Component of an HVDC Transmission System

HVDC system has the following main components

1. Converter Station
2. Converter Unit
3. Converter Transformers
4. Filters
   1. AC filter
   2. DC filter
   3. High-frequency filter
5. Reactive Power Source
6. Smoothing Reactor
7. HVDC System Pole
• Converter Station
  The terminal substations which convert an AC to DC  are called rectifier terminal while the terminal substations which convert DC to AC are called inverter terminal. Every terminal is designed to work in both the rectifier and inverter mode. Therefore, each terminal is called converter terminal, or rectifier terminal. A two-terminal HVDC system has only two terminals and one HVDC line.

Converter Unit

The conversion from AC to DC and vice versa is done in HVDC converter stations by using three-phase bridge converters. In HVDC transmission a 12-pulse bridge converter is used. 

Converter Transformer

• The converter transformer converts the AC networks to DC networks or vice versa. They have two sets of three phase windings. The AC side winding is connected to the AC bus bar, and the valve side winding is connected to valve bridge.These windings are connected in star for one transformer and delta to another.

  The AC side windings of the two, three phase transformer are connected in stars with their neutrals grounded. The valve side transformer winding is designed to withstand alternating voltage stress and direct voltage stress from valve bridge. There are increases in eddy current losses due to the harmonics current. The magnetisation in the core of the converter transformer is because of the following reasons.

  • The alternating voltage from AC network containing fundamentals and several harmonics.
  • The direct voltage from valve side terminal also has some harmonics.

      Filters

    The AC and DC harmonics are generated in HVDC converters. The AC harmonics are injected into the AC system, and the DC harmonics are injected into DC lines. The harmonics have the following disadvantages.

    1. It causes the interference in telephone lines.
    2. Due to the harmonics, the power losses in machines and capacitors are connected in the system.
    3. The harmonics produced resonance in an AC circuit resulting in over voltages.
    4. Instability of converter controls.

    The harmonics are minimised by using the AC, DC and high-frequency filters. The types of filter are explained below in details.

    • AC Filters – The AC filters are RLC circuit connected between phase and earth. They offered low impedances to the harmonic frequencies. Thus, the AC harmonic currents are passed to earth. Both tuned and damped filters are used. The AC harmonic filter also provided a reactive power required for satisfactory operation of converters.
    • DC Filters  – The DC filter is connected between the pole bus and neutral bus. It diverts the DC harmonics to earth and prevents them from entering DC lines. Such a filter does not require reactive power as DC line does not require DC power.
    • High-Frequency Filters – The HVDC converter may produce electrical noise in the carrier frequency band from 20 kHz to 490 kHz. They also generate radio interference noise in the megahertz range frequencies. High-frequency filters are used to minimise noise and interference with power line carrier communication. Such filters are placed between the converter transformer and the station AC bus.

    • Reactive Power Source

      Reactive power is required for the operations of the converters. The AC harmonic filters provide reactive power partly. The additional supply may also be obtained from shunt capacitors synchronous phase modifiers and static var systems. The choice depends on the speed of control desired.

      Smoothing Reactor

      Smoothing reactor is an oil filled oil cooled reactor having a large inductance. It is connected in series with the converter before the DC filter. It can be located either on the line side or on the neutral side. Smoothing reactors serve the following purposes.

      1. They smooth the ripples in the direct current.
      2. They decrease the harmonic voltage and current in the DC lines.
      3. They limit the fault current in the DC line.
      4. Consequent commutation failures in inverters are prevented by smoothing reactors by reducing the rate of rising of the DC line in the bridge when the direct voltage of another series connected voltage collapses.
      5. Smoothing reactors reduce the steepness of voltage and current surges from the DC line. Thus, the stresses on the converter valves and valve surge diverters are reduced.

      HVDC System Pole

      The HVDC system pole is the part of an HVDC system consisting of all the equipment in the HVDC substation. It also interconnects the transmission lines which during normal operating condition exhibit a common direct polarity with respect to earth. Thus the word pole refers to the path of DC which has the same polarity with respect to earth. The total pole includes substation pole and transmission line pole.

Power Factor

 Power Factor

 AC power has three components – 

1,Real power(P) measured in watts

2.Apparent power(S) measures in volt amperes 

3.Reactive power Q measured in reactive volt 

Definition of power factor :

In electrical engineering, the power factor of an AC electrical power system is defined as the ratio of the real power absorbed by the load to the apparent power flowing in the circuit.It refers to the fraction of total power (apparent power) which is utilized to do the useful work called active power.

