1
Sample Survey of Smart Grid Approaches
and Technology Gap Analysis
Gregory F. Reed, Member, IEEE; Prince A. Philip, Student Member, IEEE;
Ansel Barchowsky, Christopher J. Lippert, Adam R. Sparacino, Student Member IEEE
Abstract— Research and development in the field of “smart
grids” is advancing at an ever expanding rate, with an increasing
number of industry participants and other key constituents
internationally, including government entities and educational
institutions. It is vital to understand the approaches being taken
by these various entities in order to determine the optimal
method by which to proceed with defining the smart grid and
associated future developments. This survey was undertaken
with the intent of determining representative approaches from
various participants, and combining them into an overarching
view of the industry as a whole. As a result, the more practical
and efficient methods of improving the electrical grid were
revealed, as well as gaps within the existing technology and
standards. The most apparent gaps were determined to be in the
following main areas: common communications; improved
transmission and distribution controls; real-time information
and incentives for both the end-user and the utility; self-healing
grids; energy storage and renewable integration; and improved
standards for the industry. In particular, future work into the
development of improved control software for renewable
integration utilizing energy storage is discussed, which will
contribute to further research within the field.
Index Terms—Smart Grid, Renewable Energy, Energy
Storage, Transmission, Distribution, FACTS, HVDC, Energy
Efficiency, Substation Automation
I. INTRODUCTION
T
he intent of this paper is to undertake an international
sample survey of the power industry as a whole and to
determine what technologies for smart grid applications
are provided by the various entities engaged in the industry.
As such, an investigation was performed in order to determine
the key smart grid offerings from various entities, as presented
in section III – Industry Survey of Smart Grid Activities. All
of the information collected was available via public access to
company websites or through the publishing of journal articles
or white papers, and only represents an overview of each
organization’s involvement in the smart grid field. Key focal
points were established to address how smart grid is being
defined, which technologies could be used to achieve a smart
grid system, and what would be the preferred method of
achieving such a system.
_______________________
G.F. Reed, P.A. Philip, A. Barchowsky, C.J. Lippert, A.R. Sparacino are
with the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Power &
Energy Initiative, in the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of
Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15210 USA (e-mails: reed5@pitt.edu,
pap23@pitt.edu, anb105@pitt.edu, cjl41@pitt.edu, ars88@pitt.edu).
By examining these traits, an appreciation was gained for the
scope and direction of developments, offerings, and research
in the field with the intent of finding gaps that would need to
be filled in order to accomplish global energy goals of the
future.
II. BACKGROUND
The development of a smarter grid network has become a
topic increasingly being pursued within the power
transmission and distribution industry. Advances are emerging
in better transmission technologies, improved automation and
controls, more reliable and efficient components, and real-time
communications and sensors. [1] There are, however,
hundreds of companies who are, or claim to be, involved in
smart grid research and developments. These range from
electric utilities to distribution companies to computing firms,
many of whom are simply riding the marketing boost of the
“smart grid” brand. It is therefore necessary to determine the
validity of many of these claims, and evaluate the approaches
these companies are taking, to ensure that the development of
improved grid systems progresses in a productive and efficient
manner. Additionally, many of these companies are working
in the same areas of grid development, and are producing
similar components and software for the same purposes. This
demonstrates a need for the investigation of the best practices
in each area, and a need for the development of standards
which will govern continued development and integration of
the various offerings. Finally, there is a divide between the
goal of designing a smarter grid network and the existing
technologies within the field. The undertaking of this survey
provides insight into the missing gaps within each major
segment of the industry, with the goal of identifying the most
important for further research and development throughout the
field. One discrepancy that is pervasive throughout the field is
a single definition of the smart grid. The DOE and IEEE-PES
have provided good definitions that encompass the key
elements that are necessary for enabling smart grid
infrastructure development. At the University of Pittsburgh,
we have adopted a general description of the smart grid, with a
consistent definition to the aforementioned organizations, as
follows: “The implementation of various enabling power
system automation, communication, protection, and control
technologies that allow real-time interoperability between endusers and energy producers, in order to enhance efficiency in
utilization decision-making based on energy resource
availability and economics.” [2]
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III. INDUSTRY SURVEY OF SMART GRID ACTIVITIES
A. Independent Organizations
1. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
The DOE provides funding and overarching goals for the
energy industry. [1] Their stated goals are to fund research and
provide support such that the grid has: self-healing from
power disturbance events, active participation by customers in
demand response, operating resiliently against physical and
cyber attack, providing power quality for 21st century needs,
accommodating all generation and storage options, enabling
new products, services and markets and optimizing assets and
operating efficiently. Emphasis is placed on monitoring and
load management technologies such as fault detection,
localization, prediction and power quality monitoring; as well
as the monitoring and control of industrial, commercial and
residential loads for demand side management. Advanced
components and operating concepts like interconnection
technologies and intentional islanding and Microgrids are
discussed as possible topics as well. [3]
Furthermore, the DOE defines smart grid as an “…electric
delivery network, from generation to the consumer integrated
with the latest advances in digital and information technology
to improve the electric system reliability, efficiency, security,
and resiliency.” To support the emerging smart grid
developments, the DOE has provided several funding
opportunity announcements (FOAs) related to smart grid
research, development, and demonstration aimed at fulfilling
their mission in this area. [4]At the DOE National Energy
Technology Laboratory smart grid work is being done on
reviewing the potential benefits of modernizing a major
electricity transmission and distribution grid using 8 categories
of smart grid technologies affecting all aspects of grid
operations from the consumer to the central power plant
generation fleet. It is obvious that the DOE role is imperative
to succeeding with the overall goals of the industry’s smart
grid initiatives within the U.S.
