Various Types of Smart Grid Technology

Akhil Nigam
Electrical Engineering
Chandigarh University
akhilnigam.eee@cumail.in
Inderpreet Kaur
Electrical Engineering
Chandigarh University
hod.eee@cumail.in
Kamal Kant Sharma
Electrical Engineering
Chandigarh University
kamalkant.ee@cumail.in

Abstract
For many years there have been no reforms taken in consideration of power grid architecture. Last
century centrally controlled grids are unable to fulfill the requirements of 21st century. Smart grid is
introduced to overcome the problems of previous grid. The smart grid is a modernized architecture of
electric power grid that comprises of automation control, power converters, smart meter technologies,
and modernized energy management techniques to enhance reliability and efficiency of electric power
grid. Communication system and true data are two main components of the electric power grid. But smart
grid requires more and more complex communication architecture of electric power system. This paper
deals with various techniques which are used in smart grid to enhance its architecture and operation.
In this paper various techniques of smart grid are discussed.

Keywords: Smart grid, two way communication, demand side generation, fuzzy logic, data mining,
distributed generators, sensors.

1. Introduction
The introduction of smart grid is an essential requirement that overcomes green house gas effects and
encourages energy efficiency and reliability. Basically smart grid is the combination of distribution
generators and centralized power plants that allow multi direction power flow and interchange of
information. It is a two way communication system which creates an automated and energy efficient
electrical power network [6]. In traditional times, power flows in one direction only i.e. from generating
station to the consumers via transmission and distribution lines. The smart grid development has been
globally accepted for long term changes in the form of electricity usage. Smart grid has been updated
form of delivering system of electricity. This form comprises optimization and protection of operation
that performs from one end to another end of the connected element. Also the integration of renewable
energies adds degree of complexity; such energy sources are less predictable than traditional power grid.
To enhance with additional renewable energy grid operators implement more information and
communication technology solutions and generate a ‘Smart Grid’ [1]. So smart grid introduces the new
network strategies to make grid more reliable and sustainable to enhance with distributed generators for
energy storage and demand side management to load the balance. These demand side management
technologies are developed to change the behaviors of different consumers by charge them when they are
using more electricity in peak hours [17]. The components of smart grid architecture are connected
through the communication system and sensor nodes which provide the connectivity between them for
data transmission and distribution
Smart grid provides a lot of economic and environmental benefits as:
1. Improves reliability of power transmission and power quality.
2. Improves power distribution efficiency.
3. Low cost for electric utilities.
4. Low expenditure by households.
5. Reduced green house gas emission.
6. Low peak demand.
7. Accurate power measurement with latest technologies.
TABLE 1.1: Difference between conventional grid and smart grid

S. No. Conventional grid Smart grid

1. It is electromechanical device It is digital device.
2. It is only one way communication. It is a two way communication.
3. It uses less sensors. It uses more sensors.
4. Less efficient. More efficient.
5. It has limited control. It controls thoroughly.
6. It has radial grid topology. It has network grid topology.
7. It has centralized generation. It has distributed generation.
8. It has lack of control. It has robust control technology.

Figure1. Conventional Grid

Figure2. Smart Grid

 2. Components of smart grid
One of the factors in the development is the conversion from conventional grid into smart grid. This can
be achieved by using smart energy subsystem and the smart communication system. The evolution of
smart grid not only relies on the advancement of electric power equipment technology but also on the
improvement of sophisticated monitoring system, optimization and control from central location to the
distribution grid. Smart energy subsystem performs generation, transmission and consumption of electric
energy. Smart communication system is responsible for communication infrastructure issues for data
transmission between smart grid system and consumers. So communication system is the main
component of smart grid [10]. With updating day by day in technologies smart grid utilizes advanced
infrastructure to analyze huge amount of data for controlling and real time pricing. Therefore smart
information subsystem is used to enhance information generation, monitoring, analysis, control and
optimization. Advanced metering infrastructure and various digital technologies with two way
communication introduces a lot of data which enables higher resolution for the entire electricity system
[12].
There are various components of smart grid like as:
 Smart meter: It is the most important mechanism used in the smart grid for receiving
information from end users while also controlling the behavior of their devices. So smart meters
have ability of two way communication between for receiving and storing data at particular time
intervals [1].
 Sensors: Sensors or sensor nodes are used in order to detect mechanical failures in smart grid
such as conductor failures and mechanical conditions. These are often low cost and resource
limited devices.
 Router: It is a device which forwards the data packets between various computer networks.
 Communication network: It basically works as a gateway between home area network and wide
area network.
 Smart infrastructure system: This system comprises the smart energy subsystem, smart
information and communication subsystem [12].
 Smart management system: The system which collects and analyzes data. It comprises energy
efficiency, cost reduction and demand side management.
 Meter data acquisition: It uses for data collection and receiving of real time data and periodic
data.

3. Communication technologies
a) Zigbee: It is a wireless technology used to enhance low power, low cost sensors and control
networks. Zigbee is used in smart grids for automatic data reading and monitoring of energy. It can be
used anywhere as it is easy to implement and basically requires low power to operate. It has been
realized as an ideal technology for communication between smart meter and home appliances.
b) Wi-Max: It is termed as worldwide inter-operatibility for microwave access. It is very successful
appliance able to operate on various frequency bands from 3.65 GHz to 5.8 GHz. It supports multiple
connections to the devices at the same time [1].
c) Wireless mesh: It is a combination of nodes that are joined in a group and doing as self-reliant
router. It is used in small business operation and for remote areas.
d) GSM: It is basically a global system for mobile communication to transfer information and voice
service.
TABLE 3.1 Communication techniques for smart grid

Technology Data rate Frequency range Coverage range Uses

Zigbee 20kbits/sec 2.4 GHz to 10-100 m Industrial, home

2.483GHz automation
Wi-max 100Mbps 2-1 GHz 1-50 km Public safety, 4G network

GSM 9.6kbps 900-1800 MHz 1-10 km Industrial system, security

system
3G 384 kbits/sec 1.92 MHz -2 MHz 1-50 km Mobile phones,
PLC Upto 100Mbps 1 GHZ-50 GHz Upto several Industrial system, traffic
kilometers system

3.1 Data Mining Techniques in smart Grid

There are many large numbers of artificial intelligence and statistical techniques developed for
data mining purpose. However there are different techniques which are widely used such as expert
system, fuzzy logic, time series, and regressive techniques.
1. Expert system: There are some basic rules used for accurate forecasting. These rules are produced
by experts for automatically forecasting with any human assistance.
2. Fuzzy logic system: In fuzzy logic system digital circuits and Boolean logics are used. Boolean
logic function is performed by truth table and takes input 0 or 1. Fuzzy logic maps all the input
results to the output like a curve fitting. The advantages of this technique are noise free inputs;
perform in the absence of mathematical models and maps inputs to the outputs. Sometimes this
technique cannot be performed because it does not give exact output at some situation [3].
3. Time series technique: This technique used signals in times series for load forecasting. This
technique is used in digital signal processing.
4. Regression technique: This technique is extensively used to create a relationship between the load
forecasting and other factors like customer class, data type and weather etc. The drawback is that it
has no stationary relation with the weather component [3].

4. Conclusion
So after getting implementation in smart grid Indian power system will have smart features
comprising of low cost, green power, controlled energy demand, reduced manpower costs. This
also enhances reliability, efficiency and safety of power grids. In this paper comparison between
conventional and smart grid power system has been discussed in addition with various
communication technologies and data mining techniques. This paper deals with a feasible study
exploring the characteristics and cost analysis of grid connected power system.

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