• Low power factor results when KW is small in relation to KVA. 
• The inductive loads causes large KVAR in the systems which includesTransformer , Induction motor, Induction generator (wind mill generators), High intensity discharge lightening. These inductive loads consume major portions of the power consumed in the industries. 
• Reactive power (KVAR) required by the inductive load increases the amount of the apparent power (KVA) in the distribution system. This increase in the reactive and the apparent power results in the large angle and thus the cosine (or power factor) increase.

Advantages of improved Power Factor:

• Real power is given by P = VIcosφ. The electrical current is inversely proportional to cosφ for transferring a given amount of power at a certain voltage. Hence higher the pf lower will be the current flowing. A small current flow requires a less cross-sectional area of conductors, and thus it saves conductors and money.
• From the above relation, we see having a poor power factor increases the current flowing in a conductor, and thus copper loss increases. A large voltage drop occurs in the alternator, electrical transformer, and transmission, and distribution lines – which gives very poor voltage regulation.
• The KVA rating of machines is also reduced by having a higher power factor, as per the formula:

Hence, the size and cost of the machine are also reduced.

This is why the electrical power factor should be maintained close to unity – it is significantly cheaper.

Disadvantages of low power factor

Let us consider, load as P is supplied at terminal voltage V and at power factor cosΦ by a 3-phase balanced system then load current is given by

Where P is the real power (watt) From the above expression for a given load, it is clear that if the power factor is low, the load current will be higher. The larger the load current due to low power factor results in the following effects

1) Effect on transmission lines: For the fixed active power to be transmitted over the line, the lower the power factor, the higher will be the load current to be carried by the line. Since the maximum permissible current density of the line conductor is fixed, the cross –sectional area of the conductor is to be increased in order to carry larger current. This results in an increased volume of the conductor material which in turn increases the capital cost of transmission lines. 

2) Further, Increases in the current causes increase in the line losses with a reduction in the efficiency of the line. Also the line voltage regulation is poor. 

3) Effect on transformer: A reduction in the current increase in the line losses with a reduction in the efficiency of the line.

4) Voltage regulation becomes poor at low power factor. Current at low lagging power factor causes a greater voltage drop in alternators, transformers, and transmission lines causing to have low power supply at the receiving end. To keep the receiving end voltage within permissible limits, extra equipment (i.e., voltage regulators) is required that increases the overall cost of the system.

5)Effect on switchgear and bus bar: The lower the power factor at which a given power is to be supplied, the larger is the cross –sectional area of the bus bar and the larger is the contact surface of the switchgear

6) Effect on generators: With a lower power factor, the KW capacity of agenerator is reduced. The power supplied by the exciter is increased. The generator copper losses are increased, which results in low efficiency of the generator. 

7) Effect on prime movers: When the power factor is increased, the alternator develops more reactive KVA i.e. the reactive power generated is more. This requires a certain amount of power to be supplied by the prime mover. So, a part of prime mover capacity is idle and it represents a dead investment. The efficiency of the prime mover is reduced.

 8) Effect on existing power system: For the same active power, the operation of an existing power system at a lower power factor necessitates the overloading of the equipment during full load.

Describe the range of power factor and meaning of lagging and leading power factor.

The power factor is defined as the ratio of the real power absorbed by the load to the apparent power

In case of perfectly sinusoidal waveform P,Q and S can be expressed as the vectors that form a vector triangle such that 

If is the phase angle between the current and the voltage then the power factor is equal to the cosine of the angle 

• Since the units are consistent, the power factor is by definition a dimensionless number between -1 to 1.
• When the power factor is 0, the energy flow is entirely reactive and the stored energy in the load returns to the source in each cycle.
• When the power factor is 1 all the energy supplied by the source is consumed by the load.
• power factors are usually stated as lagging or leading to show the sign of
• Capacitive loads are leading and the inductive loads are lagging.

