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2 1. Introduction
8 2 The different components and functions
of a smart grid
8 2.1 Integration of distributed renewable
energy sources
9 2.2 Distribution automation
10 2.3 Advanced metering infrastructure
11 2.4 Energy storage
11 2.5 Microgrids
12 2.6 Decentralized energy management system
and Virtual power plants
13 2.7 Demand response and Generation management
14 2.8 Electro mobility
1
1. Introduction
Electricity is the most versatile and reducing the amount of fossil sources in
widely used form of energy and is the world's energy mix.
available to more than five billion people There are plans to build new installations
worldwide. This is why the electricity within 2040 amounting to a capacity
industry is guiding the conversion of of some 7,200 GW so as to meet the
the global energy system and electricity growing demand for electricity and
is the final form of energy that shows replace the existing installations, which
the fastest growth. In addition, it's the will be decommissioned (about 40% of
industry that contributes the most to the current structures).
2
Renewables, which are of crucial importance in the global
energy scenario, are rapidly gaining ground, encouraged
by the increasing awareness of both public opinion and
Governments about climate changes. (Source IEA World
Energy Outlook 2014).
As an example, let's consider the strategy defined by the
EC for 2020 and 2030. Combating climate change is one of
the five main goals of the Europe 2020 global strategy for
intelligent and sustainable growth. Among other things, the
strategy aims to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions in
the EU are reduced by 20% by 2020, that 20% of energy
comes from renewable sources and that energy efficiency
increases by 20%.
In addition, the EU has set itself the mandatory target for the efficiency is a key component of the framework, an indicative
2020-2030 period, of reducing European greenhouse gas 27% energy saving goal for 2030 has also been approved
emissions within 2030 by at least 40% compared to the 1990 (Source: EC document: EU policies, Climate action ISBN
values. Since renewable energy is essential in this transition 978-92-79-41350-6).
towards a sustainable, safe and competive energy system, EU
leaders have agreed to raise the amount of renewables to at
least 27% of energy consumption. Lastly, given that energy
3
1. Introduction
Thanks to these policies, pursued not only by the EU but These sources will, in fact, contribute more than 7000
by all countries, the portion of renewables in the global terawatt/hours (TWh) between 2011 and 2035, equivalent to
generation mix will reach about 33% in 2040, according to around one-third of global electricity generation. Renewables
IEA (International Energy Agency). are already the world's second-largest source of electric
2011
40%
30%
20%
10%
USA
EU
China
World
USA
EU
China
World
USA
EU
China
EU = European Union.
Renewable energy share in total primary energy demand by category and region in the New Policies Scenario, 2011 and 2035
(source IEA, World Energy Outlook 2013)
4
power generation and will approach coal as the primary At worldwide level, wind power will provide a predominant
source before the end of the period, also thanks to the rapid contribution towards the increase in generation from
expansion of wind and solar PV. renewable sources (34%), followed by hydropower (30%) and
In terms of growth, this equals almost half the global power solar PV technologies. Since the shares of windpower and
generation increase forecast for 2040, which is estimated as solar PV in the global energy mix will increase four-fold, their
7,200 gigawatts (GW) additional capacity required to meet integration in both technical and market terms is becoming
the growing demand for electricity and replace the obsolete increasingly challenging. Two examples can give an idea of
installations. the scale of this issue: Wind turbines are expected to account
Obviously, the situation is not the same in all countries: the for 20% of total power generation in the European Union while
share of renewables in power generation is expected to solar PV will meet 37% of the peak summer demand in Japan.
