Smart Grid: Basic Smart Grid Terms and Acronyms

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Basic Smart Grid Terms and Acronyms

May 29, 2009 Talk Back Free Email Alerts More On This Topic

A
Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) . All components of the infrastructure relating to electric metering and communications. Includes meters capable of two-way communication. . . Power produced from green sources such as solar, hydropower, wind, and marine that emit little CO2 into the atmosphere. . . Services and support systems that aid in electricity transmission from power plants to customers, i.e., load regulation. . . Includes generally residential items, tools, and systems powered by electricity, including heating and cooling, lighting, refrigerators, washers/dryers, computer systems, electronics. . . Refers to procedures and policies intended to control costs, reduce risk, enhance performance, improve investment and project scheduling decisions, and deal with aged equipment. . . A measure of reliability that is expressed as the percentage of time the electrical system is available. . . Sensor-equipped meters capable of retrieving and transmitting power consumption and other information. .

Alternative generation

Ancillary services

Appliances

Asset management

Average System Availability Index (ASAI)

THE TUESDAY TOPIC

Do we need a Department of Homeland Cybersecurity?

A new report out from MIT says the grid is threatened and there are too many cybersecurity groups with too little enforcement power to keep it safe. Do we, as MIT researchers suggest, need a single agency? And, if so, where should it live - FERC? NERC? A brand new agency? That's this week's Tuesday topic in our discussion forum.

Automated meter reading (AMR)

B
Bank . A group of connected transformers or capacitorsa capacitor bank, for example. . . Considered a renewable fuel source for power generation. Includes wood and wood waste, municipal solid waste, crops, and biogas. . . A large-scale disruption in power supply caused by storms, age-related failure, exceeded line capacity, human error. . . Standard unit of measurement of a quantity of heat energy. . . Broadband Internet access made available over standard power lines. .

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Blackout

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British thermal unit (BTU)

Broadband over power line (BPL)

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Brownout

Building automation system (BAS)

Business case

Bypass

. An intentional voltage reduction on the grid intended to lessen load during shortages. Used in integrated networks. . . A system capable of computerized monitoring and control of a building's lighting and mechanical systems, and monitoring for performance and potential failure. . . A decision-making process intended to ascertain how a specific decision will affect profitability, and how cash flow, costs, and revenue will change. . . Equipment designed to provide continuous service when a meter is being tested or replaced. .

C
Capacitor . Stores energy, but in a manner completely different from a battery. Found in handheld electronics and have many additional uses. . The one-time setup cost of a project such as a generating plant, distinct and separate from continuing operating costs. . The conductor or path taken by electricity when it flows between terminals that are the source of supply. . Senses electrical overload and breaks a circuit. . Although recently used interchangeably with global warming, the term more accurately refers to a wide range of natural shifts in climate, including cooling. . A fully-connected circuit capable of delivering electric current. .

Business case Command and control Communications technologies Customer care Demand response Demand side management Distributed generation Distribution automation Energy efficiency Electric vehicles Global smart grid Grid optimization Home area networks IT and back office Lessons learned Markets and pricing Meter data management Microgrids Policy and regulation Projects Renewable energy Research and development SCADA Security Smart grid companies Smart homes Smart meters Standards Storage Strategy Transmission Utility resources

Capital cost

Circuit Circuit breaker Climate change

Closed circuit

Cogeneration Combined pump storage plant Command and Control

Compressed air energy storage (CAES)

Conductor

Congestion

Conservation voltage regulation (or reduction) (CVR) Cooperative (coop)

Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP)

Current

Current transformer Customer Average Interruption Duration Index

The reuse of thermal energy by connecting thermal electric generation with a thermal process, such as an industrial application. . A hydroelectric pumped storage facility that uses pumped water and stream flow to generate electricity. . Control centers capable of monitoring and managing the Smart Grid, providing remote diagnosis, and remote repair in some instances. . . Pre-compressed air, frequently stored in mines or salt caverns appropriate for the purpose. . . A pathway or wire through which electrical current flows. . . Excessive demand on the electric transmission network, typically resulting in a congestion charge to consumers to offset increased cost. . . Limiting voltage provided to electricity consumers to reduce demand and conserve energy. . . Non-profit, consumer-owned utility in rural areas of the U.S. . . Administered by NERC, CIP standards are intended to safeguard the North American bulk power system from attack and ensure utility compliance. . . Electricity flow through a circuit. Measured in amperes. . . Steps current down by a fixed amount so that it can be measured and recorded. . . A measure of reliability that represents the average

2010 SmartGridNews

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Interruption Duration Index (CAIDI) Customer information system (CIS)

y p g number of hours of each service interruption. . . A software application for handling customer calls, billing, and related operations. .