Avoiding of Low power factor without using Power factor improvement devices: 

1) Single phase capacitor start and capacitor run motor can be used as electric drives for better power factor

2)Three phase induction motor and transformer can be loaded to its higher load condition so that power factor at higher load is more

3) If load is shared by three phase induction motor and three phase synchronous motor then synchronous motor can be run in over excitation mode by increasing its excitation so that it runs with leading power factor and induction motor will run at lagging power factor, then overall power factor of the system improves

Q. Poor power factor reduces the handling capacity of the plant. Justify your answer. 

Ans:  

• Poor power factor reduces the handling capacity of all the elements of the system 
• For low value of power factor (lagging) increases the KVAR i.e. reactive component i.e. reactive component of the system and hence full power is not utilized and hence power handling capacity reduces. 
• All the above drawbacks of lower power factor suggest that P.F. must be improved at least up to a value of 0.8, 0.85. 
• For the industrial consumers, the power supplying company insist on P.F. improvement. The power tariffs are revised to impose penalties if the P.F. is poor, lesser than 0.8. 
• They are advised to install Power factor improvement devices. 

EHVAC Vs HVDC TRANSMISSION

 

EHVAC Vs HVDC TRANSMISSION

HVDC vs HVAC Transmission Systems

HVDC stands for High Voltage Direct Current while HVAC stands for High Voltage Alternating Current. These are typically the rate of voltage, either DC (HVDC) or AC (HVAC) that are employed for energy transmission over long distances. HVDC is preferred to be utilized for transmitting energy over long distances, commonly more than 375 miles.

HVDC vs HVAC Transmission Systems (Reference: tdworld.com)

Nowadays, both formats of power transmission are employed all over the world. While these both have some advantages and disadvantages, we will explain each of them briefly in this post below based on different characteristics to discuss the HVDC vs HVAC transmission systems fundamentally.

Cost of Transmission

We understand that energy transmission over long-distance application needs high voltages. The power is used in terminal stations that modify the voltage rates. So, the total price of transmission is based on the cost of the transmission line and the terminal source’s situation.

Terminal Station

The great number of voltages transmitted within electrical terminal sources and their operation are introduced as the voltage conversion. The system employed for voltage conversion at these sources is mainly transformers in the case of AC types that is converted between low and high Voltages. Whereas in the case of DC type, the terminal sources utilize IGBTs or thyristor-based converters for modification between low and high DC voltage.

Since the transformers are less expensive and more reliable than these solid-state converters, the AC terminal sources are cheaper than DC types. Thus, the voltage modification in AC is less costly than DC forms.

Transmission Line

The transmission line price is based on the number of conductors being employed and the price of the transmission tower.

In the aspect of conductors being employed for transmission systems, the HVDC transmission type needs just two conductors, while the HVAC transmission form needs 3 or more than 3 instruments (including the covered conductor according to the harmful effects).

Because of the massive mechanical load on AC tower systems, their operation requires to be stronger and it should be taller and wider than HVDC transmission systems. The transmission line price rises with the distance and it is far higher than the HVDC line per 60 miles of a transmission path.

 

Overall Cost of Transmission

The overall cost of transmission is based on the terminal price (remains fixed) and the line price (rises with distance). As a result, the overall cost of the transmission system increases with distance.

HVDC vs HVAC Transmission Systems Cost (Reference: electricaltechnology.org)

The transmission path at which the total investment cost for HVAC begins to increase is introduced as Break-even Distance. This value is evaluated around 400 – 500 miles. HVDC is a more suitable option for energy transmission in the break-even distance. Although, below this distance, HVAC is more effective than HVDC. This data can be simply understood by the previous diagram.

Flexibility

Because the HVDC transmission is employed for transmission over long-distance applications between two areas, we cannot extract power at any section in-between since it would require an expensive converter to reduce such high DC voltages. In contrast, the HVAC transmission provides flexibility using a simple and cheap device like transformers at several terminal stations to control these high voltages.

Power Losses

The HVAC power transmission format has more power wastes such as Radiation losses, Induction losses, Skin effect, Corona losses, etc.

The radiation & induction losses depend on the magnetic field variation near the HVAC conductor. A massive conductor starts operating as an antenna and radiates some power that cannot recover, while the induction wastes are the energy loss when the current is produced in close conductors based on the continuously magnetic field variation. Since DC has an identical magnetic field, the HVDC type is free from these losses.

The alternating current produced in a conductor is separated in such a method that the current density wants to compose largest at the top of the conductor and minimum at the middle; this is known as the skin effect. Because much of the cross-sectional surface is ineffective and we understand that the resistance is straightly related to the cross-sectional surface, the resistance value of the conductor rises. The DC in the system is uniformly spread because the skin effect is just based on the frequency. So, only HVAC type experience power waste according to the skin effect in this aspect of HVDC vs HVAC transmission systems.

When the voltage rises more than a specific limit, the air close to the conductor begins the ionizing process and produces sparks that lose some power; this is introduced as corona discharge. The losses of corona discharge are also based on the frequency and because DC systems have zero frequency, the corona waste in HVAC is almost 3 times higher than that in HVDC.

