1. INTRODUCTION
To sustain our modern society, we need an uninterrupted supply of electricity. The
worlds annual electricity generation was 20,250 TWh in the year 2012 and is
expected to be 25,500 TWh in the year 2020 [1].
The existing power grid provides one-way distribution of electricity from the
power generator to consumers. The basic structure has not changed for about 100
years. It is known to be inefficient and unreliable. As a result of its low efficiency, the
power industry is faced with unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Experiences
have shown that it is not suitable for 21st century.
The word smart in smart grid refers to the notion of a power grid with
intelligence. The main objective of the smart grid is to bring reliability, flexibility,
efficiency, and robustness to the power system. Smart grid does this by introducing
two-way data communications into the power grid. Thus the smart grid consists of
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Smart Grid
Electromechanical
Digital
One-way communication
Two-way communication
Centralized generation
Distributed generation
Few sensors
Manual monitoring
Self-monitoring
Manual restoration
Self-healing
Limited control
Pervasive control
From the technical point of view, the smart grid can be divided into three major
systems [4]:
The smart grid is made possible by applying sensors, smart meters, and field
automated devices to the electrical power grid. The grid can predict, adapt, and
reconfigure itself reliably and efficiently. It will be able to handle uncertainties in
schedules, power transfer across regions, managing and resolving unpredictable
events, and meeting the demand for reliable supply [5]. In doing so, the smart grid
offers several benefits to both the power grid and the energy consumers such as:
reduction in transmission congestion, reduced blackouts and forced outages, selfdiagnosis, self-healing, peak demand shaving, increased system capacity, increased
power system security and reduced vulnerability, and ease in managing hybrid and
electric vehicles. Indispensable to the functioning of a smart grid are considerations
dealing with: energy storage, advanced meters and sensors, grid-friendly plug-in
hybrids, grid-friendly loads, substation and distribution automation, communications,
data-intensive analysis, visualization and human interface, and renewable energy
integration involving weather prediction and control [7]. Load shaping is one of the
important and challenging issues in power grid. Smart grids employ novel load
shaping strategies based on energy storage and dynamic pricing. A consumer would
sign up for a nominal quota of energy from the grid. If the usage exceeds the quota,
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3. SECURITY
As we move from legacy power systems to more modern smart grid systems, security
will be a big issue. For any new system, security has to be part of system design [6].
Security has been a major concern from the advent of the smart grid concept.
It is the key factor in system design at each level of smart grid from metering to
remote sensing and control networks.
The most valuable promise of smart grid is the reliability and security of the
power system. Disruptions to the system can be due to weather or natural disasters.
Security detects whether the system is in a secure state or an alert state. The system is
secure when there are no limit violations. It is alert when particular limits are violated
[5].
4. CONCLUSION
The smart grid is the latest development for the electric power system. Although the
term smart grid does not have a precise, uniformly accepted definition, it is
commonly regarded as a digital upgrade of the existing power system. It promotes
clean energy, controls energy consumption pattern and brings security to the grid. The
future smart grid should enhance the security and reliability of the power system. The
implementation of smart grid will be a long continuous process because it involves
technological and financial investment. It also involves international effort. The
government of each nation will need to develop a policy for implementing smart grid.
As the smart grid moves in peoples living room, the focus will significantly change
to marketing to consumers. A good source of information about smart grid is the
IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid (2010 present).
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[6]
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[9]
[10]
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