2. IEEE – Power and Energy Society (IEEE-PES)
IEEE – PES is transnational in nature with members from all
around the globe and currently serves as the world’s largest
forum to share the latest and most exciting technological
developments in the electric power industry. The society is
also involved in developing engineering standards that guide
the development and construction of equipment and systems,
and for educating members of the industry and the general
public. IEEE and NIST work hand in hand the area of smart
grid research and development. IEEE has adopted the NIST
SmartGrid Conceptual model which provides a high level
framework that defines seven important Smart Grid domains:
Bulk Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Customers,
Operations, Markets and Service Providers.
It shows all the communications and energy/electricity flows
connecting each domain and how they are interrelated one to
another. At IEEE, the Smart Grid is seen as a large “System of
Systems”, where each NIST Smart Grid domain is expanded
into three Smart Grid foundational layers, which are the Power
and Energy Layer, the Communication Layer and the
IT/Computer Layer. [5] PES is also playing a leadership role
in smart grid developments, including sponsorship of many
smart grid related conferences and forums.
3. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
NIST plays a pioneering role in smart grid research and
development. Under the Energy Independence and Security
Act, NIST has the "primary responsibility to coordinate
development of a framework that includes protocols and
model standards for information management to achieve
interoperability of smart grid devices and systems…" [6]
With industry, government, and consumer stakeholders,
NIST is expediting identification and development of
standards critical to achieving a reliable and robust Smart
Grid. NIST understands that interoperability is vitally
important to the performance of the Smart Grid at every level.
It enables integration, effective cooperation, and two-way
communication among the many interconnected elements of
the electric power grid. NIST also has collaborated with
businesses and standards organizations on guidelines and
standards to protect industrial supervisory control and data
acquisition (SCADA) systems and to secure their interfaces to
the power grid. NIST know-how extends to standards and
measurements for building control systems and their links to
the grid. In partnership with the DOE GridWise Architecture
Council, a body composed of users and suppliers of electric
power, NIST created Domain Expert Working Groups that
involve more than 100 organizations. Areas of focus are:
Transmission and Distribution, Building to Grid, Industry to
Grid, Home to Grid, and Business and Policy. [6]
4. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
EPRI is involved in almost every area of research pertaining
to smart grid technologies. As one example, EPRI and TVA
are working together to develop and build integrated solarassisted electric charging stations that will be used for electric
vehicles. The smart model area range terminal stations will be
used to gather information on energy usage and the amount of
time that equipment is used for. [7] EPRI, along with a group
of 20 organizations, has created an industry wide group with
the intent to gather and interpret data from transmission lines,
substations and grid operations in order to find benefits for
using efficiency measures. [8] EPRI’s energy storage program
looks to advance the understanding of the possible benefits of
energy storage. EPRI’s future goal is for field demonstrations
of energy storage programs. [9] Through their smart grid
demonstration project initiative, EPRI is planning to set the
purposes of distributed resources, find the needs for demand
side integrations, and help facilitate the creation of standards
to promote the use of distributed resources.
5. University of Pittsburgh
The electric power research group in the ECE department at
the University of Pittsburgh has been working in various areas
Figure 1: NIST SmartGrid conceptual model [5]
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of smart grid research. Supported by funding from the
Pennsylvania Ben Franklin Technology Development
Authority, the power and energy initiative team analyzed the
need for high capacity power electronic technologies for
integration of green energy management. In depth analysis
was conducted on conventional AC transmission, HVDC, and
FACTS compensation techniques as applied to both AC and
DC transmission. This work helped present future
applications, advantages, and development requirements for
power electronics and control technologies in a diversified
generation environment. [10] The team is also engaged in a
Westinghouse Revolutionary R&D Program. Within this
project, the market trends for domestic and international
energy resources were analyzed and tied to how they
specifically impact nuclear energy generation. The work also
included categorization of issues with renewable resources to
provide better understanding of the various challenges that are
associated with integrating non-renewable resources with
rapidly developing renewable forms of energy. The team
further on developed a model to optimally integrate energy
generated from nuclear, wind, gas and coal. [11]
Real-Time
End-User to
Resource
Information
Flow and
InterOperability
Two-Level
Distributed
Control
Approach
Fossil
Figure 4: Smart Grid Interface Control Methodology [40]
B. Manufacturers and Consultants
1. KEMA
KEMA is a global, leading authority specializing in energy
consulting, testing and certification. In the field of smart grid
technology KEMA understands that in order to achieve the
goals for developing renewable sources of energy and
standards around the world the grid must become far more
flexible, controllable, and intelligently adaptive. This has
resulted in a call for development and deployment of smart
grid and smart metering around the world. KEMA is part of
the leadership of the US GridWise Alliance and KEMA
contributed to Department of Energy reports on Smart Grid
and Storage. KEMA has identified the driving factors for the
smart grid as shown in Fig. 2.
