Title: Smart Grid
Course: 2016FA-MCO-115-401 > Section: Module 2: Energy

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Smart Grid

The smart grid falls under the energy ciritical infrastructure sector. The concept of smart grid developed to meet the need for a more reliable, secure, flexible, and efficient system to not only provide power to the consumer, but also to involve them in the system.

Smart grid makes use of digital information and communications. It collects data and uses it in an automated process that improves reliability, efficiency, economics, and sustainability of the production and distribution of electricity [1]. Ideally, a smart grid system is able to use technology and communication to improve fault detection allowing for self-healing and load balancing. The smart grid uses smart meters as a means of communication and data collection. The Main Differences Between the standard electric grid and the smart grid are more clearly illustrated here: Traditional Grid vs. Smart Grid (EXTERNAL) This document can also be found later in this course.

Smart meters are digital meters that record electrical usage in real time (intervals of an hour or less) and enable communications with the smart grid. They record energy consumption and communicate it back to the utility for billing and monitoring [2]. Smart meters make possible a communication path extending from generation plants to electrical outlets and other smart grid enabled devices [1].

“Some manufacturers are now offering "smart" appliances -- appliances that can be connected to smart electric meters or home energy management systems to help you shift your electricity use to off-peak hours. Air conditioners, refrigerators, dishwashers, and other appliances may be available as smart appliances” [3].

The smart grid supports the “Green Button” idea. “The Green Button is the common-sense idea that electricity customers should be able to securely download their own detailed household or building energy usage information from their utility website” [4]. This concept reasons that informed consumers can make better decisions. New tools and apps are being developed that will work with the Green Button and energy consumers in California are already taking advantage of it.

Regulation

The standards that the smart grid in the United States will be held to are going to fall under the jurisdiction of SGIP (Smart Grid Interoperability Panel) who were created by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology).

Benefits

There will be many benefits to smart grid implementation and integration into our daily lives. Consumers will be better educated, more involved in their energy use decisions, and given more opportunities for making money saving choices. The reliability, availability and scalability of the energy infrastructure will improve. It will be possible to utilize more green or alternative energy, which will be good for the environment. Alternative energy integration will also help prepare for the eventuality of fossil fuels becoming too scarce or too expensive to use. Smart grid technology would allow for managed availability in times of emergency, keeping the power on in emergency services locations and for law enforcement. Providers will be able to remotely pinpoint problems when an outage occurs and can even implement a pathway around troubled areas to prevent outages from having a chain reaction. In the event of a fire, smart grid data will be helpful in investigations. Additionally, employment is already on the rise due to smart grid implementation.

Obstructions / Disadvantages

The energy infrastructure in the United States has lines and other components that are aging and are not designed to meet today’s high demand for electricity. Any work that we do to implement the smart grid must be done without interrupting the already challenged service we currently have.

Security issues are often mentioned as disadvantages to smart grid. The inclusion of so much technology in the power grid will create a never before experienced weakness, that of being prey to cyber-attacks. NIST has created groups like The Smart Grid Interoperability Panel – Cyber Security Working Group to form guidelines for smart grid cyber security.

The two-way communication provided by the smart grid generates a lot of data about customers (both individuals and businesses). Many speculate that the privacy of the consumer could be invaded with mishandling of data and fear that consumer privacy will take a hit for the sake of the smart grid. Regulations already in place in areas that relate to this data will have some authority over how it is handled. New regulations will likely also be created.  Consistent and comprehensive privacy standards will need to be put in place across the United States, and according to Energy.gov meetings have already taken place to begin creation of a voluntary code of conduct for data privacy [5].