Introduction to the Smart Grid: Concepts, Technologies and Evolution
In recent years it has become increasingly apparent that conventional electrical networks cannot meet the requirements of the 21st century. These include reliability, efficiency, liberalisation of electricity markets, as well as effective and seamless integration of various types of renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, and customers as players. The emergence of new technologies such as distributed control, monitoring devices, and tremendous advances in information and communication technology have paved the way to realize the Smart Grid concept. This book identifies and discusses the tools required to ensure the interoperability among the various digitally-based components of the Smart Grid. Topics covered include an introduction to the smart grid concept; smart grid versus conventional electric networks; smart grid infrastructure; interoperability standards; communication system and its cyber security; international standard IEC 61850 and its application to smart grids; power system protection under smart grid environment; application of smart grid concept to distribution networks; integration of electric vehicles; energy storage systems; and the smart transmission grid. Introduction to the Smart Grid: Concepts, Technologies and Evolution is essential reading for researchers, engineers and advanced students working in energy engineering.
Inspec keywords: distribution networks; battery storage plants; power system protection; smart power grids
Other keywords: power system protection; distribution networks; energy storage systems; smart grid
Subjects: Other power stations and plants; General electrical engineering topics; Power networks and systems
- Book DOI: 10.1049/PBPO094E
- Chapter DOI: 10.1049/PBPO094E
- ISBN: 9781785611193
- e-ISBN: 9781785611209
- Page count: 260
- Format: PDF
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Front Matter
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1 Introduction to the Smart Grid concept
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In this chapter, the concept of Smart Grids is introduced. The background of this concept is covered in Section 1.1. This is followed by an extensive literature survey of the definition of the “Smart Grid”which is given in Section 1.2. A comprehensive definition of the Smart Grid may read: A smart grid is an electricity network that uses digital and other advanced technologies, such as cyber-secure communication technologies, automated and computer control systems, in an integrated fashion to be able to monitor and intelligently and securely manage the transport of electricity from all generation sources both traditional and renewable to economically meet the varying electricity demands of end-users. The characteristics of the Smart Grid as reported by important players in this field are discussed in Section 1.3. The identified Smart Grid's characteristics depend on the approach used by different organizations/authors. The widely adopted approaches for identifying Smart Grid characteristics are based on (i) functionality approach and (ii) broad approach. The benefits of Smart Grids as reported in literature are covered in Section 1.4. This includes technical benefits, environment benefits, and electricity marketing benefits. Section 1.5 is devoted to the Smart Grid vision and its realization. Two types of Smart Grid visions have been identified in literature; an overall vision and a relatively detailed vision developed by the IEEE Computer Society. In this context, the definition of Smart Grid vision, based on the vision of the grid in 2030 that has been developed by the Department of Energy in the USA, has been adopted. Finally, examples of Smart Grid projects considered/executed in different parts of the world, including Europe, the USA, and China are outlined in Section 1.6.
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2 Smart Grid versus conventional electrical networks
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The aim of this chapter is to give the reader a comparison between conventional electrical networks and future Smart Grid. The infrastructure of conventional electrical networks will be reviewed followed by highlighting their main characteristics. The motives behind modernizing conventional electrical networks which led to the development of the Smart Grid concept will be discussed. This is followed by discussing evolution of the Smart Grid concept. Finally, the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), which is considered as the fundamental and first step to the overall modernization of conventional electrical networks, will be covered.
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3 Smart Grid infrastructure
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In this chapter, the compositions of the Smart Grid and the basis on which such compositions are defined have been discussed. This include (i) composition of Smart Grid based on standards adaptation, (ii) composition of Smart Grid based on technical components' perspective, (iii) composition of Smart Grid based on technical perspective, and (iv) composition of Smart Grid based on conceptual perspective. They are covered under Sections 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, and 3.2.4 respectively. Identification of the basic components of the Smart Grid that are currently in use are then covered under Section 3.3.1. It has been recognized that new components are continued to be developed as the Smart Grid evolves. Finally, a basic technical infrastructure of the Smart Grid has been covered under Section 3.3.2. Such infrastructure consists basically of (i) an electrical power system, (ii) communication and information system, (iii) intelligent protection, automation, and distributed control system, and (iv) marketing system.
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4 Smart Grid interoperability standards
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The only way to achieve interoperability requirements among the various components of the Smart Grid is through the use of internationally recognized communication and interface standards. It is expected that Smart Grid standards will cover the entire grid. This means there is a need for two types of standards, these are: (i) interoperability standards (top down) and (ii) building block standards (bottom up). However, this chapter will address the issues related to interoperability standards as applied to the Smart Grid.
