Notes on Smart Grids: Basics to Advanced Technologies

Course Introduction

• Topic: Smart Grids
• Focus: Comparison between conventional power grids and smart grid technologies.
• Key Features of Smart Grids:
  • Incorporation of smart components and techniques.
  • Technologies: Wide Area Monitoring Systems, Islanding Detection, Phasor Estimation, Digital Relays.
  • Demand response management.
• Previous Course: Introduction to Smart Grid, which covered fundamentals.
  • Positive feedback and successful completion of the course noted.
  • New course offers additional lab exposure along with theory.

Course Outline

• New Laboratory Experiments Added:
  • Solar and Wind generation experiments.
  • Fault analysis of grid connected DFIG wind turbine.
  • Grid connected DC microgrid experiments.
  • Peak energy management techniques using energy storage and battery management.

Understanding the Electrical Energy Grid

• Definition:
  • Network of synchronized power providers and consumers connected by transmission and distribution lines.
• Components of electrical grid:
  • Generation Stations, Transmission Lines, Substations, Transformers.
• Voltage Ratings:
  • High voltage AC (e.g., 800/765 kV, 400 kV) and high voltage DC lines (e.g., 500 kV).
• Customers:
  • Primary (33 kV), Secondary (11 kV), and Residential (400 V).
• Historical Perspective:
  • Evolution from DC (Edison) to AC systems (Tesla) due to efficiency.
  • DC still plays a role but AC is predominant due to cost and distance efficiency.

India's Electrical Grid Development

• Historical growth of India's grid since the 1960s:
  • Formation of regional grids and synchronization of national grid.
  • Central grid established with one frequency by December 2013.
• Key Regulatory Bodies:
  • Ministry of Power, Power Grid Corporation of India, Central Electricity Authority, and others.

Future Energy Demands

• Global Energy Demand:
  • Expected increase of 25% by 2040, with India contributing 45% of the growth.
• Major Energy Sources in India:
  • Coal (59%), Renewable (17%), Hydro (14%), Nuclear and Gas (single to double digits).
  • Electricity generation capacity (326.8 GW as of March 2017).
  • High network losses (22.7%) need reduction through better efficiency and smart technologies.
• Renewable Energy Growth Projections:
  • Significant increases expected in solar and wind energy installations by 2020.

Challenges of the Existing Grid

• Increasing electricity demand vs. supply shortfalls.
• Need for improved peak demand management without long lead times.
• Integration of renewable energy technologies and solutions to overcome operational challenges.
  • Addressing aging assets and technology upgrades.
  • Securing reliable electricity supply amidst growing loads.

Smart Grid Definition and Functionality

• What Makes a Grid Smart?
  • Two-way communication systems for electricity and information flow.
• Benefits of Smart Grids:
  • Improved energy management, cost savings, real-time consumption data.
  • Integration of consumer-owned generation (rooftop solar).
• Standards and Definitions:
  • Various international standards highlight the importance of reliable communication and system optimization.
  • Examples:
    • European Technology Platform: Intelligent integration for sustainable supply.
    • U.S. Department of Energy: Fully automated network with two-way information flows.

Architecture and Components of Smart Grids

• Smart Grid Architecture Includes:
  • Energy Management Systems connecting renewable sources and conventional power.
• Main Components:
  • Smart Infrastructure, Smart Communication, Smart Management, Smart Protection.
  • Smart Energy System and Smart Information System domains.

Conclusion and Future Learning

• Next lecture will elaborate on detailed components and applications of smart grids.
• Importance of adapting newer technologies and strategies for enhanced grid functionality.