Professional Documents
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Project Proposal
Topic: Pros and Cons of Smart Grid
and Their Solution
Group Members
Shawn Sagar (S11098078)
Komal Singh (S11097510)
Krishneeldra Kumar (S11085764)
Ratu Deve Vosawale (S11090144)
Objectives
-
For every drawback of the smart grid system, a solution has to be generated to solve
the problem.
Abstract
This project is based on the different characteristics of a smart grid system. The major
aspects that would be analyzed for the smart grid system is the pros and cons and how to
solve the drawbacks of the system. Our group members decided to choose this particular
topic for our project because it was an interesting way to view and analyze the smart grid
electric system. This research project is very important because through the review done on
each feature of a smart grid, information can be generated on how to improve the system in
future designs and how a smart grid could be implemented in a country like Fiji in the future.
Introduction
Electricity has become a day to day need for the people and more often required at almost
every instant of life. The huge reliance on electricity and with the increasing demand for
cleaner energy requires a move towards modern electrical grids. This complication can be
addressed by replacing the existing grid with a smart grid. The smart grid is set to establish
two-way communication between the supplier and consumer.
This brings about benefit to both the supplier and the consumer having both parties track
the data for energy demand and usage in real time. The introduction of the smart grid
provides consumers with accurate energy usage data and its cost with real time monitoring
capabilities through smart meters. Smart meters provide incentives to consumers to manage
their energy usage and reduce their billing costs.
Another positive factor related with a smart grid is the ability to integrate renewable energy
supplies. This means that that solar and wind energy can be stored and distributed without
having it wasted no matter if the supply is greater than the demand.
Literature Review
Smart Grid - The New and Improved Power Grid: A Survey
Smart grid is more efficient in power delivering capabilities and has the ability to react to
different conditions that arise. Some important characteristics include:
- changing the flow of power between supplier and customer automatically to meet
demand.
- creating a smooth demand profile by decreasing the peak demand (this reduces capital
and plant costs).
- providing consumers with real time pricing would lure them to refrain from using power
at peak hours unless necessary.
- Introduction of Distributed Generation(DG) through the use of solar and wind energy,
usually having a range of 3kW to 10000kW, this DG improves reliability and power quality.
Drawbacks include fluctuations in yielding solar and wind energy, the cost of DG is higher
than the centralized large scale generation. Steps for implementing DG includes: i.) To be
able to integrate DG to the current power system, ii) Facilitate and operating both
decentralized and centralized power system, iii) Ensure maximum power supply from DGs
- Virtual Power Plant(VPP) is a central power controller for the DG system providing during
peak demand on short notice (more flexibility and efficiency). This would solve the
problem of fluctuations but it is a complex system(VPP). Also VPP ensures minimum loss
of renewable energy generated.
Transmission
- Smart control, smart networks, and smart substation. Distribution Grid
- integration of appliances with smart power distribution in homes - determines
information on how to supply DC and AC power to specific appliances. Micro grid
- island mode, no need for voltage step up and transmission, reliable, self-healing, and more
use of renewable energy.
G2V
- Drawbacks - Overloading in uncontrolled charging
V2G
- Also provides real time information on the current demand and pricing to encourage
minimum use of power during peak hours. Smart measurement and monitoring
- Sensors to detect failures and faults - isolate the failure to prevent the whole system from
failing with the use of wireless sensor networks(WSNs).
- The use of sensors comes with several requirements: i) Quality of service, ii) resource
constraints, iii) remote maintenance and configuration, iv) high security requirements,
and v) harsh conditions of the environment.
information.
- Cellular Network - long range communication, integration with smart meters, already in
existence, strong security, low costs of maintenance, Drawbacks include continuous
availability of cellular network communications.
- Power line Communication (PLC) - use of existing power lines to transmit, direct
connection the consumer meters, Drawbacks include nature of the power line
environment is harsh(noisy), quality of signal depends on the power line.
- Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs)- uses the telephone network, low cost, high speed data
transmission, Drawbacks include reliability, maintenance, security.
Communication Requirements
- security
- reliability, availability and robustness
- scalability
- quality of service
Energy Theft Detection Issues for Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Smart Grid
System Model and Security Requirements
Cyber-attacks are mainly caused in the critical sectors of a smart grid system which can
result in terrorism, industrial espionage and equipment damage to name a few.
They are either cleared for contingency reserve or committed for energy.
Whole payments can be made subject to the performance of the demand supplied.
