Smart Grid
Chad Hickman
4/1/2015
Abstract
Smart grid is a term that is used to describe the incorporation of all of the elements
connected in the electric grid. It is a modernized electric grid that uses analog or digital
information and communications technology to gather and act on information-such as
information about the behaviors of suppliers and consumers - in an automated fashion to
improve the efficiency, reliability, economics, and sustainability of the production and
distribution of electricity. (Smart Grid) This new smart grid technology has many benefits to
consumers and providers of electricity by providing a means of control over energy usage and
cost. Users can now monitor their usage online which allows for a more cost efficient means of
receiving electricity. This technology is a necessity for the future of this world because it
provides a safer form of transferring electricity while not wasting electricity. Electricity will
always be an increasing necessity in the world and the smart grid provides a more efficient
method in providing electricity to consumers around the world. It is basically a way of
computerizing the electric grid, allowing millions of different elements to be controlled by one
central unit. This is the future of providing electricity.
Introduction
The smart grid technology is a crucial part in the future of the entire world and is
the next step in developing. As of today, the global way of providing electricity is through the
electric grid which has its negatives. Instead of utility companies sending workers to read
meters, fix equipment, or search for issues, we now have a way to control all of this from a
central computer system. This system alone can check all of this and instead of needing workers
to go around checking every piece of equipment, which is very inefficient, we can find a
problem by evaluating the smart grid. Some other benefits of this modern technology include
enhanced cyber security, handling other sources of electricity like solar or wind power, and even
the ability to add electric vehicles to the grid. The increase in technology these days now give us
many more possibilities and one of these is the ability to integrate smart grid technology.
Background
The first alternating current grid was installed in 1886 and this was the first system of
electric power transmission and electricity distribution (Smart Grid). As technology advanced,
so did the electric grids. By the 1960’s the electric grids for developed countries had become
larger than ever before with thousands of central generation power stations delivering power to
major loading centers (Smart Grid). Most of these stations back then were coal, gas, or oil
powered and at the time were extremely cost effective. Many different stations could be added
to this grid including hydro-electric dams in mountain areas, nuclear power plants, fossil fuel
reserves, etc. Although some of these are considered very polluting, these grew and by 1960, a
majority of the population of developed countries had access to the electric grid. With the
electric grid, the only way to measure usage was by meters which allowed for the appropriate
billing of the user. Between the 1970’s and 1990’s, growing demand for electricity led to an
increase in power stations and sometimes, these stations couldn’t supply the required demand
(Smart Grid). Power was used for industry, heating, communication, entertainment, lighting,
and much more.
Figure 1: The Traditional Electric Grid
But with the inability to supply, some power stations put out poor power quality which resulted
in high costs to the electric companies. Because of this inefficiency in providing, growth of the
world, and an increasing demand for electricity, the smart grid was introduced. (Smart Grid)
What is Smart Grid?
Smart grid is basically a combination of the current electric grid described below and
information technologies. It is the “modern” electric grid that now uses a computer based
control and automation system. It will allow a two way communication system between the
utilities on it and their users (What is the smart grid). The smart grid is a more efficient way of
transferring power by sensing the transmission lines and utilities using new technological
equipment, computers, controls, and automation (What is the smart grid). Everything involved
in the smart grid will make it simpler for the user to receive power and know how much power
they used while ultimately lowering power costs because of the increased efficiency.
Figure 2:Smart Grid
Some benefits of smart grid include:
1. More efficient transmission of electricity
2. Quicker restoration of power during an outage
3. Reduced operations and management costs
4. Reduced consumer power costs
5. Increased integration of renewable energy systems
6. Cleaner energy transfer
7. Improved security
(What is the smart grid)
Increase in Control
Although the smart grid is an improvement in utilities and technologies, it is also about
giving the user the option to make choices about energy use by providing the information and
tools needed. This idea is kind of like controlling your banking electronically except it is with
electricity. One example of this is with the billing. Smart grid gets rid of the complication with
monthly billing statements as you no longer need to wait each month to know how much
electricity you have used (What is the smart grid). By replacing the current meters with “smart
meters” the user can now see how much electricity is used, when it is used, and the cost of this
electricity (What is the smart grid). Along with the “smart meters” comes the concept of “real
time pricing.” This concept will allow the user to essentially use less power when electricity is
most expensive which saves them money (What is the smart grid). With this increase in control
comes a decrease in cost for electricity. You can even make money from this system by
generating your own power and sending it to the grid.
Renewable Energy
Today, our energy is moving from fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources to
renewable resources. Although it is a work in progress, the plan is to secure a higher percentage
of clean, renewable resources. But, without the proper grid, this can’t be possible. One of the
issues with these renewable resources is that wind, solar, and geothermal resources are mostly
located in remote place while the demand for this power is mostly in urban areas (What is the
smart grid). With the smart grid, this power can be transferred from these remote places into
the urban areas. So instead of these cities using mostly non-renewable power sources which
creates a great amount of pollution, they can now get there power from the cleaner, renewable
sources from far away. Other than the issues with geography, the current grid contains issues of
accommodating wind and solar power (What is the smart grid). As these resources continue to
increase the amount of power supplied to the grid, it is becoming more difficult to
accommodate it into the grid (What is the smart grid). The smart grid will allow for better use of
these resources. Some advantages of the smart grid include being able to store excess energy
on the grid when the energy isn’t needed and then release the energy when it dips (What is the
smart grid).
Figure 3: Solar and Wind Power
Modernization Opportunities
Since the 21st century, there has been a need for an improvement in electronic
communication to resolve the limitations and costs of the current electric grid. There is also a
large, growing concern for environmental damage over fossil-fueled power stations which leads
to a desire to use more renewable energy. This want for more renewable energy sources leads
to the increase in wind and solar power sources which need a more sophisticated form of
controlling them. With this comes the smart grid. These renewable energy sources need
centralized power stations so that the power generated can be stored and consumed. The most
efficient way to do this will be to have a smart grid that controls the energy being used and the
energy being stored in a cost effective way. Eventually, with all of the increases in the renewable
energy sources, the need for a smart grid to control these energy stations will only increase.
Technologies
Integrating Communications: allows for real time control, optimizes system reliability, asset
utilization, and security (Smart grid)
Sensing and measurement: advanced switches and cables, enhanced monitoring systems,
monitoring equipment health, prevents energy theft, the smart meter, real time pricing (Smart
grid)
Phasor measurement units: these units represent the magnitude and phase of alternating
voltage and are placed throughout a transmission network (Smart grid)
Distributed power flow control: these devices clamp on to transmission lines to control the flow
of power. This allows for easier storage of energy which can be used for later use (Smart grid)
Stakeholders
One of the more important leaders in this smart grid movement is the Office of
Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE). OE has partnered with key stakeholders from all
departments including industry, academia, and state governments to make progress in
modernizing the nation’s electricity delivery system. The central goal that all of these
stakeholders have in common is that they identify research and development that address the
challenges and progresses that it takes to create a smarter grid for all of the nation to have.
(Smart Grid, energy.gov) In doing this, the stakeholders must support demonstration of not only
new smart grid technologies, but also new business models, policies and social benefits. (Smart
Grid, energy.gov) OE is currently in cooperation with the National Science and Technology
Council (NSTC) Subcommittee on Smart Grid and the Federal Smart Grid Task Force.
National Science and Technology Council: Chaired by the Assistant Secretary for OE and the
National Director for Smart Grid at NIST. The NSTC has a vision for a smarter grid that includes
the main priorities and opportunities it represents. They are focused on facilitating a strong
effort across federal agencies to develop the smart grid policy and developing a policy
framework for the 21st century grid. The main purpose is to provide Americans will benefit from
these investments in the electric infrastructure. Some of these benefits include: better
alignment of economic incentives; development of smart grid technologies; focus on greater
standards ad innovations; consumers have the ability to save and store energy; privacy; cheaper
bill; improved security. (Smart Grid, energy.gov)
Federal Smart Grid Task Force: The Task Force includes experts from the departments of
agriculture, commerce, defense, homeland security, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC), the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Federal Communications Commission.
Their mission is to ensure awareness and integration of the federal activities related to smart
grid technologies and practices. (Smart Grid, energy.gov) They coordinate federal research,
development and demonstration, international activities, and outreach and education efforts.
(Smart Grid, energy.gov)
To get more stakeholders to join the movement of the smart grid, OE focuses on smart
grid demonstrations and deployment activities, research and development of the smart grid,
interoperability and standards activities, interconnection planning and analysis activities,
workforce development, stakeholder engagement and outreach activities, and monitoring
national progress activities. OE uses all of these different ways to develop relationships with
current stakeholders and finding new, reliable stakeholders. Their effort in doing this will
account for a huge part in the development of the smart grid technologies.
Concerns
The Smart Meter: Most of the concerns by consumers evolve around the smart meter. Some of
these concerns include:

