Smart Grid Goals Research Articles

A Two-Way Street: Green Big Data Processing for a Greener Smart Grid

Integrating renewables into the mainstream energy market is pivotal for the green revolution promised by the smart grid. The real power behind realization of the smart grid goals lies in the volume, variety, velocity of the big data generated by a variety of sources. Nevertheless, the smart grid needs data centers to digest the big data for its profound green revolution. However, big data processing is the radix for data centers to be seen as energy black holes. Unless data centers are transformed into energy-efficient enterprises, big data are going to be responsible for superfluous energy burn, potentially reversing the smart grid genesis with regard to green environmental impact. This paper describes the role of the big data enterprise in envisioning the smart grid. We dissect the big data enterprise into six vital planes impacting the energy footprints of data centers. We present a survey of key strategies to make these six vital planes greener. Moreover, we present open challenges and directions in this context. We assert that a cross-plane approach toward a greener optimization is crucial. In this vein, we present a green orchestrator that is capable of incorporating different planes in an integrated fashion to boost energy profile of the big data enterprise.

Active, Reactive and Harmonic Control for Distributed Energy Micro-Storage Systems in Smart Communities Homes

This paper aims to provide control strategies for distributed micro-storage energy systems at the residential level to contribute to smart grid goals. A simulation model of an energy storage system (ESS) charger has been implemented to test these proposed control strategies. The smart community energy management system (SCEMS), acting as an aggregator of resources in the community according to the expected demand and production, sends to each individual home the active and reactive power set-points. Besides, in case the ESS has available capacity, once the SCEMS requirements are satisfied, it is used to absorb the harmonic current components demanded by the household circuitry. It allows a local improvement in the power quality of the demanded current, and thus contributes to the global power quality consumption of the community. Simulation results showing the operation of a local ESS at a home in a Smart Community are presented to validate the proposed control strategies.

Distributed Large-Scale Co-Simulation for IoT-Aided Smart Grid Control

An important goal of smart grid is to leverage modern digital communication infrastructure to help control power systems more effectively. As more and more Internet of Things (IoT) devices with measurement and/or control capability are designed and deployed for a more stable and efficient power system, the role of communication network has become more important. To evaluate the performance of control algorithms for inter-dependent power grid and communication network, a test bed that could simulate inter-dependent power grid and communication network is desirable. In this paper, we demonstrate the design and implementation of a novel co-simulator, which would effectively evaluate IoT-aided algorithms for scheduling the jobs of electrical appliances. There are three major features of our co-simulator: 1) large-scale test is achieved by distributed modules that are designed based on a Turing-indistinguishable approach; 2) remote servers or test devices are controlled by local graphical user interface (we only need to configure the simulator on a local server); 3) a software virtual network approach is employed to emulate real networks, which significantly reduces the cost of real-world test beds. To evaluate our co-simulator, two energy consumption scheduling algorithms are implemented. Experimental results show that our co-simulator could effectively evaluate these methods. Thus our co-simulator is a powerful tool for utility companies and policy makers to commission novel IoT devices or methods in future smart grid infrastructure.

Online Energy Price Matrix Factorization for Power Grid Topology Tracking

Grid security and open markets are two major smart grid goals. Transparency of market data facilitates a competitive and efficient energy environment, yet it may also reveal critical physical system information. Recovering the grid topology based solely on publicly available market data is explored here. Real-time energy prices are calculated as the Lagrange multipliers of network-constrained economic dispatch; that is, via a linear program (LP) typically solved every 5 minutes. Granted the grid Laplacian is a parameter of this LP, one could infer such a topology-revealing matrix upon observing successive LP dual outcomes. The matrix of spatio-temporal prices is first shown to factor as the product of the inverse Laplacian times a sparse matrix. Leveraging results from sparse matrix decompositions, topology recovery schemes with complementary strengths are subsequently formulated. Solvers scalable to high-dimensional and streaming market data are devised. Numerical validation using real load data on the IEEE 30-bus grid provide useful input for current and future market designs.

