Abstract :
This paper discusses how advances in information and communications technology (ICT) could help future power grids become smarter entities. With these advances, the unidirectional, centrally controlled nature of existing transmission and distribution infrastructure can be upgraded into an interactive, electronically enhanced grid that can spot potential problems in real time, communicate them to a computer-based system and automatically prevent or correct any faults or disturbances. Apart from these so-called "self-healing" capabilities of intelligent networks, other advantages include a more efficient use of electricity, higher reliability of supply, two-way communications between suppliers and customers, dynamic pricing based on real-time market data and improved security.
Keywords :
intelligent networks; power distribution economics; power distribution faults; power distribution reliability; power engineering computing; power grids; power supply quality; power transmission economics; power transmission faults; power transmission reliability; pricing; computer-based system; distribution infrastructure; disturbances prevention; dynamic pricing; faults prevention; information and communications technology; intelligent networks; power grids; real-time market; self-healing capabilities; supply reliability; transmission infrastructure;