increase in the majority of OECD countries, where it will reach
37% and absorb the entire net power production increase in
the area. However, power generation from renewable sources
GW
will increase more than double in non-OECD countries,
especially in China, India, Latin America and Africa 400 40%
300 30%
TWk
200 20%
2100
Aseam
1800 100 10%
Japan
Africa
1500
2012
2020
2035
2012
2020
2035
2012
2020
2035
2012
2020
2035
2012
2020
2035
1200 USA
Latin
America China USA EU China India Rest of
900 world
GW
Incremental electricity generation from renewables in selected regions, 200 80%
2011-2035 (source IEA, World Energy Outlook 2013)
150 60%
100 40%
50 20%
2012
2020
2035
2012
2020
2035
2012
2020
2035
2012
2020
2035
2012
2020
2035
5
1. Introduction
Now, if we call the energy not supplied by renewable sources Thus, if electricity consumption and the generation
but required to meet the energy demand "residual demand", decentralization level, mainly due to use of renewables, are
the more variable will be the residual demand and the more set to increase, the management problem can be technically
flexible the power plants must be, since they must not only resolved in two ways: by increasing the capacity of the
contribute towards meeting the demand but also make up existing grid (mainly the distribution network, thus medium
for the sudden lack of availability typical of certain renewable and low voltage cables and transformers) or by using the
sources. capacity of the existing grid in a more efficient, intelligent,
“Smart” way, i.e. by developing a Smart Grid. (Source: IEA,
World Energy Outlook 2014)
With PV at 25% of the With PV at 50% of the With PV at 100% of the In accordance with the vision and strategies promoted by the
peak demand peak demand peak demand
GW European Union, rather than being a product, Smart Grids
60 are a research and development project that demonstrates
50
the feasibility of a future European electricity supply network,
which must be:
40
– flexible, so as to meet customers' needs whilst responding
30 to the changes and challenges ahead
20
– accessible, granting connection access to all network
users, particularly for generation from renewable and/or
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high efficiency sources so as to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions
12AM
4AM
8AM
12PM
4PM
8PM
12AM
4AM
8AM
12PM
4PM
8PM
12AM
4AM
8AM
12PM
4PM
8PM
Liberalization Primary
energy availability
and quality
MA
TY
SU
Capacity
LY
efficiency
IN
6
Virtual power
Renewable
plant
energy sources
Advanced
metering
Microgrid Communication infrastructure
Demand
response
Electro
mobility
Energy storage
Distribution
automation
Thus the guidelines for smart grids in more operational terms the network. Improved flexibility in the distribution and
are: transmission of electric power is a must if fluctuations in
– increase the use of electric power power generation are to be reduced and efficiency increased.
– handle the increase in power produced from renewable Control and monitoring systems can help to prevent disservice
sources and by generation distributed over the area and outages. Use of all these intelligent technologies and
– handle the introduction of electric vehicles their interconnection via a communication system leads to the
– integrate the power storage systems smart grid in its most advanced concept.
– improve efficiency
– improve the energy market and demand management In a broader sense, the smart grid is not a single network but
capabilities a group of networks. The purpose is to link the structures
– enhance the reliability and quality of the supply of different electric power producers at various levels and,
– optimize the running costs and investments. through automatic coordination, enhance connectivity,
automation and coordination among suppliers, consumers
Technically speaking, smart grids must employ more and network so as to optimize power transmission and
advanced concepts as to network and component design so distribution.
as to achieve improved efficiency, safety and performance.
Energy storage technologies can provide a considerable The functions and solutions for smart grid components will be
contribution when it comes to integrating renewables into described in detail in the following chapters.
7
2. The different components and
functions of a smart grid
8
2.2 Distribution automation Distribution automation comprises the following tasks:
– real-time monitoring of the devices installed in the grid and
Automation of power distribution systems, or Distribution all sensors able to improve grid control
Automation (DA) is becoming more and more important as – use and control of active components, i.e. ones able
distributed power sources increase, the aim being to enhance to automatically deal with certain situations, such as
the quality and reliability of the medium and low voltage grid. transformers with automatic voltage regulators
The focus is mainly on the primary and secondary distribution – two-way communication between IEDs and control room
substations of the power grid owned and managed by the – integration of the devices into the information system of
public utility company, subject to increasing demands as to the public utility company so as to handle maintenance,
automation, control and protection. emergency repairs in the event of faults, enhanced
When it comes to automation, the main goal is monitoring customer management, etc.
the state of the grid and transmission of measured quantities. – management of distributed resources, generators and
This to upgrade the level of knowledge about the grid and loads.
its governability via remote monitoring of the IED (Intelligent
Electronic Devices) installed in the grid itself. This will allow
faults to be automatically detected and eliminated and
possibly to automatically or manually restore the electricity
supply in particularly critical situations.
9
2. The different components and
functions of a smart grid
Public utility companies are setting their sights on advanced relative communication system include:
metering infrastructure (AMI) to an increasingly greater – acquisition of electricity consumption data for the purpose
extent. The aim is to develop a system able to manage of pricing and managing customized contracts for special
the electricity demand, especially for passive and active users. For example, the power limit could be changed
residential users, these latter on the sharp increase thanks in the event of a new contract, more complex multi-hour
to the use of solar PV. The ultimate goal of telereading is to rates could be applied, or the load diagram of important
achieve dynamic management of user contracts and adopt customers could be recorded for the purpose of proposing
more complex but more advantageous multi-hour rates. All better terms
thanks to exchange of information between the public utility – certain users could be disconnected from the grid is this
company's information system and the user's smart meter. were overloaded (when consistent with the contract) or in
This reading and control combination could lead to new the case of non-payment
business management prospects for public utility companies, – different services (illumination, water, gas, district-heating,
which could offer new services and monitor the grid-bound etc.) could be offered and integrated
loads in a better way, thereby making electricity supply more – improved supervision to prevent theft of electricity and fraud
competitive on the free market. – automatic intervention in the case of faulty meters
The opportunities offered by the use of smart meters and the – minimized disservice thanks to acquisition of additional
information
– easy integration of new active users into the distribution
grid by remote reading of the power supplied.