Reliability
Efficiency
Safety
Automated control
A smart grid has three major subsystems, power delivery, power generation and power
utilization. Wireless sensor networks (WSN) has the ability of enhancing all the subsystems.
When the smart grid system breaks down due to environmental factors misoperation or
equipment failure, this can result in huge economical loss. Through better monitoring and
protection devices such as relays and circuit breakers they breakdowns could be avoided or
damage limited. Most existing smart grid systems have monitoring, remote sensors and fault
diagnosis which is too expensive when applied on a large scale. Low cost is the major
advantage which makes wireless sensor network technology cost effective and feasible
communication and sensing solution for a smart grid system.
WSN technology maybe an economical friendly solution for power system monitoring but
there are challenges that need to be overcome to successfully implement the technology into
the system. Some of the challenges are:
-
Resource constraints
Reducing power outages and balancing electric loads through the use of real-time
data.
Based on demand, raising and lowering the electricity cost through dynamic pricing.
Reducing greenhouse emission from the vehicles driven by the meter readers.
Managing the feedback from the customers regarding the new meters and its
operation.
Managing the finance that is taken into account in ordering and installing the new
meters.
For customers, it could be difficult at time in verifying that the meters are calibrated
properly.
Disposing the old analog meters can be a concern for the environment.
Energy Storage
There are many times when the supply exceeds demand in electric companies. When this
happens, it is vital that the extra energy produced from renewable plants does not go to
waste. The basic concept is to harvest energy at a constant rate regardless of the demand.
There are number of methods in which energy can be stored. These are:
Hydro Pump Storage during off-peak hours, the extra energy produced is used to pump
water back to the upper reservoir. This water is later used in the regular flow during the
peak hours. The efficiency of this method is around 75%.
Hydrogen Storage -
produced using the surplus electric power. This energy can later be used by the combustion
of the oxygen and hydrogen combination to power any type of engines such as a gas turbine.
Compressed Air air is pumped into a tank through the use of a motor- compressor. This
compressed air can be reversed when the energy is needed. Basically, the motor turns into a
generator and the compressor acts as a turbine. The efficiency of this method is about 70%.
Flywheel Energy - additional energy produced is set on a heavy spinning motor which
maintains constant speed due to the large inertia. This removes air resistance and results in
higher frequency when used in vacuumed enclosures.
Thermal Energy excess energy is stored in a particular medium at a certain temperature
which will enable the energy to be used later. Some examples of thermal energy storage are;
heated gravel, hot water, concrete slabs and molten salts. Also, a unique method is using off
peak energy to produce ice and later use it for air conditioning in large buildings. This makes
the energy cheaper and cleaner at night. Thermal energy storage is the second most popular
method used in America behind pumped storage.
Battery Storage this method of storage is already a popular figure in todays technology.
Batteries provide clean and efficient energy and also provide stored energy instantaneously.
The challenge in this method is creating batteries that are large enough to store energy in
the megawatt (MW) units. 76MW batteries exist in the market with 500MW batteries are in
development.
Some of the pros of energy storage in a smart grid system are:
-
Demand response.
Electric transportation.
Reliability.
Renewable resources.
Some of the challenges faced in maintaining the reliability of a smart grid are:
-
Larger transfers over lengthy distances resulting in the increasing instability and
reduction of reliability.
Electric Transportation
Electric vehicles continue to increase in popularity since global warming is rapidly become
major problem. These vehicles play an important part in reducing greenhouse emissions and
dependence on fossil fuel. The features of electric vehicles are similar to storage resources
and demand response from a reliability point of view. A significant of load growth is
resembled by the increasing demand inconsistency and reliability issues in the charging
schemes and also the customer interaction with the E.V vehicle. At times, depending on the
efficiency of the electric vehicle battery, charging time may be too long and result in
unavailability of the vehicle for the user.
Information Technology Infrastructure for a Smart Grid
Bidirectional communication in a smart grid is instantaneous among all the individual loads
to the grid control centers which includes significant equipment at the transmission and
distribution levels. This involves immense number of data transaction for automation and
analysis.
It is important that the data latency and communication congestion is managed properly for
faster control responses, efficient analysis and distribution of intelligence in the
infrastructure. Reducing the need for large data exchange and data processing is enabled
through a distributed system.
Operations
[1]
The smart energy sub-system consisting
of Generation, Transmission and
Distribution.
- For Generation, renewable energy
sources such as solar and wind
energy (3kW to 10000kW) are
introduced through Distributed
Generation(DG). Some Drawbacks of
DG includes fluctuations and higher
costs compared to a centralised large
scale generation. However, with the
use of Virtual Power Plant(VPP)
which acts as a central power
controller for DG has the ability to
provide during peak demand on short
notice (more flexibility and efficiency).