Figure 2: Driving Factors for Smart Grid [12]
KEMA has implemented a state of the art SCADA/DMS
system for EEQ (Empressa Electrica Quito). EEQ is
responsible for the sub-transmission and distribution of
electrical energy in the city of Quito. EEQ is installing
Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) as parts of a system wide
Substation Automation implementation. The communications
media parts of the project include fiber optics, Wi-Fi radio and
PLC to connect the master station with the substations. This
will provide broadband common for multiples uses. [13]
KEMA has also developed a new measuring system for the
on-line monitoring and location of partial discharges (PD-OL)
in medium-voltage power cables. [14]
2. ABB
ABB is a global corporation researching and producing a
wide array of engineering products, including automation and
advanced technologies for power transmission and
distribution. ABB has developed automation software that is
intended for use on the commercial or industrial level, and
integrates various plant or building entities into one location
that is easily accessible by operators. Entitled System 800xA,
it observes power use, communications and safeties and
controls throughout the plant. It allows for a more efficient
and flexible control of a plant’s systems, reduced power
consumption, and increased productivity, stability and safety.
This applies too to a larger scale at the distribution automation
level, controlling the distribution of load on a substation.
These technologies include SCADA systems which improve
monitoring and control, along with many other technologies
which provide better automation control mechanisms on a
variety of levels. [15] In addition to their monitoring software,
ABB produces High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)
transmission systems and the technology to integrate such
systems with the existing grid network. The benefit to such a
system is increased efficiency of the power transmission, with
less loss of power from equivalent cable lengths when
compared to HVAC. Additionally, HVDC lines are better
suited to underground and underwater use over long distances.
[16] ABB is also researching the improvement of existing grid
networks with the addition of Flexible AC Transmission
Systems (FACTS) allowing better control of AC systems and
Wide Area Monitoring Systems (WAMS), which collect
information from the grid in real time, providing grid
conditions to an operator in real time. [15]
3. BPL Global
BPL Global is a company focusing extensively on smart grid
solutions, especially at the substation and delivery level. They
develop monitoring and control software for the improved
efficiency of load management and power delivery. It begins
at the substation level. They plan to place IEDs at multiple
crucial points within a substation, to feed information about
their respective components into a Substation Automation
software system, which will improve electric service
operations while reducing maintenance costs. This will
supplement their Power SG Network Monitoring and
Management, which is designed to monitor and manage the
electrical devices for an entire electrical grid. [17] This
includes monitoring the individual transformers on each
feeder, and reacting fluidly to the changing load on each.
Their Rapid Fault Locator will provide this system with the
ability to quickly identify and locate faults within the system
to more effectively control outages and voltage spikes.
Additionally, development is under way on the incorporation
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of efficient energy storage and renewable generation to the
system and the grid. BPL is providing increased control for
residential, commercial and industrial users in terms of the
loads on their individual systems at any given time. This is
achieved through improved device monitoring for the
residential user, and integrated observation and load controls
for the commercial or industrial user. [18] This building
monitoring extends beyond power consumption, allowing the
user to additionally manage water consumption and efficiency.
Much of this communication is accomplished by their
development of broadband internet connections over power
lines, which will allow both quick observations at remote
locations, as well as bringing broadband internet to users who
previously had no means of access. [19]
4. Eaton
Eaton is focusing on comprehensive energy management
solutions and increasing energy efficiency through use of
variable frequency drives, uninterruptible power supplies,
power factor correction capacitors and energy efficient and
harmonic mitigating transformers. [20] Eaton’s power
monitoring software solutions provide power assurance,
visibility into power conditions, energy efficiency, energy
cost allocations and proactive planning. [21] One such
metering technology is the Powerware eNotify remote
monitoring and diagnostic service. The software monitors
compatible UPSs, and through daily trending and protective
monitoring can alert the user of potential failures. [22]
Eaton's offerings of power monitoring are primarily on the
end-user side. Potential points of installation for power
meters are listed as the point of utility service entry into the
building, support systems, critical equipment, primary power
distribution panalboard or subfeed breakers, power
distribution points throughout the facility or inside the
enclosure. [21] To reduce downtime Eaton is researching
paralleling switchgear and automatic transfer switches. Eaton
is also researching green building technologies, and
integrated facilities system which reduces both floor space
and material needed for power systems over traditional
installations. [20]
Eaton's world class Power System Experience Center, in
Warrendale PA, is a unique facility that exhibits and
demonstrates all of these and other smart grid, power quality,
power management, and renewable energy solutions.
