Introduction to smart grid technology and its application in power systems

Facing the situation of energy shortage, sustainable development is the mainstream of today's social development, so in terms of power technology, modern society has higher requirements for power technology: high efficiency, clean power and zero emissions.

New power technologies are promising on the market, and smart grid technology is adapting to the needs of today's market developments. This article will describe in detail the development and future of smart grid technology.

1. What is smart grid technology

Smart grid technology refers to a fully automated power supply network. Each of these users and nodes is monitored in real time and ensures a two-way flow of the different between voltage vs current and information at every point from the plant to the consumer.

Through a wide range of applications, distributed intelligence and broadband communication, as well as the integration of automatic control systems, smart grid technology ensures real-time market transactions and seamless connection and real-time interaction between grid members.

2. What are the characteristics of smart grid technology

Although the construction of smart grid technology has different priorities and goals, the drivers of smart grid construction are based on market, safety, power quality and environmental factors. Its characteristics can be summarized as: self-healing, compatible, interactive, coordinated, efficient, high-quality, integrated.

3. What benefits can smart grid technology bring

● Power systems aspect

It can save the effective installed capacity of the system. Reduce the total cost of generating fuel for the system. Improve the utilization efficiency of power grid equipment and reduce construction investment. Improve grid transmission efficiency and reduce line loss.

● Electricity customers aspect

It can realize two-way interaction and provide convenient services. Improve the efficiency of terminal energy utilization and save electricity consumption. Improve the reliability of power supply and improve power quality.

● Energy conservation and the environment aspect

It can improve energy efficiency and bring energy saving and emission reduction benefits. Promote clean energy development and achieve alternative emission reduction benefits. Improve the overall utilization rate of land resources and save land occupation.

● Other aspects

It can promote economic development and employment. Ensure the security of the energy supply. Transform coal transmission into power transmission, improve the efficiency of power conversion system, and reduce transportation pressure.

4. Where the role of smart grid technology is embodied

● Grid consumption is open

For users, electricity consumption has become the same as mobile phone bills, optional consumption. Users can choose different options to purchase electricity and choose electricity consumption. Users can ask at any time if the electricity price is high during peak hours.

The price of electricity during low valley hours is cheap, so cooperate with intelligent electrical appliances to set or remote control and choose to use electricity during the period of low electricity prices. To do this, a two-way real-time communication system (network channel) established by the power company and the user is required.

Utilities can be transparent by notifying users in real time of the cost of their electricity consumption, real-time electricity prices, grid conditions, planned outages, and other services. At the same time, users can also develop appropriate power plans based on this information.

● Smart device connectivity and control

Intelligent terminals and home energy storage such as smart home appliances and intelligent control equipment will occupy a very important position in smart grid technology. Through the electrical application installed on the mobile phone, you can remotely control electric water heaters, air conditioners, refrigerators, electric kettles and other electrical appliances.

● Measurement upgrades

In the era of smart grid technology, the time between collection will be greatly reduced. Today's common smart meters may take 15 minutes to collect data, while in an ideal smart grid, the interval between data collection can be as short as 1 second, or even less.

Similarly, the transmission grid will be updated in real time, and the refresh rate will reach at least once per second. Such an accurate amount of data will greatly improve the reliability of the power grid, and can also effectively predict faults and quickly adjust.

5. The key to smart grid technology

● Grid data visualization

In smart grid technology, through the analysis of data including dispatching, transmission and distribution, power generation and user information, and real-time visual computing and analysis through software, every detail of the state of operation of the power grid can be fully displayed. Provide supporting decision-making support and evidence.

● Grid load trend forecasting

Not only that, analyzing historical and real-time grid load data and displaying real-time load status can predict grid load trends. And through comprehensive management, improve equipment utilization rate, reduce power loss, and make the operation of the power grid more economical and efficient.

● Equipment failure trend prediction

Analyze the correlation between fault types, historical states, and operating parameters of faulty equipment in the grid. Predicting the occurrence of power grid faults and assessing the risks of power grid operation can achieve real-time early warning, so that technicians can do equipment maintenance and inspection work in advance.

● Self-healing grid

In smart grid technology, faulty devices in the power grid are isolated from the grid system at the fastest speed. And in a state of almost automation, the system recovers itself to a normal operating state, so as to achieve almost no interruption of the power supply service to the user.

Combined with the above two predictions, the grid system can continuously self-predict and take immediate measures to control or correct existing or potential faults when they are detected.

● Secondary devices communicate independently

In the existing grid system, the communication of secondary devices is often achieved through buses and special communication equipment. This device is called the total control unit (also known as RTU) in internal terms.

In smart grid technology, secondary devices such as monitoring and protection will be equipped with adaptive and self-interactive information modules that can adaptively communicate with each other. This flexibility and adaptability will greatly improve reliability. In this way, even if some systems fail, other devices can still work stably.

6. The role of smart grid technology in power systems

Some new power grid construction and operation occur overload and long-term load in a relatively short period of time, and some construction is difficult. For various reasons, the quality of power grid construction projects cannot be guaranteed or there are large safety hazards.

In addition, the interconnection transmission capacity is poor, and capacity of the power grid to assist each other and compensate for cross-basins between regions is also poor. For the above reasons, it is difficult to meet the demand for large capacity, long distance transmission of electricity. Therefore, grid planning and smart grid technology in the power system are very important.

Smart grid technology enables intelligent, optimized scheduling, effective management, and the lowest cost to deliver functionality that meets expectations. Among them, the biggest advantage of smart grids is that they can use new, clean and renewable resources for intermittent power generation, thus protecting the environment and reducing resource loss. To summarize the role of smart grid technology in power system planning, there are three points:

• Greater attention needs to be paid to the development of strategic resource plans.
• Pay attention to the characteristics of the user side.
• More attention needs to be paid to the dynamic operating characteristics of the power grid.

7. Conclusion

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