Approach to make Smart Grid a reality

Currently, utility companies worldwide are trying to overcome new challenges such as generation diversification, Green house gas emissions regulation, Energy Conservation, demand response and a new liberalized Market system. It appears that these cannot be resolved with the current infrastructure. A next-generation grid, commonly referred to as Smart Grid is expected to be the solution to these issues. Recent years have experienced a number of widespread power blackouts across the globe, following natural disasters such as hurricane Sandy, hurricane Irene and hurricane Tomas in the US, and Cyclone `Phailina´ in India. Recently Cyclone `Phailina´ has left thousands of homes and businesses of Andhra/Odisha coast areas in dark. This implies the need for a smarter grid, an interconnected system responsive to the forces acting on it, capable of reporting statuses and restoring the power supply faster. Smart grids are a combination of advanced power electronics and communication technologies attached to conventional transmission and distribution systems. This technological amalgamation will facilitate in reshaping how utilities work and stay in touch with customers, providing new ways to minimize the frequency of outages and restore power quickly. The Smart Grid segments include Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Demand Response, Network Reliability, Grid Optimization & Integration of Renewable Energy[1]. AMI deployments has replaced legacy of Electro-mechanical meters with intelligent meters ie Smart Meters. Smart Metering is the foundation of Smart Grid. Smart Metering enables remote reading of consumer premise meters/devices and network meters/devices for error free data. This data is used in Demand Response, Network Problem Identification, Load Profile, Energy Audit, Signaling for Load Control, Load Curtailment beyond sanctioned limit, Tamper Detection, Reduction in AT&C losses, increase in revenue realization and Customer Satisfaction. Smart Meterin- system helps the utility to take informed business decision regarding various consumer issues and assist the operator in the management as well prioritizing various consumer and other utility related events. Smart Grid will transform the way power is delivered, consumed and accounted & will increase reliability efficiency and power quality. The three biggest challenges in Smart Grid are, interoperability standards, utility business models that promote energy efficiency, and proper development of systems architecture that can support enterprise wide current and future applications.