A survey on smart grid technologies and applications

Smart grid technologies can be defined as self-sufficient systems that can find solutions to problems quickly in an available system that reduces the workforce and targets sustainable, reliable, safe and quality electricity to all consumers. In this respect, different technological applications can be seen from the perspective of researchers and investors. Even though these technological application studies constitute an initial step for the structure of the smart grid, they have not been fully completed in many countries. Associations of initial studies for the next step in smart grid applications will provide an economic benefit for the authorities in the long term, and will help to establish standards to be compatible with every application so that all smart grid applications can be coordinated under the control of the same authorities. In this study, a review has been made of technological methods of data transmission and the energy efficiency in smart grids as well as smart grid applications. Therefore, this study is expected to be an important guiding source for researchers and engineers studying the smart grid. It also helps transmission and distribution system operators to follow the right path as they are transforming their classical grids to smart grids.

Smart grid technologies and applications

Smart grid can be defined as self-sufficient systems, which allows integration of any type and any scale generation sources to the grid that reduces the workforce targeting sustainable, reliable, safe and quality electricity to all consumers. Associations of initial studies for the next step in smart grid applications will provide an economical benefit for the authorities in the long term, and will help to establish standards to be compatible with every application. So that all smart grid applications can be coordinated under the control of same authorities. Even though these technological application studies constitute an initial step for the structure of the smart grid, they have not been fully accomplished in many countries. In this study, the introduction to smart grids is given as an overview.

Introduction to smart grid

Traditional low voltage grids are equipped with meters for the accounting of the energy consumed by customers. Recently, the use of electronic meters offers the possibility of the remote reading. This paper deals with smart sensing: a second-generation Smart Meters replacing traditional metering device, and the first generation of electronic meters, in order to extract a richer and near real-time information. This information in then transferred on a fast communication network where is needed. In other words, the Smart Meters deployed over the distribution grid create a Sensor Network used for grid control and management. The intelligent unit employed in the proposed system is able to communicate using standard metering protocols like DLMS/COSEM, allowing high-level integration with systems that use this information for both billing and customer relationship management — as is today with Automatic Meter Management systems — and for the technical management of the LV power infrastructure like Distribution Management Systems. The paper presents a pilot installation in a real grid of the smart sensor network composed about 50 new-generation Smart Meters using fast — broad-band — communication. The network of Smart Meters has been used to monitor, during a measurement campaign of two months, the Power Quality of a part of the distribution grid. During the campaign, the grid voltage is below the 5 % of the nominal value only for the 3 % of the time, despite the large presence of distributed renewable resources.

Smart meters as part of a sensor network for monitoring the low voltage grid

Network selection criterion for ubiquitous communication provisioning in smart cities for smart energy system

Major components of smart metering infrastructure are smart meter, communication network, meter data collection system and meter data management system. Smart meter measures energy usage at different time intervals and transmit measured data to utility through communications technology networks. This infrastructure shall provide a reliable, efficient and secure power supply to the consumers and reduce the cost of electricity. In this paper, we review smart metering infrastructure model, smart metering infrastructure communication network options and outline smart metering infrastructure challenges.

Communication technologies for smart metering infrastructure

India has the 3rd largest Electricity transmission and distribution network in the world. However, India faces a number of challenges like inadequate access to electricity, supply shortfalls, huge network losses, poor quality, reliability and theft. Smart Grid would address these issues and transform the existing grid into a more efficient and reliable one that would help in providing electricity access to all. The smart metering infrastructure is a major component of smart grid and this will enhance efficiency and reliability through use of smart/advance sensors, modern communication infrastructure, metering technologies, and energy management solutions for current electric power system. In India, government has taken up initiative for reforming distribution system. This paper discusses the ongoing initiative taken up by government and roadmap for smart metering deployment for Indian smart grid.

Roadmap for smart metering deployment for Indian smart grid

Smart metering is a major component of smart grid. Smart metering infrastructure uses two way communication networks that include smart meters, intelligent sensors, smart appliances and energy management techniques. This infrastructure shall provide a reliable, efficient and secure power supply to the consumers and reduce the cost of electricity. In this paper, we review various smart metering network technologies and outline the smart metering infrastructure challenges in the Indian context.

V. Arunachalam

Papers

Communication technologies for smart metering infrastructure

Roadmap for smart metering deployment for Indian smart grid

Communication technologies for smart metering in India