Eaton is also a major participant in the smart grid
demonstration project with Portland General Electric. [23]
This project will provide the ability to Island a feeder through
the use of distributed generation as a proof of concept using
technologies available today. [24]
5. General Electric
General Electric is incorporating a variety of smart grid
technologies ranging from automatic transfer switches,
uninterruptible power supplies and paralleling switchgear to
monitoring and metering technologies like Power Reporting
ITI and Industrial wireless MDS. [25] General Electric states
that, “Every power distribution system that justifies the talent
of a design professional should qualify for a meter.” [26] As
stated GE feels that meters are a very important technology.
GE also lists many metering functions that can be performed
using the internet; such as, power management and energy
monitoring. [27] Three of GE’s main families of protection,
control and reporting systems, Mulitin, MDS and ITI are used
for protecting, and monitoring all aspects of the grid system
from generation to delivery. [26][28] GE is engaged in smart
grid initiatives throughout the energy chain, from alternative
energy solutions to smart meters.
6. IBM
IBM focuses on incorporating computing power into the
smart grid. Many of IBM’s solutions make other smart grid
technologies more efficient. One of their main efforts is to see
real-time data across the grid and make decisions on this data
instantaneously. IBM utilizes “stream computing” which
tracks stimuli and correlates them with other information in
order to gain an in depth analysis of the real time happenings
in the grid. Through greater computing powers many goals of
the smart grid can be achieved including understanding
demand in near real time, more effectively managing supply
and demand and putting greater control of energy usage into
the hands of consumers. Some aspirations of IBM include
developing cyber security for smart grid networks and smart
meters for consumers. These two ideas are mainly in the
developmental stages, but they are projected to progress as
interest and investment in the power grid increase. [29] IBM’s
vision is to “enable the delivery of services on an on-demand
basis, at competitive costs, and without requiring a large
capital investment in infrastructure.” [30]
7. Lockheed Martin
One of LM’s main interests in developing the smart grid
comes in the form of computer software aptly named Smart
Energy Enterprise Suite (SEEsuite). This software suite
allows companies to observe and manage their energy
production/consumption through overarching control systems.
Components of the program include SEEload, SEEview and
SEEgrid; each offers a different perspective of the power grid.
SEEload enables load control and event analytics. Also, it
integrates all of a utility’s DR programs, customers, and
aggregators into a single operational view to provide
distribution network management. SEEview enables
enterprise-wide situational awareness by providing decision
makers with a real-time, integrated view of all key business
and operational systems. And lastly, SEEgrid helps utilities
and grid operators integrate and manage their fossil- and
renewable-based generation mix, as well as balance overall
system needs to improve grid reliability. [31]
8. Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation develops electrical and
electronic equipment used in information processing and
communications,
space
development
and
satellite
communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology,
energy, transportation and building equipment. With relation
to the smart grid technology Mitsubishi Electric is beginning
to invest a total of 7 billion yen by March 2012 in a project to
build facilities within the company’s production sites in Japan
for experiments designed to establish advanced smart grid
technologies. The facilities will all be connected by a widearea communication network and be remotely monitored. The
5
experiments are aimed at addressing global environmental
issues by promoting the production of energy from
photovoltaic, wind-power and other renewable energy sources
as an alternative to fossil fuels. Mitsubishi Electric views the
smart grid as an enabling technology that will help to integrate
in the power system a large amount of renewable sources
without negative effects on the stability and reliability. [32] In
addition, Mitsubishi Electric is heavily involved in HVDC,
FACTS and automation and control technologies.
subsidized individual meter installations, a portion of the
funds will be needed to install sensors on the T&D equipment.
$50 million will be used to begin building a self-healing
system which will improve efficiency and power reliability in
Houston. CenterPoint Energy also incorporates wireless and
fiber optic communications systems in their efforts to establish
a smarter grid. [34]
2. Con Edison
Con Edison received $181 million in DOE stimulus money.
This funding is being used to progress smart grid meter
installations, in-home monitors, associated sensor installation
and underground communications systems that will foster selfhealing efforts. A $6 million dollar pilot is underway
encompassing Long Island, Sunnyside, Woodside and Astoria.