Assessment Method and Indexes of Operating States Classification for Distribution System With Distributed Generations

Self-healing is a key characteristic and goal of smart grid, which is based on the classification of the operating states of the power system. With views to the differences between the distribution and transmission system in terms of the operation model and structural features, an essential difference can appear in the classification of operating states between these two systems. According to the characteristics of distribution system with distributed generations (DGs), a new method based on hierarchical classification is proposed to classify the operating states of distribution system with DGs. In this method, several important performances reflecting the operating conditions of distribution system are regarded as critical attributes, including external stability, reliability, integrity, and economy. Moreover, different transition paths and control targets in different states are proposed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the classification method, which aim at the safety and reliability of the distribution system operation. Finally, a control strategy based on state classification is presented to support the decision-making for the self-healing distribution system. A case study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of the classification method for the operating states of distribution system.

Key performance indicators: A useful tool to assess Smart Grid goals

In the last few years, the Smart Grid concept has gained ground in the power utility scope. However, due to its multidisciplinary character (involving a stack of technologies) it is very difficult to assess the overall project success. Due to this a metric is required. In this paper, the authors review the existing metrics and (based on their experience within the Smart Grid demonstration project “Smartcity Malaga”), propose a new approach of business intelligence to bring about a new metric or set of key performance indicators for its rating. An advantage of this metric is its capacity to assist in this task. Its usefulness is also complemented with a planning tool that enables us to assess the effects of each technology under potential scenarios. This information is useful for planning projects, allowing us to make the most appropriate decisions each moment. Ultimately, this usefulness is clearly demonstrated through two case studies.

A Fine-Grained Access Control Model for Smart Grid

The smart grid that the next-generation electric power system is studied intensively as a promising solution for energy crisis. One important feature of the smart grid is the integration of high-speed, reliable and secure data communication networks to manage the complex power systems effectively and intelligently. The goal of smart grid is to achieve the security of operation, economic efficient and environmental friendly. To achieve this goal, we proposed a fine-grained access control model for smart grid. In order to improve the security of smart grid, an access-trust-degree algorithm is proposed to evaluate the reliability of the user who want to access to the smart grid.

Study on Technological Evaluation Modeling of Smart Grid

The Smart Grid is the development trend of grid technology. For guiding the construction of smart grid scientifically, quantitative evaluation for the level of technology maturity of the Smart Grid construction is necessary. The evaluation results can be used for determining the stage of the current construction of Smart Grid and summarizing the problems which came up during the process of construction, also finding the gap between current satiation and individual goals to determine the direction and key job in next step. This paper take the characteristics and goals of domestic Smart Grid into account, build a maturity evaluation model which assess the smart grid maturity in three dimensionstime, production processes and technical features separately. By setting the primary and secondary parameter the model can be used for smart grid assessment in any time, scenes and region. The model make a comprehensive coverage of various aspects in the smart grid construction process and the results of evaluation can be analyzed from different dimension to find the short slab to guide the work in next step.

Chance-Constrained Optimal Power Flow: Risk-Aware Network Control under Uncertainty

When uncontrollable resources fluctuate, optimal power flow (OPF), routinely used by the electric power industry to redispatch hourly controllable generation (coal, gas, and hydro plants) over control areas of transmission networks, can result in grid instability and, potentially, cascading outages. This risk arises because OPF dispatch is computed without awareness of major uncertainty, in particular fluctuations in renewable output. As a result, grid operation under OPF with renewable variability can lead to frequent conditions where power line flow ratings are significantly exceeded. Such a condition, which is borne by our simulations of real grids, is considered undesirable in power engineering practice. Possibly, it can lead to a risky outcome that compromises grid stability---line tripping. Smart grid goals include a commitment to large penetration of highly fluctuating renewables, thus calling to reconsider current practices, in particular the use of standard OPF. Our chance-constrained (CC) OPF co...