10
2.4 Energy storage 2.5 Microgrids
Major investments in the research and development of energy A microgrid is a network that can operate in the islanded
storage systems are now being made, so it is reasonable to mode, in parallel to the public utility company's main grid,
suppose that they will be extensively used in the future, in where there is a considerable percentage of energy produced
conjunction with solar PV and wind power installations. from renewable sources, mainly by wind power and solar
The extremely variable nature of the electricity produced from PV. This is a medium and low voltage grid, since it covers
renewable sources and the consequent unbalance between a limited area. It can also include synchronized generators
power generation and consumption that could suddenly energized by diesel engines with power ratings of up to a few
occur in the grid, has encouraged public utility companies to megawatts. Microgrids are generally complete with energy
search for solutions able to balance the positive and negative storage devices so as to balance the system and improve
power peaks so as to reduce the running costs and optmize security of supply, in view of the large amount of power
loss-of-load. generated from renewable sources. Lastly, it is complete with
These systems can have numerous benefits and effects on its own monitoring and communication system. Microgrids
the distribution system, i.e.: can be used for equipping islands and rural areas situated far
– by acting as generators, they can contribute towards the from the main grid, for the use of electric power.
stability of grid voltage and frequency Creation of a microgrid provides the following main benefits:
– they can minimize the power flows, consequently reducing – independence from the public utility company's main grid,
the investments required to strengthen the grid with the ability to supply electric energy even in a main grid
– they allow islanded management of certain areas blackout
temporarily isolated from the grid – lower energy costs, especially in isolated areas, owing to a
– they level out the consumption peaks reduction in the need for fossil fuels
– they improve the security of supply in general and – reduced CO2 emissions.
become a power reserve for industries, buildings and On the other hand, the risks include increased grid instability,
infrastructures. making it more difficult to coordinate the protections.
11
2. The different components and
functions of a smart grid
Commercial Industrial
Wind turbines
Residential
Storage
Hydropower
Residential
Coal Residential
While it is clear that consumers would benefit both The VPP concept allows visibility and control of the various
economically and environmentally by decentralization of energy sources to be increased thanks to a management
electricity generation in conjunction with liberalization of the system able to acquire data from all the sources and process
energy market, their integrated management is not without forecasts, plan tasks and monitor them. More generally,
difficulty. The solution lies in representing the distributed these systems also integrate energy storage units and certain
resourses as virtual power plants (VPPs) so as to create consumers so as to enhance overall efficiency.
an interface able to highlight the technical and economic Creation of a virtual generation system requires a
synergies of the complex generation system. computerized distributed energy source dispatching system
Thanks to this interface, the public utility company can obtain (also known as DEMS, Decentralized Energy Management
the following benefits: System) to optimize and plan the tasks of the distributed
– generate more accurate load forecasts units, a load forecasting system and especially generators
– resolve grid faults in a more selective way for producing power from renewable sources (also in
– sell energy in advance, at the most convenient price relation to the weather forecasts) as well as an appropriate
– balance the power flows. communication system.
12
2.7 Demand response and Generation management
Demand Response (DR), comprises the system of incentives While the users can:
or rules aimed at persuading end customers to change their – save on electricity bills by reducing consumption
electricity consumption. Key factors include price, availability, – obtain better rates.
environmental impact, etc. A reduction in peak power demands or their different
This allows public utility companies to: distribution over time allows public utility companies to limit
– modify the consumption peaks as to value and time. their investments in grid and installations while improving the
– reduce the total energy demand. quality of the supply and efficiency of the system.
– balance generation and consumption Besides the decentralized energy management system
– avoid risky overloads and guarantee security of supply (DEMS) and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) an Advanced metering
– reduce the cost of energy and be more competitive in the infrastructure (AMI) is also required so as to integrate the end
energy market. customer by notifying and applying updated rates in real time,
thereby allowing him to change his consumption habits on the
basis of his contract.
13
2. The different components and
functions of a smart grid
14
Focused as it is on sustainable development, ABB intends to These technologies and products have been installed in an
play a leading role in the evolution of the smart grid. experimental facility, the ABB Smart Lab in Dalmine. The
ABB possesses a complete range comprising cutting-edge only one of its kind, this facility is dedicated to research and
dispatching systems through to all the most advanced to demonstrating the most innovative technologies in the
electricity generation, transmission and distribution electricity transmission and distribution industry.
components and technologies required for the development
of reliable, efficient and sustainable power grids.
15
Note
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