"Smart grid" is a term recognized now in many circles, but why exactly does the grid need
to
be smarter? For one, the current power grid has trouble matching power supply and
demand,
wasting energy or leading to outages. Power must be generated from a relatively small
number
of very large facilities, and in quantities that meticulously fit the predicted load
curve.
This problem stems partly from the fact that the grid was built to facilitate only
unidirectional flow of power and control – a topology that is increasingly more costly
to
maintain. This means that today’s infrastructure is not only less efficient and less
robust,
but it is also incapable of incorporating a significant amount of renewable and
non-dispatchable energy sources into the grid.
Viewed at its highest level, the smart grid can be understood as any and all
technologies,
standards, and practices that contribute to a more efficient and more reliable power
grid.
Simply enabling greater consumer participation can accomplish much of this, and
is an
overarching goal of smart grid. Dynamic energy pricing allows consumers to adjust when
and
how high-load devices are used, ultimately lowering energy bills and reducing the demand
spikes which can lead to power outages. A smart appliance can even do this
automatically,
optimizing its operation to minimize cost and waste – a feature of smart grid called
"prices-to-devices".
Smart grid technology promises this and many additional methods for reducing waste,
lowering
peak demand, improving grid reliability, and integrating renewable resources. The
roll-out
of smart meter devices has been significant and smart grid technology continues to gain
momentum with each new innovation. The power grid may have been created "dumb", but
Mouser
Electronics offers the newest products and tools to help raise its IQ.
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