CJ West Oz Topic #24 The Smart Grid Introduction The modern world relies on electricity completely. Every aspect of this era of society functions because of the technologies developed and their reliance on the discovery of electricity. From industrial production to peer to peer communication the world runs on electricity. The method by which electricity is transmitted and distributed and the efficiency of the process is integral to the progress and sustainability of this modern world. The method currently implemented to fulfil this purpose is termed “the grid.” The grid in the United States of America is an intricate and delicate infrastructure spanning across the country, deservingly titled the largest machine in the world. The Problem The concern being faced now is that the grid currently being used in the U.S. is the same which was implemented in 1926 (1), a nearly century old system. The average household in the U.S. uses 903 voltage. Therefore electricity which is traveling at a higher voltage must be “ramped down” or sent through mechanisms which lower the voltage. This process is continued repeatedly until it reaches a very low voltage level which is enough for consumers to use. This process is similar to sending a thick liquid through a tube and continually watering it down so it will adequately fit in to repeatedly shrinking tubes. There is a loss, a congestion, in the process before ultimately reaching the end destination. A Solution The trouble with the current grid system effects both the producers of electricity and the consumers. This is also where two solutions can be implemented in order to improve the infrastructure. One will be through the producer, updating transmission and d... ... middle of paper ... ...bits but also upgrading all existing appliances, even if over the course of decades, is incredibly difficult to implement logically and frugally. Finally is the hurdle of policy. Governments and corporations must agree and participate in the switch to a smart grid, which contrary to current trends, favors renewable energy. Policies and practices must change to make a smart grid effective, which would be the greatest challenge of all. Conclusion While incredibly expensive and demanding, these practices can have an equally incredible effect on energy production and energy use, consequently improving our effect on the Earth’s delicate ecosystem, securing our energy-thirsty society, and lowering energy costs. With or without perspective of global climate change, there are many benefits to implementing such a radical change in the energy supply system.
Greater shift towards smart grids, smart metering and building automation: Smart grids helps in intelligent distribution resulting in minimal losses whereas measurement and reporting of consumption in real time is achieved by smart meters.
On August 14th, 2003, a major blackout swept across portions of the northeastern United States and Canada. It was reported that a series of equipment outages in the Midwest led to uncontrolled cascading outages of power transmission lines and generators serving parts of the Northeast, Midwest and Canada. Automatic protective systems operated to open circuits and shut down power plants to prevent further spread of the outages. This is very similar to what happened in The Great Northeast Blackout of 1965. In both situations, the “grid system” shut down one generator in line at a time to protect a surge from the station before it.
Instilling this new way of energy usage into off-grid communities will inevitably increase the state of living for those in cities and other well-populated areas. The change to renewable energy sources could drastically lower the pollutants currently being dispersed into the atmosphere by coal mines and other harmful power options, increasing the supply of renewable energy would allow us to replace carbon-intensive energy sources and significantly reduce U.S. global warming emissions. a 25 percent by 2025 national renewable electricity standard would lower power plant CO2 emissions 277 million metric tons annually by 2025—the equivalent of the annual output from 70 typical (600 MW) new coal plants (“Benefits of Renewable Energy Use”). Electricity production accounts for more than one-third of U.S. global warming emissions, with the majority generated by coal-fired power plants.
Upon signing the deregulation policies, California allowed for wholesale electricity and put a freeze on retail rates. (The Economist, 2001) In an article titled, “A state of gloom”, a publication called “The Economist” states that this “Catastrophe has been looming for some time now.
“Electricity”─ It’s a word you did not hear often before the 1920’s. With the invention of the hydroelectric dam in the early 1920’s many citizens could now afford electricity in their homes. Along with that came inventions such as the telephone, revolutionizing the way that we communicated. Before the telephone, communication could only happen through mail. Depending on the situation, that could take 6-7 days. Then came inventions like the electric refrigerator, stove, iron and radio.
After they either went all the way to the highest voltage or they gave up, they were told that the
[7] W.M. Xiao. “High voltage: the current debate about AC-DC” (2012, Jan 08). [Online]. Available: http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/science/high-voltage-the-current-debate-about-ac-dc#page2
Are Smart Microgrids in Your Future? Exploring Challenges and Opportunities for State Public Utility Regulators
Second, the reliability of electricity was compromised throughout many parts of our state, affecting both residential and business sectors. On June 14, 2000, about 100,000 customers were blacked out in San Francisco Bay Area (Kahn and Lynch 9-10). According to Lorenco Goncalves, the CEO of California steel industries, “We were interrupted 14 times this month [January] compared to not once from 1987 to 1998. So many other industries depend on what we send them…If they can’t depend on my products, they will [buy them] elsewhere” (Wood and Sherer). These uncertain interruptions are causing a lot of damage in our economy.
Electricity and electrical components are a major part of our lives today. Our lives pretty much come to a halt if there is a power outage or if our electrical devices stop working, sometimes we even start panicking because we are so dependent on these components that we cannot afford to lose them and their importance and use only increases as time passes. We all use these electrical devices and also electricity itself but most of us do not think about the math and physics that works behind all of these things.
C. As current is supplied to the coil a voltage is generated in the iron rod. When the current is cut off there is no voltage created.
The electric use will not give off pollution that is unhealthy for the environment and its
The cheapest way to generate electricity, today, is hydropower. The reason for that is, once a dam has been constructed and equipment installed, the source of the energy is free. It is a fuel source that is renewable because of things like snow and rainfall. Engineers may control the water flow on demand.
Using fossil fuels such as coal and oil is inefficient, dangerous, and otherwise a process that is known to eventually fail as a long lasting energy source. Yet, there is hope for the future of energy, this new hope has many shapes and forms, but requires a chance to be fully implemented in our everyday life. Such energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and hydro power are the key to our future. These energy sources are proven to be long lasting, safe, more reliable, and the next innovation. In short, all Americans should switch to renewable energy, resulting in a safer and more efficient world.