D
DC . Electricity that flows in one direction only. Abbreviation for direct current. . . To take a nuclear generating facility out of service. . . A Smart Grid feature that allows consumers to reduce or change their electrical use patterns during peak demand, usually in exchange for a financial incentive. . . Programs intended to encourage customers to modify the levels and patterns of their electricity consumption. . . The removal of regulations over a formerly-regulated industry or part of an industry. . . Delivering electricity from a local substation to nearby residences and businesses. . . Programs and technologies designed for an intelligent grid to ensure consistent power quality and reliability and accommodate two-way power flows. . . Sensors and other monitoring devices in remote locations intended for long-term operation in the field. . . Brings small-scale power generation facilities, particularly renewables, close to consumers to boost efficiency while lowering costs and reducing environmental risks. . . Remote sensors designed to monitor and regularly report temperature data along transmission and distribution feeders. .

Decommission

Demand response (DR)

Demand side management (DSM)

Deregulation

Distribution

Distribution automation (DA)

Distributed intelligence

Distributed generation

Distributed temperature sensing (DTS)

E
Electric energy . Typically refers to kilowatt hours in the electricity industry. . . Specifically, the rate of energy transfer, usually referred to as megawatts. . . Interconnected networks that provide electricity generation, transmission, and distributionand the lines, substations, and other associated equipment. . . An independent public interest energy and environmental research organization that focuses on challenges related to electric power. . . Public or privately-held companies that generate and/or deliver electricity in exchange for payment at rates set by an outside regulating authority. . . A vehicle propelled exclusively by one or more electric motors. . . A force field associated with an electric charge in motion that includes electric and magnetic components, commonly originating from high-voltage transmission lines. . . Enacted by Congress in 2007 to direct national energy policy. Title XIII of the act established the Federal

Electric power

Electric power grid

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

Electric utility

Electric vehicle (EV)

Electromagnetic field (EMF)

Energy Independence and S it A t (EISA)

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Security Act (EISA)

Energy service provider

policy. Title XIII of the act established the Federal Smart Grid Task Force. . . Typically an energy company that provides services to end users. .

F
Fault . A problem at a point in an electrical circuit, such as a short circuit. . . An independent agency responsible for regulating interstate transmission of electricity, high-voltage transmission systems, wholesale electricity sales, and aspects of oil, gas, and hydroelectric operations. . . Eliminated in 1977 and succeeded by the Department of Energy. . . Rechargeable high power and very high storage capacity battery, and used to level loads on the electrical grid. .

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Federal Power Commission (FPC)

Flow battery

G
Generation . Includes all forms of electricity production, such as coal- and gas-fired power plants, hydroelectric plants, and wind, and solar, and geothermal production. . . Digitally stores, analyzes, manages, and relays location-oriented data. Numerous GIS software applications are available. . . Taps the heat energy from fluids deep within the earth, and can be used directly for heating or for electricity production. . . One billion watts, or 1,000 megawatts. . . Gradual temperature increase near the Earth's surface created by cyclical climate changes and, increasingly, pollution from burning fossil fuels and other manmade sources. . . Gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, a variety of fluorocarbons, and methane that thicken the atmosphere and trap radiant energy near the Earth's surface. . . Another term for renewable energy. .

Geographic information system (GIS)

Geothermal energy

Gigawatt (gW)

Global warming

Greenhouse gases

Green power

H
Home area network (HAN) . Includes simple computer networking within the home and bundled data, voice, and video services provided by telephone companies. . . Monitoring and control systems for residential use such as heating and lighting controls, security, and appliance and electronics power consumption. . . A power plant that incorporates turbines generally driven by falling water. .

