In this blog post, we will look at how the smart grid can solve energy issues and become an alternative for a sustainable future.
Smart power grid – Smart grid
Since the discovery and distribution of electricity, the amount of electricity used by humans has steadily increased. Modern society has become so dependent on electricity that it cannot function for even a moment without electrical appliances. From home electronics to large-scale industries, electricity has become an essential resource for human civilization. In particular, after Edison invented the light bulb in the late 19th century, electricity spread rapidly, and the construction of power grids to stably supply electricity began. The power grid at the time was relatively simple, but as industrialization and urbanization progressed rapidly, the complexity of the power grid increased. Now, we have reached a point where more sophisticated and efficient management is needed to keep up with the demand for electricity.
Today, as we enter an era of increasing electricity demand and higher power quality, simply building more power plants to supply electricity is no longer enough to solve the problem. In particular, when electricity demand spikes during the summer, news reports frequently warn of power shortages. However, power plants cannot be increased indefinitely. Thermal power plants are accompanied by the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental pollution, and hydropower has its own limitations in terms of the amount of power generated. In addition, nuclear power plants have recently become the subject of greater social controversy due to safety issues.
For this reason, the development of alternative energy and power saving are emerging as essential tasks. Environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative energy such as wind power and solar power are being actively researched, and at the same time, there is a growing interest in ways to streamline power consumption through an intelligent power grid called the “smart grid.” A smart grid is a system that helps to manage the supply and consumption of electricity more intelligently by combining IT technology with a traditional power grid. It is an innovative power grid that enables the efficient use of power resources, going beyond simple power saving.
What is a smart grid?
A smart grid is an intelligent power grid system designed to allow interaction between power suppliers and consumers by incorporating information and communication technology (ICT) into the power grid. While the existing power grid was a system that unilaterally supplied power, the smart grid enables two-way communication, allowing real-time monitoring of power supply and demand. This allows for the analysis of power usage patterns and provides a way to produce and consume power more efficiently. For example, the introduction of smart electricity meters can help to identify and provide information on the demand and supply of electricity by time of day and location. Such smart systems can greatly contribute to reducing wasted surplus electricity and solving power-saving issues.
The introduction of smart grids will allow for flexible adjustment of power generation and consumption. The current power generation system cannot immediately reflect the volatility of power demand, so it is forced to generate more power than is actually used. As a result, more than 10% of the power required is actually used as surplus power. However, this surplus power is lost unless it is put to special use, which leads to energy waste. Although there is a way to utilize the excess power from the pumped-storage power plants, it has not been an effective solution due to its low output.
However, if the power demand is identified in real time through the smart grid, power production can be adjusted more efficiently. This will reduce the production of unnecessary excess power and minimize the waste of power resources. In addition, the smart grid can make the electricity rate system more reasonable. Currently, industrial electricity rates are structured so that rates are high during the day and low at night, but this is based on statistical data showing that power demand is higher during the day. However, in reality, there are limitations to this rate structure because power demand varies by time of day. By introducing a smart grid, a more sophisticated and reasonable rate structure can be established by reflecting real-time demand data.
In addition, smart grids can enable individuals to trade electricity with each other, thereby maximizing the use of power resources. For example, a system could be established in which individuals who own solar power generators can generate revenue by selling the power they generate. Individuals who own electric vehicles can also charge their vehicles at a low cost at night and sell the electricity when needed. This performs the same function as a pumped storage power plant, but is more efficient, and as a result, provides an efficient way for individuals to use their own energy resources.
Social Impact of the Smart Grid
Smart grids are a technology that can have a significant impact on society as a whole, going beyond simply improving the power supply system. The flexibility of the power grid strengthens the stability of the national economy, reduces energy waste, and contributes to environmental protection. In particular, smart grids, which have become an essential element for sustainable development, can play an important role in reducing carbon emissions.
Smart grids are currently being actively researched in many countries around the world, including the United States, Japan, and Germany, and South Korea is also conducting research by establishing a smart grid demonstration complex on Jeju Island. These demonstration complexes play an important role in experimenting with the possibilities of smart grids and accumulating the data necessary for large-scale introduction in the future. Through these studies, there is also active discussion on how smart grids can contribute to the global power grid.
So far, we have looked at the concept of the smart grid, its functions, and its potential social impact. The smart grid will play an important role in helping humanity move towards a sustainable energy system, which will bring about major changes in future energy policies. With the incorporation of advanced IT technology into the power grid, energy will no longer be a resource that is simply consumed, but one that can be managed more sophisticatedly and intelligently.