Con Edison is progressive on their efforts to incorporate
renewables and energy storage. They are currently part of an
initiative to construct a 700 MW wind farm on the eastern
coast of the U.S. If the project is complete, this will become
the largest wind farm in the country. Con Edison also has an
effort developing smart charging for electric vehicles. [35]
Figure 3: MELCO Smart Grid Technology Development [30]
9. Seimens
Siemens is active in a wide variety of smart grid research and
development, from improved transmission capacity and
reliability to more efficient substation use and better end-use
management. Their products begin with generation itself,
including gas and steam turbines and electric generators, in
addition to the development of various renewable energy
methods. Siemens is highly involved in HVDC systems and
FACTS technologies, as well as the development of gas
insulated transmission lines. These gas lines are ideal for use
in areas which cannot have above ground transmission, or are
very sensitive to electromagnetic fields, which are dampened
by the gas insulator contained within the line. At the
substation level Siemens produces high voltage components,
including air and gas insulated switchgears, circuit breakers,
bushings and capacitors, in addition to constructing whole
substations. Siemens is doing research into the integration of
eCar infrastructure to the grid. They are designing charging
centers for electrical vehicles, in addition to planning for the
incorporation of such facilities and the massive load they will
incur to the system. Finally, Siemens is developing a set of
monitoring components and software called Efficiency
Network and Energy Automation Systems, which will observe
and enhance performance of the electrical grid at all levels of
transmission, from lines to substations to delivery. [33]
C. Utilities/Projects – North America
1. CenterPoint Energy
CenterPoint Energy, based in Houston, TX, has more than 5
million metered customers. As of March 2010 the utility
received $200 million from the DOE under the American
Recovery & Reinvestment Act to extend smart metering and
self-healing efforts throughout their service area. $150 million
is designated to accelerate smart meter installation and
mitigate the price increase seen in user rates. Along with
3. Duke Energy
Duke Energy, serving 4 million customers located in five
states throughout the Southeast and Midwest, is a leader in
smart grid efforts as shown by the recent grant money won
from the DOE to progress two projects. $204 million worth of
stimulus money will be used to modernize systems in Ohio,
Indiana, Kentucky and the Carolinas in forms such as smart
meters,
distribution
automation
equipment
and
communications infrastructure. [36] Duke Energy is also
proactive in their renewable and energy storage technologies
as seen in their efforts to build a large scale energy storage
station at a wind farm in West Texas. [37] Another one of
Duke Energy’s efforts is a pilot program in Charlotte, North
Carolina involving 200 customers. The program involves
many smart grid upgrades as well as battery storage for solar
panel power generation. [38] The project is designed to build
on what the utility has learned by conducting a small pilot
program involving 33 customers in Cincinnati, OH. [39]
4. First Energy
After receiving federal grants totaling $57.4 million to
introduce smart grid technologies in Pennsylvania, Ohio and
New Jersey, First Energy is undertaking means to improve the
reliability and interactivity of their electrical distribution
infrastructure in those states. Working with one of their
subsidiary companies, Met-Ed, they have introduced a
voluntary load control program for 23,000 customers which
will help reduce peak demand. This will be accomplished
through an integrated system of load controls that includes
direct control of air conditioners and other customer
appliances during peak usage. It is supported by two-way
communication networks that run to and from the end-user
and the utility. Some of the technologies include distributed
automation, direct load control, smart metering, voltage
control, advanced protection devices and wireless security.
Together, these technologies govern the distribution system,
allowing for better load following, stability and security for
the grid network as a whole. Additionally, First Energy is
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working to planning the development of a 1700MW
compressed air storage facility in Norton, Ohio. [40]
5. PJM
PJM coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all
parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia. It acts
independently and impartially in managing the regional
transmission and wholesale electric market. PJM dispatches
about 163,500 MW of generating capacity over 56,350 miles
of transmission lines. PJM is working towards making the
transmission system smart, efficient and more environmental
friendly by exploring and applying smart grid concepts such as
synchro phasor technology, electricity storage, compressed air
energy storage and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. [41] PJM
also supports the concept of price-responsive demand and
demand response. PJM Interconnection supports projects of all
types to expand the electricity storage capability of the electric
grid. More storage capacity will be needed to deal with the
forecasted major expansion of intermittent renewable energy
sources and their potential impact on system reliability. [41]
PJM as mentioned above is exploring new energy storage
technology such as battery storage, compressed air energy
storage, flywheel storage and PHEV to improve the stability
of the grid after the inclusion of intermittent and stochastic
natured renewable energy.
6. Southern California Edison
Southern California Edison provides electrical service to
central, coastal and southern California. 16.7 percent of their
power supplied is from wide range of alternate and renewable
energy resources. SCE provides power to 180 cities which
includes a demographic count of 13 million, 5000 large
business and 280000 small businesses.
SCE is planning to complete installing smart meters to five
million customers by the end of 2012. SCE is widely
recognized as the leader in evaluating, adoption and
implementation of advanced technologies. SCE have
dedicated technical centers where in energy storage
technology for plug-in vehicles and smart metering
infrastructure and customer devices are tested. SCE sought
and received authorization from the California Public Utilities
Commission to spend up to $4.5 million to conduct feasibility
studies and planning for renewable transmission solutions, as
part of a statewide collaborative process. On the energy
storage front SCE is actively supporting battery storage.
