Abstract
In Pakistan, the performance of conventional electrical grids is inefficient, resulting in severe energy crises. To overcome the alarming challenges persisting in the energy grids, Pakistan must focus on system protection, grid reliability, distribution and transmission, and power quality. The inefficiencies in grid protection and management signify an overall problematic energy scenario. The solutions to these problems include the improvement of domestic, commercial, and industrial demand-side management and the reduction in distribution network losses. A smart grid (SG) is a critical requirement as it can overcome the shortcomings of the existing grid owing to its promising features, enhanced consumer empowerment, utmost security; efficient and optimized energy flow; and demand-supply management. Thus, the SG is essential to overcome the energy crisis in Pakistan and achieve the standards of other developed nations in the energy sector. This study aims to highlight the significant prospects of SGs within Pakistan with the key objectives of its availability requirements. We compare the energy scenario in Pakistan with that of other countries and recommend various aspects that require improvement through SG implementation. Additionally, we discuss the incorporation of renewable energy resources and present a market analysis regarding SGs to illustrate the SG scenario and its implementation in Pakistan. Moreover, we analyze and evaluate detailed taxonomies of energy generation, energy projects, renewable energy assessment, power market trends in Pakistan, and the basic requirements of SGs. Furthermore, a critical analysis of the energy sector in Pakistan is elaborated, which describes the possibilities, requirements, and strengths pertaining to the transformation of the modern electric grid with respect to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Thus, we believe that our work is more versatile in improving the energy system of Pakistan for the implementation of the SG.
Highlights
Pakistan is an energy-deficient country and is confronting an alarming energy crisis
WORK The conventional power grid infrastructure in Pakistan has resulted in various alarming issues, such as (a) supply and demand mismatch, (b) energy deficiency, (c) unprotected power system, (d) inferior power quality, and (e) power transmission and distribution (T&D) challenges
These problems can be solved through reduced losses in the distribution network and improvement in demand-side management (DSM) technology for commercial, domestic, and industrial sectors
Summary
Pakistan faces the problem of disparity between the supply and the demand. Four power plants will be installed, each of 330 MW capacity (total capacity of 1,320 MW) This project will cost approximately US$ 2,000 million and will be financed by IPPs under the supervision of PPIB. The total capacity of this project is 1,000 MW, with an estimated cost of US$ 1,350 million, which is financed by IPPs. The executive agency is Hanergy/QA Solar Power (Pvt.) Ltd., Pakistan, and PPDB supervises it. This setup incorporates an on-grid solar project that possesses an arrangement of net metering, which allows the beneficiaries to export surplus electricity to IESCO Other projects such as solar and wind parks can be installed to utilize the never-ending energy sources under the CPEC energy schemes in Islamabad. The average wind speed of Pakistan is above 4.5 m/s, making the locality favorable for wind energy production along with the solar power generation system
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