Trilemma of Smart Distribution Grid: People, Processes and Environment

Abstract

The paper has presented smart distribution grid from a new perspective of how the consumers (“People”) and different activities (“Processes”) of distribution companies are interconnected. Next, discussion has been given regarding how the core thoughts of smart grids (“Energy Conservation” and “Demand Management”) are helping in reducing degradation of “Environment”. These three dimensions of “People”, “Processes” and “Environment” are termed as “Trilemma of Smart Distribution Grid”. Each of these three dimensions is explained, in Sections 2, 3 and 4, respectively, using block diagram and simple desciption of each block. Further, recommendations have been given in Section 5 for distribution companies: (a) to follow guidelines and policies being issued by many authorities in Central / State / Local Governments; (b) to always keep in mind the benefits to “People” in whatever they do; (c) to conduct regular training and development programs for their staff to keep them updated about new developments; (d) to conduct free-training programs for industrial consumers to educate them about the latest trends in equipment and processes, so that they can plan for short-term and long-term measures for energy conservation and demand reduction in their operations; (e) to do cost-benefit analysis which would show them that they would get returns on their investments only if they take up large power-consuming city for making the grid “Smart”; and (f) to strengthen the distribution system in city to take care of large power demand expected from EV charging stations on city roads in next decade.