SCE also has been developing pilot programs for sustainable
communities. These are “large, mixed-use, multi-family, or
multiple building construction projects that are willing to
commit to aggressive energy efficiency and sustainable design
goals,” into which SCE is building smart grid infrastructure.
These communities will provide real-world testing for the
smart grid offerings from SCE. [42]
D. Utilities/Projects – Europe
1. E.ON
E.ON is a German power and gas company that operates in
more than 30 countries worldwide and is becoming
increasingly involved in smart grid development throughout
the global market. E.ON has an extremely diversified energy
portfolio. Alongside their conventional power generation,
E.ON is heavily involved in developing alternative energy
systems. They are leaders in on and offshore wind, solar, and
tidal generation. They have built the world’s largest onshore
wind installation in Roscoe, Texas, with 782 MW of
generation serving around 230,000 homes. [43] Offshore,
there are plans for the construction of a 1,000MW installation
off the coast of England in cooperation with DONG Energy
and Masdar. Additionally, E.ON is intensely pushing the
development and use of smart metering in households
throughout Europe. Already, E.ON has installed around 1
million smart meters in Sweden, with 752,000 to be fitted in
Spain by 2014. In Germany, where informative meters are not
yet required, it is planned to equip nearly 80 percent of
households with smart meters by 2022. This includes a 10,000
home pilot in the E.ON Bayern region of Germany, which has
shown that the installation of these smart meters can reduce
the energy consumption of a home by 5 to 10 percent. [44] It
is advances such as these that put E.ON on the forefront of
generation and distribution technologies.
2. EDF
EDF is the world’s largest nuclear utility with solid positions
in many major European countries. EDF has well-defined
priorities that include being a major player in the global
nuclear revival, promoting energy efficiency, and
incorporating renewable energies and more environmentallyfriendly technologies. [45]
EDF is undertaking a project which involves the island of La
Reunion. The multi-faceted augmentation of the island’s
energy system includes: updating hydraulic equipment at
Rivière de l'Est to improve energy capacity of the hydropower by 25%, introducing NaS battery injection to reduce
reliance on generation created by fossil fuels, and plans to
develop a smart grid prototype. The pilot incorporates
installation of systems in the homes of volunteer private
customers which combine solar cells, batteries and energy
controllers, and fitting "Energy Boxes" into other homes,
allowing them to monitor their electricity consumption in real
time and thereby optimize it. [46]
3. Iberdrola
Iberdrola, with 43,600 MW of installed capacity as of 2009,
is one of the top five largest energy companies internationally,
and has a wide-ranging approach to smart grid integration that
includes: construction of wind and hydroelectric and nuclear
plants, intelligent networking to allow quick and safe means of
producing real-time grid data, and the implementation of
recharging networks for electric vehicle integration. [47] A
recent initiative by Iberdrola is the PRIME (PoweRline
Intelligent Metering Evolution) project, which was launched
in order to assess the idea, define and test a new, future proof,
PLC based, open standard that could meet the future
requirements on customer real time interfacing and smart grid
evolution. PRIME defines lower layers of a PLC narrowband
data transmission system over the electric grid. [48] The end
objective of the PRIME Project is to establish a complete set
of standards on an international level that will permit
interoperability among equipment and systems from different
manufacturers. In this way, competition in the metering
market will occur for the benefit of consumers. Working on
7
this project are some of the most important industrial leaders
in the areas of metering, telecommunications and silicon
manufacturing, such as Advanced Digital Design, CURRENT
Group, Landis+Gyr, STMicroelectronics, Usyscom and ZIV.
A large number of European utilities have already expressed
their interest in joining the project. [49]
E. Utilities/Projects – Asia
1. Tianjin Electric Power Corporation (TEPCO)
Tianjin Electric Power Corporation (TEPCO) is a large, stateowned enterprise and a major contributor to the BeijingTianjin-Tangshan power grid in northern China. TEPCO is
one of the key players in the forthcoming Sino-Singapore
Tianjin Eco-city which is a strategic smart grid project
between China and Singapore to improve the living
environment and build an eco-culture starting April, 2010. The
total load in Tianjin Eco-city is estimated at 411.25MW. The
renewable generation will take 24.62% of the total generation
to meet the planning requirements of the Eco-city. In addition,
the project includes the following smart grid advancements:
distributed power generation, intelligent and standardized
transmission and distribution systems with energy storage and
diversified access; smart end use containing information
collection system, two-way interactive marketing system,
intelligent power district, building, home and electric car
charging/discharging station; a control and operation center
with intelligent operational risk assessment, early warning and
coordinated control of power supply security and optimal
scheduling functions; and other aspects such as multidimensional visualization platforms. [50]
2. Korea Smart Grid Institute (KGSI)
KSGI was launched in Aug. 2009 by the Ministry of
Knowledge Economy as the secretariat of Smart Grid
Initiative and projects in Korea of which the most noticeable
plan is the construction of a Smart Grid, Test-bed in Jeju
Island. Jeju Smart Grid will become the world’s largest Smart
Grid community that allows the testing of the most advanced
Smart Grid technologies and R&D results, as well as the
development of business models. A total of about $53.6
million will be invested between 2009 and 2013. From the
national standpoint, this project aims to raise energy efficiency
and implement green-energy infrastructure by building ecofriendly infrastructure that reduces CO2 emissions. From the
