Introduction

Power grids transport the electricity from the point of production to the point of consumption.

• Consumption points
• Electricity production point

Smart grids

The introduction of smart grids will mean modernising existing installations and adapting them to twenty-first century technology.
Adding digital technology yo meters and distribution and control centres will:

• Make them more efficient
• Limit energy losses
• Cut carbon emissions
• Better quality of supply

Smart Grids energy + information

The greatest advantage of the new smart grids is the detailed INFORMATION they provide. This is very useful for:

• The general public. with more and more reliable information about their consumption habits, they can take the necessary saving measures.
• Creating new rates that better meet the real energy needs of citizens.
• The system. It will manage demand better and reduce the use of less efficient generation plants leading to lower emissions rates.

Smart grids: 2-way information

Smart Grids provide information in two directions: to users and system managers: User consumption, energy produced in small facilities, failures at points in the grid. Large volume of information for a complex interconnected network.

Smart grids: smart electricity meters

the most visible part of the new girds will be the SMART ELECTRICITY METERS

Smart grids: Total user management

• Remote readings: no more invoices with consumption estimates.
• User will be able to check their consumption figures at all timer using web applications.
• They will be able to switch rates with immediate effect.

New services will be crated with specific rates to adapt to different uses, etc.

Smart grids: Smart information and control systems

Smart information and control systems will have to be installed.

Smart grids: distributed generation

The new smart grids will be capable of efficiently absorbing and monitoring supply from multiple small producers making the grid vastly more complex:

• Photovoltaic panels
• Small CHP producers
• Domestic micro-generators
• Electric vehicle users

Smart grids: distributed generation

The new smart girds will be capable of efficiently absorbing and monitoring supply from multiple small producers making the grid vastly more complex:

• Photovoltaic panels
• Small CHP producers
• Domestic micro-generators
• Electric vehicle users

Smart grids: electric vehicle

The introduction of electric vehicle will also add new loads and complexity to the grid. A smart grid will be needed to provide the user with complete information on load, and to the system on occasional energy requirements.

Smart grids: production centres

Production centres will be increasingly diverse and will be available closer to the energy users thus cutting transmission losses and, by extension, carbon emissions.

Diagram of a smart power grid