C I R E D CIRED Seminar 2008: SmartGrids for Distribution Frankfurt, 23 - 24 June 2008 Paper No 9 CIRED Seminar 2008: SmartGrids for Distribution Paper No 9 Page 1 / 4 INTEGRATION IS KEY TO SMART GRID MANAGEMENT Javier Rodríguez Roncero Telvent – Spain [email protected] ABSTRACT Electric Utilities, in a reactive or proactive answer to the new challenges, are adding more intelligence and complexity in their distribution networks (“Smart Grids”). As the grid becomes more intelligent and more complex, the tools to operate it become increasingly important. To be useful, however, those tools must be fully integrated. INTRODUCTION The European Commission recently proposed a comprehensive package of measures to establish a new Energy Policy for Europe to combat climate change and boost the EU's energy security and competitiveness. The package of proposals set a series of ambitious targets on greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy and aim to create a true internal market for energy and strengthen effective regulation. The Commission believes that when an international agreement is reached on the post-2012 framework this should lead to a 30% cut in emissions from developed countries by 2020. To further underline its commitment the Commission proposes that the European Union commits now to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2020, in particular through energy measures. The electric regulatory framework is evolving, advised by the European Commission and the National Energy Regulators, as a boost to face, from an energy, economical and environmental perspective, the new challenges and objectives aiming a sustainable and secure supply. In this context, each country in Europe is developing and/or has developed new legislation that practically imposes the Electric Utilities an obligation to send accurate information regarding electric infrastructures, service quality and system performance, in order to carry out an efficient planning and tariff revision control. Electric Utilities, in a reactive or proactive answer to these new challenges, are adding more intelligence and complexity in their distribution networks (“Smart Grids”). As the grid becomes more intelligent and more complex, the tools to operate it become increasingly important. Today the focus centres on uninterrupted internal (decision support) and external (regulatory reports) information flows, advanced computational power, network security and reliable communication. To be useful, however, those tools must be fully integrated. SMART GRID CONCEPT Smart Grid is an up and coming business strategy within the electric utility industry. Regulators are driving the discussion around Smart Grid from the need to reduce consumption through energy efficiency and demand response. Utilities need to increase generation capacity to meet rising demand which is opposite of the regulatory direction. Generation plans are becoming a mix of nuclear, oil, gas, green power, demand response, and energy efficiency initiatives (utility and customer). The utilities also need to reduce operational costs while improving management of their existing T&D assets. Customers are being asked to bear the burden of increased rates, accept forced demand response, or take the initiative to voluntarily reduce their demand through the use of new efficient appliances, lighting, or installing smart home controls. What hides behind the concept of Smart Grids? There are many definitions available to explain what hides behind the concept of Smart Grids. Find enclosed a definition from DENISE Project1 “The Smart Grid integrates electricity and communications in an electric network that supports the new generation of interactive energy and communication services and supplies digital quality electricity for the final customer. In this sense, the electric network must be always available, live, interactive, interconnected and tightly coupled with the communications in a complex energy and information real time network.” Principal characteristics The principal characteristics of the Smart Grid include the following: • Self-healing. • Empowers and incorporates the consumer. • Tolerates security attacks. • Provides enhanced power quality. • Accommodates a wide variety of generation 1 DENISE Project (Distribución Energética Inteligente, Segura y Eficiente) is the main R&D Spanish initiative regarding Smart Grids. This national strategic consortium comprising 16 companies and 9 research organizations is in place to research and develop technologies and information systems applied to the Smart Grid. The project started in 2007 and lasts until 2010, managing a budget of 24 million euros. Authorized licensed use limited to: University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Downloaded on January 19, 2010 at 15:20 from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.C I R E D CIRED Seminar 2008: SmartGrids for Distribution Frankfurt, 23 - 24 June 2008 Paper No 9 CIRED Seminar 2008: SmartGrids for Distribution Paper No 9 Page 2 / 4 options. • Fully enables electricity markets. • Optimizes asset utilization and minimizes operations and maintenance expenses. Key technologies involved in Smart Grid The key technologies involved in Smart Grid include the following: • Integrated communications across the grid. • Advanced control methods. • Sensing, metering, and measurement. • Advanced grid components. • Decision support and human interfaces. Advanced control methods Computer-based algorithms that collect data from and monitor all essential grid components, analyze the data to diagnose and provide solutions from both deterministic and probabilistic perspectives, determine and take appropriate actions autonomously, provide information and solutions to human operators and integrate with enterprise-wide processes and technologies. These advanced control methodologies would support such applications as distributed energy resources and demand response dispatch, distribution automation and substation automation (IEC 61850), adaptive relaying, energy management, market pricing, grid modelling, operator displays and advanced visualization systems, to name a few. In addition, they would be integrated into asset management processes and technologies to further optimize grid operations and planning. Sensing, metering, and measurement New digital technologies using two-way communications, a
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