industrial standpoint, it seeks to secure a new growth engine
that will drive Korea in the age of green development. And
from an individual standpoint, this project is aimed at
enhancing quality of life through interactive participation of
consumers. [51]
F. Utilities/Projects – Australia
1. EnergyAustralia
EnergyAustralia is a State-owned corporation whose
shareholder is the New South Wales Government –
distributing electricity to the Sydney, Central Coast and
Hunter regions in New South Wales. It has the largest energy
network in Australia. It supplies electricity and gas, builds,
replaces and maintains its electricity network, sells electricity
and gas, and promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy
alternatives. Energy Australia along with GE and Grid Net are
spearheading one of Australia’s first commercial-scale smart
grid projects using the high-speed next-generation wireless
standard WiMAX. This $100 million smart grid project will
include the rollout of substation automation and electric
vehicles, as well as 50,000 smart meters and 15,000 home
energy displays. It will also include integrator IBM Australia,
utility AGL, transmission provider Transgrid and local
governments. [52]
IV. TECHNOLOGY AND GAP ANALYSIS
Across the industries of power generation, transmission,
distribution, and end-use there is a vast, encompassing push
for real-time communications, more accurate controls,
improved transmission systems, and integration software to
coordinate the components of the system into a smart grid.
While the term smart grid is defined differently by nearly
every group working on solutions to the growing electrical
needs of society, many of the technologies they are developing
are extremely similar. HVDC systems and FACTS are
providing more efficient methods of distributing power over
large distances, essential to the incorporation of renewable
energy sources, which are often in areas removed from where
the power is needed most. WAM and PMU infrastructures are
providing better means of visualization and operation of the
grid. Improved protective technologies, from better
components to improved cyber security and grid
communications, are helping to increase grid stability and
prevent outages. Advanced sensors are allowing grid operators
to see real-time demand on the system, allowing more
informed and efficient decisions to be made in order to
maintain continued high levels of grid reliability. Also, the
various automation and control software packages which are
being developed by many organizations in the field will
provide the means for the grid to become truly “smart” and
“self-healing”, by reacting nearly instantaneously to changing
grid conditions, from faults to load spikes to other major
disturbances. These software systems will integrate and
provide improved controls for network operations that fall
under the vast category of the smart grid, and will tie those
components together in a system which will be more efficient,
more stable, and more fluid. Many of these goals and the full
benefits promised by the smart grid paradigm are still far from
realization. Continued collaboration among all constituents is
imperative to achieving the objectives being set forth.
In addition, there are many gaps in the existing technologies
and standards which must be bridged before these smart grid
concepts can be fully realized. Firstly, and perhaps most
importantly, common communications methods must be
employed by the various organizations involved in the field.
The objective of integrating grid communications on a
national or even regional level is unattainable without the realtime information provided by standardized communications
networks. This real-time information must then be made
available to the end-user, the utility, and the energy provider
alike, in order to allow informed decisions to be made on the
timely use of power and to establish improved energy
management practices. Choosing when and how to use power,
however, will be irrelevant without the incentive of dynamic
demand-based pricing, which will require more intensive
8
regulation and standardization, in addition to information
access. Also, the challenge of integrating renewable
generation along with energy storage, on both utility and
distributed scales, must be met. Renewable energy
development continues to present unprecedented challenges
due to the stochastic, intermittent, and diurnal nature of the
resources. The development of much more efficient storage
methods and controls will allow that intermittency to be
alleviated, along with helping to levelize and shape the daily
demand used by consumers. The true challenge, however, is
that all of these gaps must be filled together, as many are
dependent upon one another. Only through successful
integration of this myriad of components, technologies and
processes, and collaboration among all participants can these
challenges be met successfully.
In the process of observing so many organizations within the
smart grid field, it has become evident that there are certain
tendencies permeating the industry. The first, and perhaps
most important, is that many players in the industry define
what a smart grid is in a differing manner from its
competitors, while some definitions are similar. This is largely
because the companies are not all focused on the same area of
development or on a common approach. For example, where a
software company might define the smart grid around
automation, controls, and cyber security, a transmission
company would define it around HVDC delivery systems and
the addition of FACTS to the existing grid, along with WAMs
and PMUs. Here can be seen another two trends. The first is
that many players in the field focus almost exclusively on
smart sensors or home level controls and smart meters, not
looking much at the grid beyond the end-use or perhaps the
distribution level. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there
are groups focusing on HVDC and FACTS, without as much
regard for the sensors or metering infrastructures being
designed and developed. With the goal of ultimately
automating the network to make it more efficient, these two
divergent approaches will need to be integrated more
efficiently as a system for the grid to operate to its potential.
