The Smart Grid
The Smart Grid, also called power grid, intelligent grid, futuregrid, and intergrid, delivers electricity from suppliers to consumers using two-way digital technology to monitor and control all electrically operated devices (i.e. - lights, machinery, appliances, etc.) at energy consumers' facilities to save energy, reduce costs and increase reliability and transparency. It overlays the electricity distribution grid with an information and net metering system.
Such a modernized electricity network is being promoted by many governments as a way of addressing energy independence, global warming and emergency resilience issues. Smart meters may be part of a smart grid, but alone do not constitute a smart grid.
The smart grid is made possible by applying sensing, measurement and control devices with two-way communications to electricity production, transmission, distribution and consumption parts of the power grid that communicate information about grid condition to system users, operators and automated devices, making it possible to dynamically respond to changes in grid condition.
Like existing utility grids, a smart grid includes an intelligent monitoring system that keeps track of all electricity flowing in the system, but in more detail. Like the existing utility grid, it also has the capability of integrating Renewable Electricity generating systems such as solar and wind, but has the potential to do so more effectively.
When power is least expensive the user/consumer can allow the smart grid to turn on selected appliances such as washing machines or factory processes that can run at arbitrary hours. At peak times it could turn off selected appliances to reduce demand, whereby saving the consumer from purchasing energy at higher prices, while alleviating strain on the grid.
Intelligently managed, Smart Grid compatible monitoring solutions have been known to reduce some consumers’ electrical bills by over 30%.
Through it’s subsidiary, Encompass Group, Grid Cloud Solutions Inc. offers international Smart Grid compatible energy monitoring and management solutions.
Contact us today to see how we can help you and your community or company significantly reduce your energy bills..
Distributed Generation
Distributed generation, also called on-site generation, dispersed generation or distributed energy, generates electricity from many small energy sources.
Currently, industrial countries generate most of their electricity in large centralized facilities, such as fossil fuel, coal, gas powered, nuclear or hydropower electricity generating plants. These plants have excellent economies of scale, but usually transmit electricity over long distances and negatively affect the environment.
"Most power plants are built this way due to a number of economic, health & safety, logistical, environmental, geographical and geological factors. For example, coal power plants are built away from cities to prevent their heavy air pollution from affecting the populace. In addition, such plants are often built near collieries to minimize the cost of transporting coal. Hydroelectric plants are by their nature limited to operating at sites with sufficient water flow. Most power plants are often considered to be too far away for their waste heat to be used for heating buildings.
Distributed generation is a more sensible approach. It reduces the amount of energy lost in transmitting electricity because the electricity is generated very near where it is used, perhaps even in or on the same building. This also reduces the size and number of power lines that must be constructed for transmission purposes, while reducing the amount of energy that is lost during transmission over long distances.
Typical distributed generation power sources today have low maintenance, offer low pollution and high efficiencies. In the past, these traits required dedicated operating engineers and large complex plants to reduce pollution. However, modern embedded systems can provide these traits with automated operation and renewables, such as sunlight, wind and gasification. These sources can significantly reduce the size of power plant necessary while generating substantial profits.
A Controlled Smart Grid System
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A Smart Grid for Intelligent Energy Use
Without sufficient energy, the global standard of living will decline. Power generation contributes to 40% of the U.S. carbon footprint. Sustainable energy is the solution. Although many ask “Can we afford to change” the answer is “We can’t afford not to.”
Smart Grid: Enabling Operational Efficiency and Distributed Generation
Distributed management systems enable extensive communication and deeper insight into grid related problems. It supports remote monitoring and management of renewable energy systems through two-way energy flow and distributed generation. The necessary shift towards a smart, clean energy management and production system will not happen all it once – it is happening gradually through consorted efforts.