VPP ensure maximum penetration of
renewable energy sources.
- Transmission side of the infrastructure
can be updated to smart networks,
control, and sub-station.
- For the Distribution grid, integration of
appliances with smart power
distribution.
- Microgrids with island mode ensures
reliability, self-healing, and more use
of renewable energy.
- G2V has drawbacks of overloading in
uncontrolled charging.
- V2G comprises of (i)Hybrid(fuel cell)vehicles generate and supply to the
grid, (ii)Battery powered hybrid
vehicles can be charged at off peak
hours and supply during peak hours
when it is not in use, (iii)Solar vehicles
can supply excess energy to the grid.
Protection
Management
[1]
[1]
- Reliability of renewable
resources, demand response
and load management, storage
devices, electric transportation.
[3]
[5]
Operations
[5]
Protection
- Active Network
[4]
Management(ANM) includes
protection relays, protection
planning, fault location.
Cyber security
security coordination based on
SCADA(Government).
[4]
[6]
Management
[7]
distribution generation,
transmission system, and
controlled by information and
communication technologies
Demand response resources
include energy supply not
regulated, offer of contingency
reserve, assessment offered for
real time markets, day ahead
and reliability, wholesales
trading and scheduling.
[8]
Operations
Protection
Management
Methodology
Research
Since this project is research based, thorough readings have been done in order to
understand the concept of smart grids and its operation. The major medium for research was
the internet. Particularly, the IEEE digital library was used to gather the journals that
consisted of the information on smart grids. The project is based on the pros and cons of
smart grids and their solution, therefore any journals related to this topic were downloaded.
A number of documents on the IEEE digital library were locked, whereby the links to those
journals will be given to the course coordinator, Dr. Islam since he has access.
Apart from the IEEE digital library, other research papers were read online which were not
IEEE standards but included valuable information related to the project.
Planning and Management
All of the members in the group will be responsible for the management of the project since
this is a group project. Certain tasks in the project are the responsibility of certain group
members, this should not prevent the members communicating with one another.
Communication is an important factor in a project and it generally decides whether a project
fails or succeeds. As for the planning of the project, the group members will follow the work
plan set out in this proposal.
Effective Coordination
Weekly meetings will be conducted to discuss and update each individual on the project.
Communication will be done through social media, emails and mobile phones. An online
cloud storage, Google Drive is also created by the group leader where all the project research
work is stored. Again, the work plan will be followed accordingly to ensure tasks are
completed on time.
Work Plan
Week 1-2 in the first two weeks of the semester, the students learned what EE361 unit was
about and the topics that that will be taught throughout the semester. Smart grid and every
aspect of the system was the core subject of the course. The project topics were uploaded
online and the students chose their respective group members and project topic. The
selected topic and team members were posted online on Moodle.
Week 3 - The group members will work on the project proposal whereby each student should
read and summarize journals on smart grids and their pros and cons and how to solve the
disadvantages of the smart grid system. Most documents will be taken out of the IEEE digital
library as stated in the methodology. The project proposal task distribution will be done
equally so that each group member will be responsible for their respective workload.
Week 4-6 - Project proposal wrapped up in week 4 and submitted to course coordinator.
Work on the project will continue with the group members doing their fair share of reading
and research on the smart grid system. Since the project is a review topic, there will not be
any hardware and software included. Therefore, the members should find every possible
advantages and disadvantages regarding the smart grid system and collect as much
information as possible. Plenty journals will have to be read in order to achieve this task.
Also, a meeting with the course coordinator Dr. Islam will be conducted to discuss the
project.
Week 7 - A progress report will be made on what has been done in the project so far. Possibly
a short presentation by each groups on their respective smart grid topics.
Week 8-12 Continuation on the project with detailed analysis on each pros and cons of the
smart grid system. For each drawback of the smart grid, a solution has to be generated on
how the problem can be solved.
Week 13-14 Final report write-up, final presentation and one on one personal reviews.
Conclusion
-
Power grid complexity can be solved through the progression of communication and
information technology that is known as the smart grid.
The smart grid system has many advantages that benefits the electrical companies
and consumers. Not all systems are perfect, therefore the smart grid system does have
drawbacks which will be thoroughly analyzed throughout this project and a possible
solution will be generated.
Finally, the advancement of technology such as a smart grid would provide a brighter
future for the people and the environment.
Reference