the entry of smart grid solutions into the market.
To protect the integrity of the smart grid, security measures such as encryption, authentication, and real-time threat detection must be implemented.
Driving market development
Driven by the increasing global demand for cheap energy, growing awareness of carbon footprint management and the rise of renewable energy, smart grid investments are expected to reach approximately $185 billion by 2029.
Data source: Markets & Markets
Power grid accessories
Durability and flexibility of the hardware are critical to ensuring proper communication and efficient energy flow throughout the grid.
The adoption of network hardware is growing rapidly as more devices are needed to capture data from consumers and utilities. Engineering innovation is gaining ground in several areas:
⬆️ Smart Meter
Batteries and other energy storage technologies can store excess energy generated during low-demand periods for use during peak demand periods, thereby improving the stability and efficiency of the power grid.
⬆️ Advanced Sensors
Monitor the performance and condition of power lines, transformers, and other critical grid infrastructure to detect faults, optimize maintenance, and prevent outages.
⬆️ Phase measurement device
PMUs measure the flow of electrical waves, providing real-time data on the health of the grid, measuring resilience, and enhancing the grid’s ability to integrate or remove additional energy harvesting sources.
⬆️Energy storage system
Batteries and other energy storage technologies can store excess energy generated during low-demand periods for use during peak demand periods, thereby improving the stability and efficiency of the power grid.
Sustainable power systems
Charting a new energy landscape for the future
Although smart grid technology has not yet reached its full integration potential , we can see it being used across industries in applications such as automobiles, home networks and microgrids.
Charging infrastructure with advanced electronics enables seamless AC/DC conversion for bidirectional energy flow and uses high-efficiency inverters and converters with low harmonic distortion that leverage silicon carbide (SiC) or gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors for superior performance and comply with IEEE 1547 and UL 1741 standards.
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) networks support the larger grid with this two-way energy flow. They draw power at the right time, reducing pressure on the grid during peak hours, and give power back when it is not needed, improving grid stability and efficiency. The system enables electric vehicles to act as mobile energy storage, helping to build a more balanced and resilient energy infrastructure.
Vehicle-to-home (V2H) networks enable electric vehicles (EVs) to power homes through bidirectional chargers and home energy management systems (HEMS). Bidirectional chargers convert DC power from EV batteries into AC power to power homes during grid outages or peak demand periods, under the management of energy management controllers. The main components of the system include smart meters, inverters, and load management systems within home distribution boards to ensure seamless integration with the grid.
Efficient inverters and optimized charging algorithms address challenges such as power conversion efficiency and battery degradation. Regulatory compliance and smart grid compatibility ensure safety and reliability, and support functions such as emergency backup, cost savings through peak load shifting, and grid stability.
A microgrid is a localized energy system that can operate independently or connected to the main grid, with localized power generation, storage and distribution capabilities. It typically includes renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines, as well as batteries or other energy storage technologies. Microgrids are managed by advanced control systems that optimize energy use, balance supply and demand, and ensure reliability.
Microgrids can withstand grid outages, reduce reliance on centralized power sources, and support the integration of clean energy solutions at the community or facility level. For example, a university campus could use a microgrid to integrate solar panels and battery storage, allowing it to continue operating during a grid outage while reducing its carbon footprint.
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