Privacy

Social concerns over fair availability of electricity

Thinks supplier can take advantage of the customer by having a complex rate
system

Concern about a remotely controlled “killswitch” that will be in the smart meters

Concern about giving the government mechanisms to control the use of all
power using activities

RF emissions from smart meters
Security: There is also concern about the security of the smart grid especially with the
increasing risk of cybercrime. This main concern is focused around the whole idea of a central
communications unit that gives electricity to an uncountable number of technologies. Of course
this can cause for a potential terrorist threat because terrorists could potentially target this
central unit which could cut off electricity to anyone or anything connected to that unit. As said
before the “killswitch” in the smart meters could be a potential cyber terrorist target. The smart
grid will have to assure the safety of this smart grid before it can become a nationally used
thing.
There is also the concern for electricity theft. People with knowledge on electronics can
potentially find a way to make the smart meter show less usage then they really had using an
interference device. Then, they can put that electricity not shown on their bill to another
consumer, increasing that customer’s bill.
As with everything, the smart grid does come with some potential security issues so for
this to be the infrastructure of the future, these issues have to be addressed.
Conclusion
The smart grid is the future method of handling all of the technologies and electrical
power that is produced by the world. It is already being used today and has many benefits to it.
With the smart grid, we will now be able to communicate with almost every piece of technology
on it which allows us to monitor them, measure them, and fix them. It allows for a cleaner
method of distributing power and could possibly allow for power to be moved across large
masses of land. The advantages of implementing smart grid are great and can change the way
we look at the resources that we use. This is the future and is the safer, more efficient way for
the world to get power and have it transmitted.
Citations
Smart Grid. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2015, from http://energy.gov/oe/services/technologydevelopment/smart-grid
Smart grid. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_grid
Brunschwiler, C. (2013, January 14). Compass Security Blog. Retrieved February 17, 2015, from
http://blog.csnc.ch/2013/01/introduction-to-the-electrical-grid/
What is the Smart Grid? (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2015, from
https://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_grid/smart_grid
Smart Grid. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2015, from
http://www.hitachi.com/environment/showcase/solution/energy/smartgrid.html
What is the Smart Grid? (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2015, from
https://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_grid/renewable_energy