A Smarter Grid for Improving System Reliability and Asset Utilization

The power grid is aging and under stress. Unlike other modern networked systems, the grid lacks intelligence and automation. This paper has presented a new look at the way a Smart Grid can be implemented. The conventional approach has been to first obtain real time information on critical parameters, and then by controlling VAR resources, tap changers, and FACTS devices to achieve the desired control. A simpler approach is presented here based on using highly interconnected meshed networks. Such networks have been used in high density urban areas for many years for the high reliability achievable, but suffer from poor line utilization and lack of flexibility under contingency or load growth conditions. The use of a large number of current limiting conductor or CLiC modules provides a simple and cost-effective approach for realizing a controllable meshed network, maximizing network capacity under diverse contingencies and load growth scenarios. Using a low-tech approach, it is seen that basic network performance and reliability are dramatically increased. It is also seen that the distributed nature and inherent redundancy in the deployment of large numbers of CLiC modules, results in high system reliability