That said, the trends towards automation, sensors, metering,
and better transmission are all very promising. Some of the
technologies that exist already would save the consumer and
the utility vast amounts of money if implemented in a dynamic
pricing network. And the transmission systems are providing
new and better ways to transmit power over long distances or
either underground or underwater. Finally, there is a nearly
industry-wide push for the integration of renewable energy
and energy storage to alleviate the stressed grid network.
Almost every company involved is looking at their integration
in some manner, and with such a vast amount of thought being
directed at the issue, it is only a matter of time before such
integration is achieved – collaboration and standardized
approaches are key to this process. Therefore, while there are
gaps that must be bridged for the grid to be truly successful,
the progress being made within the field is astounding, and
should provide confidence that the smart grid will be realized
sooner rather than later.
V. CONCLUSION
With demand for power increasing at a rapid rate worldwide,
the efficient production and delivery of power will become
more vital to the success of the power industry as a whole. To
achieve more efficient energy utilization, smart grid
components, such as improved communications systems,
automation software, transmission technologies, and storage
mechanisms, must be realized. Some of these, such as HVDC
and FACTS systems, monitoring and automation software,
and cyber security, are already being implemented. This
sample survey of the approaches and technologies of the
various international organizations involved in the field shows
that there is a true drive towards a smarter grid on all
continents, with emerging, enabling technologies to solve
many of the challenges faced by the industry today. However,
there are still gaps within those technologies and approaches;
still communication barriers between the various controls and
software packages offered by competitors; still a lack of
incentive for both the end-user and the utility; and still a lack
of standardization, all of which must be overcome before the
system can realize its full potential. When these challenges are
met, the smart grid will lead to more efficient energy
utilization, more efficient distribution, better quality of
service, and greater sustainability of precious energy
resources.
VI. FUTURE WORK
As indicated in the gap analysis there are numerous
organizations involved in smart grid research and development
that address this goal in diverse ways. Hence, there is a need
for methods and techniques that can bring about a standard
and uniform outlook towards smart grid development.
Furthermore, there is a need for development of advanced
control methods for balanced integration of renewable energy
resources into the power grid in real-time conditions. This, in
turn, calls for further research in to the various energy storage
technologies, since storage plays a vital role in facilitating
smooth integration of renewable energy with other forms of
energy generation. With the development of advanced
metering infrastructure there is need for development of more
sophisticated software to improve SCADA applications at all
levels of the grid i.e. generation, transmission & distribution
and the end user level. In addition, further advancement in
power electronics technologies (FACTS and HVDC) are
necessary for improved dynamic grid control. All of these are
areas being pursued as part of the University of Pittsburgh’s
power and energy research efforts.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to express our thanks for the number of
people and organizations that made this paper possible.
Firstly, we would like to thank Akshay Odugoudar for his
invaluable advice, the huge amount of knowledge he provided
us with, and his great assistance in the development of this
paper. Additionally, we would like to thank the Mascaro
Center for Sustainable Innovation at the University of
Pittsburgh for their funding and support of this work. In
addition, funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania –
Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, Eaton
Corporation, and Westinghouse Electric Company has helped
to make this work possible and is greatly appreciated.
9
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VII. BIOGRAPHIES
Gregory F. Reed (M’1985) is the director of the power and
energy initiative in the Swanson School of Engineering and
associate professor in the Electrical and Computer
Engineering Department at the University of Pittsburgh. He
also serves as the IEEE PES Vice President of Membership &
Image. He has 25 years of electric power industry experience,
including utility, manufacturing, and consulting at
Consolidated Edison Co. of NY, Mitsubishi Electric, and
KEMA Inc. He received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering
from Gannon University, Erie PA; his M. Eng. in Electric
Power Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
Troy NY; and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA.
Prince Abey Philip (M’2009) received his electronics and
instrumentation engineering degree from Anna University,
Chennai, India in 2006. Currently he is pursuing his masters at
the University of Pittsburgh. He worked with Arab Center for
Engineering Studies in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E, where he was
recruited as an instrumentation engineer. He is a member of
IEEE, and a member of the Power and Energy Society.
Ansel Barchowsky (B’2008) is currently a junior in the
Electrical Engineering program at the University of
Pittsburgh. He plans to pursue a concentration in electric
power, as well as a certificate in nuclear power. He was
awarded research funding by the Mascaro Center for
Sustainable Innovation.
Christopher J. Lippert (B'2008) is in his third year in the
Mechanical Engineering program at the University of
Pittsburgh. Further academic plans include a concentration in
product realization and a minor in Spanish. Chris was awarded
research funding by the Mascaro Center for Sustainable
Innovation.
Adam R. Sparacino (B'2007) is finishing his Bachelors’ of
Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of
Pittsburgh. Adam has interned for First Energy, at the Beaver
Valley Power Station, in their Electrical and I&C System
Engineering department where he dealt with switchyard
analysis and support. He is a student member of the IEEE.