Home automation network

Hydroelectric plant

I
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) . Professional association dedicated to technology advancement and innovation, standards development, and publications. .

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International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)

Intelligent heuristic analysis system

Interruptible load

Investor-owned utility (IOU)

Independent system operator (ISO)

Islanding

. A non-governmental agency responsible for developing and publishing international standards for electrical, electronic, and associated technologies. . . A computer application that matches specific user requirements to its selection of methods to be used in data analysis. . . Electrical service that can be suspended during electric grid emergencies. Interruption is authorized by prior agreement between provider and consumer. . . A privately-held utility (not operated by a government entity or a consumer cooperative). . . An organization established by FERC to control and monitor electric power system operations, typically within one state. . . The ability to use distributed generation to provide power when storms or other events have knocked out the utility's ability to provide power. .

K
Kilovolt (kV) . 1,000 volts. . . 1,000 watts, which can be expressed as the amount of electricity required to illuminate ten 100-watt light bulbs. . . Electricity provided at the rate of 1,000 watts for one hour. .

Kilowatt (kW)

Kilowatt hour (kWh)

L
Line loss . The amount of electricity lostusually two to three percent of the totalon high-voltage transmission lines. . . A collection of strategies intended to reduce or move demand from peak to off-peak periods. . . Another term for load management. .

Load management

Load shifting

M
Megawatt (MW) . 1,000 kW. A megawatt is the standard measurement unit for electricity generation. . . Generally refers to any type of metering system, such as old electromechanical meters, and the advanced smart meters that are replacing them. . . Small-scale hydropower plant producing less than 100 kW of power (10 kW is enough to power a large home). . . Small combustion turbines capable of producing between 25 kW and 500 kW of power. . . Software interoperability specification intended to assist utilities in automation and data exchange between software applications. .

Metering

Microhydropower

Microturbines

MultiSpeak

N
National Institute of . A U.S. Department of Commerce agency charged

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Standards and Technology (NIST)

Net metering

Non-renewable energy

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

p g y g with identifying and evaluating standards and technologies relevant to Smart Grid adoption. . . Net metering allows consumers who contribute power to the grid to receive credit for at least a portion of that electricity. . . Electricity generation from sources that may only be used once, including natural gas, nuclear, and coal sources. . . Federal regulatory agency responsible for monitoring safety of nuclear reactors and radioactive materials, storage and disposal, and licensing. .

O
Off peak . A period of reduced electrical demand. . . Incorporates technologies such as GIS and smart meters to quickly locate and manage outages. .

Outage management

P
Peak demand . The period of time when demand for electricity is at its highest. . . More energy-efficient than traditional gas turbines, and used in compressed air generation and storage systems. . . Refers to power use in appliances after they are turned off. Almost all electronics, clocks, and remote controls continue to consume power, even when "off." . . Phasors help detect and mitigate congestion at various points on the grid by sampling voltage and current several times a second. . . Solar cells grouped in modules, then linked together in arrays to transform sunlight into electricity. R&D in materials and systems is accelerating phenomenally. . . Power plants include both rechargeable batteries and internal combustion engines. Toyota's Prius and Honda's Insight are examples of popular PHEVs. . . Extremely toxic and stable chemicals used in the manufacture of transformers, capacitors, lubricants, and some household items until banned in 1979. . . Energy storage systems, power converters, control systems, and system integration hardware used in power transmission and distribution. . . Recent legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to give federal regulators more authority to secure the electrical grid and protect it from cyberattack. . . A state agency responsible for setting rates and regulating services and other activities of electric, gas, and telecommunications utilities operating within its state boundaries. . . A single-purpose district established for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity or other services. Boundaries frequently extend beyond local jurisdictions. . . Electricity bought from other providers. .