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5 Smart Grid communication system and its cyber security
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This chapter is devoted to Smart Grid communication system and its cyber security. A classification of power system communication (PSC) systems according to their requirements is given in Section 5.2. They are classified into (i) real-time operational communication systems, (ii) administrative operational communication systems, and (iii) administrative communication systems. This is followed by discussing the existing electric power system communication infrastructure and highlighting its limitation in Section 5.3. In particular the following have been covered: (i) overview of current PSC systems and their characteristics, (ii) shortcomings of current PSC systems, and (iii) characteristics of future PSC systems that suit Smart Grid requirements. Smart Grid communication system infrastructure was then discussed under Section 5.4. The topics discussed in this section include (i) fundamental functions of the Smart Grid communication infrastructure, (ii) architecture of Smart Grid communication infrastructure, (iii) Smart Grid communication infrastructure challenges, and (iv) standardization efforts by industry. Finally, in Section 5.5 cyber security of power systems/Smart Grid was then discussed. It begins with giving definition of cyber infrastructure and cyber security. This is then followed by discussing security of power systems and cyberattacks. The Smart Grid cyber security was then discussed, which covered (i) Smart Grid cyber-security challenges, (ii) emerging Smart Grid cyber-security technologies, (iii) compliance versus security, and (iv) Smart Grid cyber-security standards.
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6 International standard IEC 61850 and its application to Smart Grid
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The aim of this chapter is to give an overview of the international standards IEC 61850 that deals with the communication networks and systems in substations. It should be pointed out that it is not intended to give a rigor treatment of this subject but to highlight its relevance to the development of the Smart Grid concept and to discuss its application to Smart Grid.
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7 Power system protection under Smart Grid environment
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This chapter begins with reviewing protection of power system prior to the Smart Grid era and then proceeds to discuss power system protection under Smart Grid environment highlighting the expected benefits. The operating concepts of Smart Grid protection relays will then be explained followed by discussing intelligent fault circuit indicators (FCIs) for Smart Grid applications. Communication infrastructure that suits protection requirements will then be discussed. The architecture of Smart Grid protection system (SGPS) will be discussed highlighting the application of multiagent technology and the relationship between multiagent systems and IEC 61850. This will be further explained by using examples on development of smart adaptive protection systems for microgrids and smart distribution networks (DNs). Finally, the chapter will be concluded by presenting protection system architecture based on IEC 61850.
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8 Application of Smart Grid concept to distribution networks
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An overview of the application of Smart Grid concept to distribution networks is covered in this chapter. It begins by outlining the main differences between conventional distribution networks and their counterpart smart distribution networks in Section 8.2. This is followed by explaining as why distribution networks are needed to be smart in Section 8.3. The basic building blocks from which a smart distribution network consists of are then covered under Section 8.4. Finally, the evolvement of conventional distribution networks into smart distribution networks is discussed in Section 8.5. In this context and in order to achieve this objective two EU projects namely, FENIX and ADDRESS have been initiated which are briefly covered respectively in Sections 8.5.1 and 8.5.2. In FENIX project the concept of a VPP has been introduced as way forward to ensure the flexibility of distribution networks with regard to the integration of DER/RES units. The aim of ADDRESS project is to develop a comprehensive commercial and technical framework suitable for the development of “Active Demand”and to exploit its market-based benefits.
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9 Smart Grid enables the integration of electric vehicles
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This chapter is devoted to discussing how the integration of electric vehicles is enabled by the Smart Grid. It started by highlighting the benefits gained from the electrification of transportation and the factors that drive toward transportation electrification. The challenges to EV adoption faced by both customers and utilities are then discussed. This is followed by discussing the types of EV charging stations, which is also known as EV supply equipment (EVSE). Smart charging enabled by Smart Grid is then covered. The load management of EVs using SmartGrid technologies was then discussed. Under this title, several topics were covered including (i) the difference EVs make to electricity load, (ii) optimizing EV charging scheduling using Smart-Grid technologies, (iii) using EVs to meet peak load, and (iv) management of intermittent renewable energy-based generation using EVs and effect of regulation, electricity pricing business models for EVs charging stations on load management of EVs. This is followed by discussing the flexibility of electric vehicles and their integration into Smart Grid, whereby the definition of flexibility in relation to EV was introduced followed by discussing the components related to EV-Smart-Grid integration and then the management of the flexibility provided by EV-stored energy was covered. Finally, automatic charging scheduling of multiple PEV to be connected to a Smart Grid using real-time smart load management (RL-SLM) algorithm was discussed. Among other things covered under this title include (i) the basic components of the RL-SLM algorithm, outlining the formulation of the optimization algorithm used to minimize generation and losses during PEVs charging and (ii) automation of scheduling PEVs charging using the RT-SLM algorithm, whereby the operating principles of the RT-SLM algorithm and its implementation were explained.
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10 Smart Grid and energy storage systems
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Historically, electrical energy storage (EES) systems have played three important roles [1]: (i) they reduce electricity costs by storing electricity obtained during offpeak load at which the electricity price is low, to be used during peak load times instead of buying electricity whose prices then are high; (ii) they are used to improve the reliability of the power supply, whereby EES systems support users when, for example, an electrical network is subjected to disruption due to natural disasters; and (iii) they maintain and improve power quality, frequency, and voltage.
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11 Smart transmission grid
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In this context, the term “Smart Transmission Grid”is a collective term that includes the physical network as well as the controls and devices supporting the function of the physical network [2]. This makes the work related to STG fall in line with the ongoing Smart Grid initiative. This chapter will be dedicated to discuss research activities currently underway, particularly in Europe and the USA, aiming at the development of STG. STG is considered as an integrated system that consists of three interactive smart components. These are smart control centers, smart transmission networks, and smart substations [2].
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Back Matter
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