Definition
Basic
The electric power grid can be defined as the entire apparatus of wires and machines that connects the sources of electricity (i.e., the power plants) with customers and their myriad needs.
A Smart Grid is an electricity network that can cost efficiently integrate the behaviour and actions of all users connected to it – generators, consumers and those that do both – in order to ensure economically efficient, sustainable power system with low losses and high levels of quality and security of supply and safety.
A Smart Grid employs innovative products and services together with intelligent monitoring, control, communication, and self-healing technologies in order to:
a. Better facilitate the connection and operation of generators of all sizes and technologies.
b. Allow consumers to play a part in optimising the operation of the system.
c. Provide consumers with greater information and options for how they use their supply.
d. Significantly reduce the environmental impact of the whole electricity supply system.
e. Maintain or even improve the existing high levels of system reliability, quality and security of supply.
f. Maintain and improve the existing services efficiently.
g. Foster market integration towards European integrated market.
Commodification
Power plants convert a primary form of energy, such as the chemical energy stored in coal, the radiant energy in sunlight, the pressure of wind, or the energy stored at the core of uranium atoms, into electricity, which is no more than a temporary, flexible, and portable form of energy. It is important to remember that electricity is not a fuel: it is an energy carrier.
At the end of the grid, at factories and homes, electricity is transformed back into useful forms of energy or activity, such as heat, light, information processing, or torque for motors.
Additional
Smart grid technologies, including communication networks, advanced sensors, and monitoring devices, form the foundation of new ways for utilities to generate and deliver power and for consumers to understand and control their electricity consumption.
History
Origin
The modern electric utility industry began in the 1880s. It evolved from gas and electric carbon-arc commercial and street lighting systems. On September 4, 1882, the first commercial power station, located on Pearl Street in lower Manhattan, went into operation providing light and electricity power to customers in a one square mile area; the electric age had begun.
Popular Use
It was only the inventions of the illustrious engineer Nikola Tesla, mainly the AC generator which lead the way to the use of poly-phased transmission systems, which made the power grid popular. After those epochal inventions was only the desire of scientists all over the world to improve and optimize so that transmission of electricity through the grid to become more reliable and efficient. Nowadays, following the boom of power electronics and nano-technologies, we reached a high quality standard in power grids which can be described by the use of large, interconnected grids known as Smart grids.
Use
Primary
Power grids are used primarily for electricity transportation (in active power form) and have other special applications including powering electrical vehicles (trams, trolleys) and small applications in conjunction with electronics.
Production
Construction
The implementation of this concept will be made possible by the participation of all Smart Grid's actors, according to their specific roles and responsibilities. Accordingly, smart grid participants are categorized as follows:
a. Network operators: transmission and distribution system/network operators.
b. Grid users: generators, consumers (including mobile consumers), storage owners.
c. Other actors: suppliers, metering operators2, ESCOs, aggregators, applications and services providers, power exchange platform operators.
The core components of a power grid are the power lines which permit the transfer of electricity over large distances, and second are the transformers which converts among different voltage levels so that electricity it is ready to used for the desired end-user application. And last but not least is the grid automation which controls and balances the power grid to function in a normal state and to eliminate the faults that may occur.
Challenges
Mission
SmartGrids’ mission is to create a shared vision which enables Europe’s electricity grids to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century; fulfills the expectations of society; and strengthens the European business context for the electricity sector and its international opportunities.
Possibilities
Smart Grid
Though elements of smartness also exist in many parts of existing grids, the difference between a today’s grid and a smart grid of the future is mainly the grid’s capability to handle more complexity than today in an efficient and effective way.
Investment
Global investments required in the energy sector for 2003- 2030 are an estimated $16 trillion, according to the IEA. In Europe alone, some €500 billion worth of investment will be needed to upgrade the electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Key Countries
Countries with Big Power Equipment Production
(numbers not available)
1. Sweden
2. Germany
3. France
4. USA
5. Russia
Countries with the Biggest Power Systems
(numbers not available)
1. China
2. Brazil
3. USA
4. Russia
5. India
Key Companies
Key Power Grid Companies
1. ABB
2. SIEMENS
3. AREVA
4. ALSTOM
5. GENERAL ELECTRIC
Miscellaneous
Additional Information
The longest line that is to be completed is the HVDC transmission link from the Amazonas down to the São Paulo area (~2500km) which will be the second 600 kV HVDC transmission in Brazil, the Itaipu project built by ABB in the mid '80s being the first.
Transition to Globalisation
Trans-European Power Grid Needed
European countries must invest in new electricity grids to safeguard their power supplies, scientists have warned.
Globalisation > Economy > Energy > Distribution > Power Grids
Transition to Tools
Smart Grid
China's central leadership has prioritized the development of a highly intelligent nationwide power grid. In June 2009, the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), the state-owned and the largest electric power transmission and distribution company in the nation, announced that it was planning to build a nationwide "strong & smart" grid by 2020.
Tools >Institutions > National > China > Dom. Policies > Economy > Infrastructure
Transition to Actors
Business Plan Offers African Rural Utilities a New Model
A recent REEEP project that looked into building a business case for rural integrated energy service utilities in several African countries. The basic idea was to look at how a rural utility there could supply on-grid, off-grid and thermal energy needs.
Actors > Sectors > Civil society > NGOs > Economy