Peaking gas turbine plant

Phantom load

Phasor measurement unit (PMU)

Photovoltaic (PV) system

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Power electronics

Protection

Public utility commission (PUC)

Public utility district (PUD)

Purchased power

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R
Rate . The charges electric utilities assess customers for power delivery, expressed per unit or level of use over a fixed time period, i.e., monthly. . . A utility's property value that determines the utility's permitted rate of return. That rate is set by a regulatory agency. . . A request filed by an electric utility for a consumer price increase with the appropriate state public utility commissions. . . Expressed as a percentage. Rate of return represents the ratio of net operating income a utility earns and determined as a percentage of its rate base. . . Incorporates the financial terms and conditions of an electric utility that delivers service to its customers. . . A policy of charging consumers varying rates for a service to reflect frequent cost fluctuations occurring over time, as opposed to fixed pricing. . . Fuel purchases. . . An organization established at the direction of FERC to control the electrical power transmission system in a service area that extends beyond state borders. . . The overall responsibilities of government agencies that oversee industries, including monitoring and administering enforcement of compliance with applicable laws and policies. . . Consistent, cost-effective delivery of quality electric power. Reliability is a primary issue addressed by the Smart Grid and industry restructuring. . . Power provided by renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and biomass. . . The class of consumers who use electricity to power heating and lighting systems and appliances in private homes or apartment dwellings. . . An intentional disruption that rotates through small areas to avoid a full-scale blackout and to reduce customer inconvenience. Used in radial systems. .

Rate base

Rate case

Rate of return

Rate schedule

Real-time pricing

Receipts

Regional transmission operator (RTO)

Regulation

Reliability

Renewable energy

Residential

Rolling blackout

S
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) . A computer system that monitors an industrial, infrastructure, or facility-based control process. . . Issues largely pertain to cyberattacks and other intentional grid disruptions. Regulators have accused the industry of trying to avoid complying with security standards. . . A significant component of the electrical grid, sensors are used in several ways: temperature monitoring, security, providing data for peak demand adjustment. They are an integral component of a Smart Grid. . . Territory defined as the area utilities are required to or have the right to provide electricity to consumers. . . An unintended low-resistance electrical connection that can cause circuit damage, overheating, and other problems. .

Security

Sensor

Service area

Short circuit

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Single-phase service

Smart Grid

Smart meter

Solar energy

Solid waste energy

Standards

Step down Step up

Storage

Substation

Sustained outage

Synchrophasor (synchronized phasor)

. . Usually 120-volt or 240-volt service for homes and businesses. . . A digitization and modernization plan for an intelligent electric grid intended to conserve energy, reduce costs, and increase reliability and energy independence. . . Gathers and transmits detailed consumption data back to the local utility for monitoring and billing. Also monitors for power quality and outages. . . Energy from the sun converted to electricity by a photovoltaic system incorporating solar cells (panels). . . Another term for biomass. . . Critical to the industry, codified and administered standards ensure reliability, efficiency, and interoperability. Typically administered by government entities such as FERC and state PUCs. . . To reduce circuit voltage with a transformer. . . To increase circuit voltage with a transformer. . . A general term for a variety of power storage technologies, including pumped storage, fuel cells, batteries, flywheels, and more. . . The site where equipment for switching or regulating electrical voltage is located. . . .A power outage of more than two minutes. . . .Takes real-time measurements of the amount of electricity throughout a system. Can improve reliability by providing data for precise load management. .

T
Thermal limit . The most electricity a transmission line can bear without risk of damage caused by heat deterioration. . . Electric service to manufacturing and other industries and facilities that usually require more power than 120 volts or 240 volts. . . Energy generated by focusing the ebb and flow of ocean tides through reversible turbines located in a dam. . . The rate charged to electric utility customers based on the varying costs of delivering service at different times throughout the day. . . An energy cost reduction measure that permits consumers to operate during off-peak hours. . . The delivery of bulk high-voltage electricity from the generating plant to substations and the distribution system. . . Equipment that produces rotary mechanical power from water, steam, or hot gas. .

Three-phase service

Tidal energy

Time of day rate

Time of use (TOU)

Transmission

Turbine

U
Ultracapacitor . A capacitor used in large-scale applications, such as powering a bus

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powering a bus. .

V
Voltage . A measurement of the force of electric current. .

W
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) .. Wireless transmission based on the IEEE802.16 standard for mobile Internet access, using multiple links for transmission. Similar to Wi-Fi but covers larger areas. . .. Power generated by the motion of the wind captured by large propeller-like blades and transmitted to wind turbines. . . Automates operations such as handling trouble calls, repair crew dispatch, tracking field services, and enhancing communications. .

Wind energy

Workforce management system (WFM)

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