The Skin Effect in Detail

The skin effect forces the conductor to keep most of the current at its top and less current at the center. It is based on the frequency and directly proportional to it. It reduces the efficiency of the conductors being employed. Thus, in order to provide a larger current, the cross-sectional section of the conductor requires to be increased.

Skin Effect in HVDC vs HVAC Transmission Systems (Reference: electricaleasy.com)

So, the HVAC requires a larger diameter device to carry the equal value of current as compared to the HVDC type employing a shorter diameter conductor.

Current & Voltage Ratings of Cable

As we discussed before, the current and voltage ratings of a cable are the optimum allowable range that it can be passed. The AC systems have a peak current and voltage that is practically 1.4 times greater than its average (the average practical energy delivered) or its DC norm. But in DC type, the average and peak values are equal.

Peak and Average Values for Transmission Systems (Reference: electrical4u.com)

The conductor should be evaluated for the peak voltage and current for the HVAC type which loses almost 30% of its ideal capacity in comparison with HVDC form, which uses the complete capacity of the conductor. So, a conductor with an identical size can be more preferred in HVDC vs HVAC transmission systems.

Right-of-Way

The right of way is the right method to use the land to and from another section of land. In the exploration of HVDC type, it includes a narrower right-of-way since it can employ smaller kinds of towers with fewer conductors being applied, i.e., two in DC types and 3 in 3-phase AC systems. Also, the insulators used in the main towers should be rated for peak voltages in AC systems.

The right-of-way influences the prices of substances used and fabrication requirements for the different transmission systems. We can conclude that HVDC types have a narrower right-of-way than HVAC transmission systems.

Submarine Power Transmission

We use cables in order to move power offshores employing submarine power transmission. At the same time, the cables provide certain capacitance generated between two conductors that operate in parallel arrangement to transmit power over long-distance applications.

The capacitance value is just based on the variation in voltage which is continuously happening in AC types, and only during switching mode in DC systems. The cable does not provide energy due to such capacitance (at the receiving section) before being completely charged. The cable is discharged and charged continuously in alternating current (50 or 60 times per second) which forces the system to lose a huge power. In contrast, the cable is charged only once in DC type. As a result, the submarine power system employed HVDC for energy transmission.

Controllability of Power Flow

When we discuss the HVDC vs HVAC transmission systems in the case of controllability, HVDC form uses particular converters of IGBT semiconductors which can be switched off and on several times in a period and control the total system, while HVAC has not a controllable part for Power flow. While the converters used in HVDC are complex, they help in controlling the distribution of energy to the entire setup and also increase the harmonic performance. These developed electronic converters provide fast protection against line errors and fault clearance contrary to the HVAC types.

Circuit Breaker

The Circuit breaker is a highly important section of power transmission systems. It can cease the whole circuit operation for reaction to any fault or maintenance. The circuit breaker requires arc-extinguish abilities in the current to stop the power supply.

The direction and value of the current modify continuously in HVAC systems and the arc is typically extinguished based on the presence of several zero currents in a second that present various chances to stop the arc. Whereas in DC form, the current is fixed and there are no zero currents, so artificial zero currents should be produced employing particular circuitry to stop the arc.

As a result, in the comparison of HVDC vs HVAC transmission systems, the circuit breakers for HVAC are easy to modeling according to the “self-arc-extinguish” feature. This is while for HVDC, the circuit-breaker modeling is relatively complex and they are more costly than HVAC types.

Generating Interference

The AC systems produce a magnetic field with continuously variable values that can cause interference with the conductors in the nearby communication. Because DC types have a constant magnetic field, they do not cause such problems.

Key Differences to Contrast Hvdc vs Hvac Transmission Systems

At what follows, key differences between HVDC vs HVAC transmission systems are summarized:

• Skin effect is zero in DC systems. Also, corona wastes are especially lower in DC type. An HVDC path has noticeably lower wastes in comparison with HVAC over long-distance applications.
• HVDC transmission path would cost lower than an HVAC type.
• Based on the absence of inductance value in DC type, an HVDC path provides better voltage monitoring. Also, HVDC supplies greater controllability in comparison with HVAC.
• AC power grids are normalized for 60 Hz in some regions and 50 Hz in others. It is impractical to combine two power grids operating at different frequencies using an AC junction. An HVDC port makes this possible for power grids.
• Interference with close relative lines is lower in HVDC types than an HVAC overhead line.
• The short circuit current rate in the receiving setup is great in longer distance HVAC transmission system. An HVDC type does not chip in such circuit current of the AC form.

