The potential of smart grids for energy

The application of smart grid technology for energy promises to provide benefits to electricity consumers. Why? By better utilizing electricity system assets, consumer energy demands can be safely met. And this at a lower economic and environmental cost.

Renewable energy itself is a fundamental area of research due to its availability. And of course, also due to its viability in improving the environment. This fusion allows for the efficient use of renewable energy. A key challenge in the smart cities sector.

Climate change is largely attributed to greenhouse gas emissions. Most of them come from the widespread use of fossil resources. Despite the limited availability of these resources, the continuous and sustainable supply of electricity is vital to supporting modern economies around the world. And therefore, its demand is continuously increasing.

To avoid the risk of failure of the entire ecosystem, energy policies are oriented in two main directions:

The massive integration of renewable resources.
An improvement of the electrical system.

The ultimate goal is the implementation of an energy grid with much more intelligence than the existing one, which is necessary to balance the unpredictable generation from non-constant sources.

Another relevant aspect is that smart grids represent a unique opportunity to enable effective electrification in the so-called “third world”, where the availability of electrical services is not the norm, especially because this implementation depends heavily on information and communication technologies.

Use of Smart Grids to improve the use of energy efficiency technologies

Smart grid technology uses digital technology and communications to coordinate the actions of intelligent devices and systems throughout the electrical system. From generating networks created with transmission infrastructure to distributing energy to consumers.

Through automation, smart grid technology for energy can help provide the flexibility needed to integrate renewable energy generation. As well as improve efficiency in the delivery infrastructure of transmission, distribution, generation, and end-use systems.

The environment surrounding the smart grid is characterized by continuous and rapid development of technologies, regulations, and institutions. From early visionary concepts, smart grid actions are now emerging into a growth phase, a phase consisting of demonstrations with technology deployments.

Research is being conducted into how smart grids can be optimally used to manage the decentralized energy environments of the future. Also, how other technologies can offer opportunities to grid operators and energy producers. These include energy storage, stand-alone microgrids, and virtual power plants.

Smart Grids for Energy

It’s no exaggeration to say that the transformation of energy systems in many countries is a technological revolution. The new paradigm is to have more and more distributed facilities feeding electricity into the grid, rather than just a few centralized plants.

But since much of the electricity produced by such sources varies with the weather, maintaining a constant balance between supply and demand is difficult. Especially since failing to do so can reduce the quality of the voltage to connected electrical devices. Which can be a problem.

Smart grids for energy are the solution to this challenge. Carefully managed IT systems allow smart grids to combine a variety of energy producers. In addition to storage units with adjustable consumption devices to ensure grid stability, smart grids can actively participate in energy sales.

Finally, smart grid operations that allow for greater integration of renewable generation resources and energy efficiency can reduce the outflow of imported energy costs. Furthermore, they can reduce CO2 emissions.