Defending false data injection attack on smart grid network using neuro-fuzzy controller

Reliability, flexibility, security and efficiency of energy transmission and distribution will be provided with a new type of power grid called Smart Grid. In order to achieve the smart grid goals, the information technology (IT) and computer infrastructures based automation must be developed. These infrastructural developments define a new assignment called cyber security against cyber-attack. False data injection attack is one of the cyber-attacks that can easily disorganize the power system with deceiving the energy management system by injecting false data. This paper presents a new approach to detect false data in database of management system. This paper attempts to estimate the voltage of buses using Neuro-Fuzzy controller by training data of voltages of buses. The results show that the performance of the proposed method is very accurate and any injected false data can be detected.

Comprehensive Real-Time Microgrid Power Management and Control With Distributed Agents

Advances in smart grid technology have yet to coalesce into a comprehensive solution integrating the landscape of future power systems. The microgrid concept may offer a solution for combining advanced components and enabling technologies within an infrastructure that must expand to meet emerging demands. As autonomous power system entities, microgrids require robust real-time power management and control to simultaneously operate jointly with the utility, provide reliable service, and help achieve customer-driven objectives utilizing local power system assets. In this paper, a decentralized control architecture for microgrids is presented, along with a simulation environment appropriate for on-going investigations into real-time, agent-based decision-making. Challenges faced by operating self-organizing multi-agent system (MAS) are presented, as well as results for a representative power management scenario for a multi-asset microgrid capable of operating in grid-interconnected or islanded mode. The system and formulations presented demonstrate the viability and capability of decentralized agent-based control for microgrids and illustrate their potential towards achieving smart grid goals.

Special Issue on Smart Grid

Recently many utilities, manufacturers, researchers, government leaders around the world are working on a very sophisticated issue, Smart Grid, to modernize both the electric power transmission and distribution grids for the future. As a suitable subject for special issue for the Journal of Advanced Computational Intelligence and Intelligent Informatics (JACIII), I found that Smart Grid with its impacts on many fields is a timely subject though related to the fundamental concept of this Journal on Intelligence and real-world applications and so forth. Smart grids are intelligent and self-healing power systems which integrate intelligent transmission network with IT and collect, distribute, and process information about the behavior of all power suppliers and consumers in order to improve reliability, power quality, and to reduce electricity costs. Using a key issue, smart meter, enables smart grids to have smart real time monitoring on a regional and national scale to control and management the grids to avoid or mitigate the system-wide blackouts. In this special issue, we hope to explore breakthrough and new contributions useful to achieve the goal of smart grid. Three papers were selected for this special issue: The first paper proposes a novel idea though a strategic system in energy and environment required in smart grid. Managing sources combination including solar energy as well as the production trading is a new kind of risk management in smart grid. Important extensions of this study includes emissions management program accommodating uncertain and erratic renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energies. The second paper is related to communication aspect required for smart grid technology when renewable energy in small smart communities is interconnected to the smart grid. The simulation model developed in this paper is believed to be a useful tool in real-time power management system in smart grid. Third paper is selected as another hot subject in smart grids; the authors developed an extended procedure that obtains a unit commitment including a significant wind power penetration and PEVs as additional reserves. The shadow prices obtained by the trade-off analysis may provide a basis of evaluating the equivalent cost of the wind farms and the applying PEVs as the reserve and their contribution toward CO2 reduction. Finally, using this opportunity, I would like to thank the reviewers for spending their valuable time for evaluating the papers and quick response which made this special issue catch the time. I would also like to thank the JACIII editorial office for their great assistance for preparing this special issue.

Securing smart grid: cyber attacks, countermeasures, and challenges

Smart grid has emerged as the next-generation power grid via the convergence of power system engineering and information and communication technology. In this article, we describe smart grid goals and tactics, and present a threelayer smart grid network architecture. Following a brief discussion about major challenges in smart grid development, we elaborate on smart grid cyber security issues. We define a taxonomy of basic cyber attacks, upon which sophisticated attack behaviors may be built. We then introduce fundamental security techniques, whose integration is essential for achieving full protection against existing and future sophisticated security attacks. By discussing some interesting open problems, we finally expect to trigger more research efforts in this emerging area.