Chapter 1 - An introduction to the smart grid-I

Abstract

Traditional power systems are designed considering power flow to be unidirectional from the generating station to consumers. Generation mainly comes from conventional sources: thermal power, hydropower etc. However, environmental concerns and depletion of conventional sources have raised the need to promote renewable energy resources, which are also called distributed generation (DG). DG is being embedded in the distribution system, being location-specific and locally available energy. The distribution system has seen major changes, as it is no longer a passive network, and power flow is now bidirectional. Liberalization of energy markets now offers private operators and consumers in low-voltage distribution grids to participate in buying and selling of energy along with utilities. Thus, this raises the need for interoperability between various domains such as generation, distribution, and customers. Over time, the traditional power grid is upgrading and transforming toward becoming a smart grid, which may have more information, real-time monitoring support, a smart system for operation, metering, and customer participation. Various institutions and agencies are working to prepare the smart grid framework and road maps for future smart grids. This chapter presents an introduction to the smart grid in view of the National Institute of Standards and Technology framework and road maps issued for future smart grids. It covers seven domains, namely service provider, operations, market, generation, transmission, distribution, and customer. A smart grid is capable of optimizing the operations of interconnected domains. The roles of battery energy storage systems, electric vehicles, and their types are also discussed in brief.