Upgrade to Smart Grids
Written By: Khawja LabibIntroduction
With the growing energy needs in the world, we need to use creative ways to attain energy and distribute it efficiently. This is where Smart Grids come into play. Smart grids send energy to your house based on factors and parameters that determine the best distribution. For our goal of reaching net-zero emissions, we will learn how renewable energy sources can be combined with smart grids to achieve optimum results.
A Short Summary of “The Grid”
The first power distribution system built was known as the Edison Electric Light in the 1800s; this system used DC [1]. The problem with Thomas Edison’s DC system was that it could not travel very far, so very soon AC systems became their competition [1]. AC systems' advantage was that they could travel long distances, meaning a lot more people could use the electricity [1]. This is how the power grid started.
There are three steps to get electricity from the grid to your home. First, electricity is generated in the generation facility, which can include anything from renewable to non-renewable sources [2]. Then it is converted to very high voltages with step-up transformers to be transmitted over long distances in transmission lines [2]. Finally, the high-voltage electricity is converted to lower voltage by step-down transformers in your local distribution networks [2].
Smart Grids
Now you might ask, “What makes Smart Grids ‘Smart’?”. As you read in the previous section, traditional power grids receive little information about the needs and requirements of the end-user (i.e., households and businesses). So, a smart grid would allow two-way communication between the generation plant and the end-user and would use sensors along the transmission lines to react to changes in electricity demand [3]. With features such as “Smart Meters,” this allow the user to have control over their electricity usage, and on a grander scale, this should decrease the wastage of energy [3].
Some other benefits of this idea are more efficient transmission of electricity, lower operation costs for generation, resulting in lower costs for users, better security, and integration of renewable energy systems [3]. The last point is very important, which I will discuss in the next section.
Renewable Energy in Smart Grids
Critics of renewable energy claim that sources like wind and solar are too unpredictable to be implemented as a replacement for fossil fuel-based sources. This claim can be refuted with the example of Germany’s use of renewable energy. The reliability of grids can be quantified with the average power outage duration experienced by a user per year [4]. In Germany, almost half the country is supplied electricity from renewable energy sources, and the average power outage duration in Germany was 0.25 hours in 2020 [4]. The USA provides around 20% of electricity from renewable sources and has an average power outage duration of 1.28 hours in 2020 [4]. Comparing these values, you can see there is a massive difference, and maybe renewable energy sources can be used to generate electricity reliably if the right infrastructure is built. The interesting part is that the components in existing grids in North America are reaching the time to be replaced, so now could be a good time to upgrade these components to support smart grid infrastructure while also integrating components needed for a large-scale renewable energy system [5]. So combining the efficiency of smart grids and the reductions of CO2 emissions from clean energy, we can achieve a very strong and sustainable energy system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, smart grids offer a transformative solution for meeting global energy needs efficiently by integrating renewable sources. Empowering end-users through two-way communication and sensor technology, smart grids enhance control, ensure efficient electricity transmission, cut costs, improve security, and seamlessly integrate renewables. Germany's success in supplying nearly half its electricity from renewables challenges doubts about reliability. As North America's grid components near replacement, the strategic move to smart grid infrastructure aligns with the shift to large-scale renewable energy, creating a resilient and sustainable energy landscape. Now is the time to invest in these innovative solutions to address 21st-century energy challenges.
References
[1] “A Brief History Of The Power Grid | PEAK Substation Services.” Accessed: Dec. 02, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://peaksubstation.com/a-brief-history-of-the-power-grid/
[2] “What is the grid? Explaining a modern engineering marvel - Enbridge Inc.” Accessed: Dec. 02, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.enbridge.com/energy-matters/energy-school/grid-101
[3] “Smart Grid: The Smart Grid | SmartGrid.gov.” Accessed: Dec. 02, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_grid/smart_grid.html
[4] “Three Myths About Renewable Energy and the Grid, Debunked - Yale E360.” Accessed: Dec. 02, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://e360.yale.edu/features/three-myths-about-renewable-energy-and-the-grid-debunked
[5] K. A. Khan, M. M. Quamar, F. H. Al-Qahtani, M. Asif, M. Alqahtani, and M. Khalid, “Smart grid infrastructure and renewable energy deployment: A conceptual review of Saudi Arabia,” Energy Strategy Reviews, vol. 50, p. 101247, Nov. 2023, doi: 10.1016/J.ESR.2023.101247.
Cover Photo by Fré Sonneveld on Unsplash