Building more efficient, dynamic smart grids to the energy future

(Picture credit: EMA)

With the growing adoption of smart grid projects worldwide by various jurisdictions, utilities and application solution providers, there is aa need for exchange of knowledge and expertise on an international platform.

Speaking at the Asia Smart Grid 2011 conference as part of the 4th Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2011, Mr Willian Van Putten, Managing Director of KEMA, Asia Pacific, shared on smart grid solutions as a transition towards the future of the energy industry.

An increasingly complex energy landscape

Mr Putten highlighted that the current energy landscape is changing and becoming more complex, affected by an array of factors such as technology advancements, physical limits, politics, finance and regulations. With the increasing use of natural gas and adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, he shared that the transition towards a more sustainable energy landscape has started and would create more uncertainties and major changes in the way people think about power systems.

For example, consumers can now become suppliers of energy through demand-side management programmes such as demand response. This will affect the flow of power and require the development of new market mechanisms. Smart grid plays a major role and enabler in this energy transition.

Smart grids as effective bridges

With new components like smart meters, advanced metering infrastructure and central management system, a smart grid allows for the integration of fuel cell storage, electric vehicles, embedded distributed generations such renewable energy sources, and enables new services such as power metering, community trading and virtual power networks.

A smart grid overall should entail several qualities. Firstly, it should be flexible enough to fulfill customer needs while responding to the technological advancements ahead. Secondly, a smart grid should be highly accessible to grant connection of various network users. Thirdly, it should ensure reliability and stability of the entire power system, And lastly, a smart grid should make economical sense for the various stakeholders in the entire ecosystem.

Interoperability key to success

Mr Putten highlighted the importance of interoperability of smart grids as a wider coordination of investments and operation is essential to maximise the benefits of smart grids. In line with this, the company established a Smart Grid Interop Lab (SGIL) in Erlanger, Kentucky, the US, as a dynamic testing center for smart grid technologies.

Designed to simulate real-world conditions and test end-to-end functionality of smart grid elements such as in-home displays, electric vehicle charging, smart meters, and customer information portals, the lab will play an important role in the deployment of smart grids.

Cooperation on a large scale

In his concluding remarks, Mr Putten noted that while we have achieved much development in the area of smart grids, big challenges such as managing the uncertainties of technology and changing perspectives of consumers lie ahead.

BY : Vivienne Low, EMA staff