 

Conclusion

In a general comparison for HVDC vs HVAC transmission systems, HVDC transmission types have many more benefits over HVAC types, including controllability, stability, etc. HVDC systems are more cost-effective for distances greater than the break-even point. Submarine HVDC instruments can be more reliable for use in offshore wind farms as they are less expensive than undersea HVAC wires. As a result, there is an increasing tendency to choose the HVDC transmission type. However, HVAC systems are also employed because they have their particular advantages in distribution and transmission, such as they can be simply stepped down and stepped up which is an important matter in certain applications. HVDC is practically a supplement for AC forms rather than an opponent.

 

Proximity effect

 Definition: When the conductors carry the high alternating voltage then the currents are non-uniformly distributed on the cross-section area of the conductor. This effect is called proximity effect. The proximity effect results in the increment of the apparent resistance of the conductor due to the presence of the other conductors carrying current in its vicinity.

When two or more conductors are placed near to each other, then their electromagnetic fields interact with each other. Due to this interaction, the current in each of them is redistributed such that the greater current density is concentrated in that part of the strand most remote from the interfering conductor.

If the conductors carry the current in the same direction, then the magnetic field of the halves of the conductors which are close to each other is cancelling each other and hence no current flow through that halves portion of the conductor. The current is crowded in the remote half portion of the conductor.

When the conductors carry the current in the opposite direction, then the close part of the conductor carries, the more current and the magnetic field of the far off half of the conductor cancel each other. Thus, the current is zero in the remote half of the conductor and crowded at the nearer part of the conductor.

If DC flows on the surface of the conductor, then the current are uniformly distributed around the cross section area of the conductor. Hence, no proximity effect occurs on the surface of the conductor.

The proximity effect is important only for conductor sizes greater than 125 mm2.Correction factors are to be applied to take this fact into account.

If Rdc – uncorrected DC level of the core
Ys – skin effect factor, i.e., the fractional increment in resistance to allowing for skin effect.
yp – proximity effect factor, i.e., the fractional increment in resistance to allowing for skin effect.
Re –  effective or corrected ohmic resistance of the core.
The allowance for proximity effect is made, the AC resistance of the conductor becomes
The resistance Rdc is known from stranded tables.

Factors Affecting the Proximity Effect

The proximity effect mainly depends on the factors like conductors material, conductor diameter, frequency and conductor structure. The factors are explained below in details

1. Frequency – The proximity increases with the increases in the frequency.
2. Diameter – The proximity effect increases with the increase in the conductor.
3. Structure – This effect is more on the solid conductor as compared to the stranded conductor  (i.e., ASCR) because the surface area of the stranded conductor is smaller than the solid conductor.
4. Material – If the material is made up of high ferromagnetic material then the proximity effect is more on their surface.

How to reduce Proximity Effect?

The proximity effect can be reduced by using the ACSR (Aluminum Core Steel Reinforced) conductor. In ACSR conductor the steel is placed at the centre of the conductor and the aluminium conductor is positioned around steel wire.

The steel increased the strength of the conductor but reduced the surface area of the conductor. Thus, the current flow mostly in the outer layer of the conductor and no current is carried in the centre of the conductor. Thus, reduced the proximity effect on the conductor.

Comparison between Overhead Lines and Underground Cables

 

Comparison between Overhead Lines and Underground Cables

	Overhead Line	Underground cable
Fault location	As the overhead line is visible, it is easy to find the location of the fault.	As the underground cable is invisible, it is very difficult to find the location of the fault.
Initial cost	There is no requirement of digging, manholes, and trench. So, the overhead line system is cheaper than the underground system.	The initial cost of the underground transmission system is more compared to the overhead line because it needs digging, trenching, etc.
Chance of fault	As overhead line exposed to the environment, the chances of faults are more.	The cables are not exposed to the environment, there is less chance of fault.
Safety	This system is less safe as the conductors placed on the towers.	This system is safer as the cables placed underground.
Useful life	In this system, useful life is approximately 20 to 25 years.	Useful life is approximately 40 to 50 years.
Appearance	The general appearance of this system is not good because of all lines are visible.	The general appearance of this system is good because of all lines are invisible.
Maintenance cost	In this system, no need to dig at the time of maintenance. Hence, for the same number of faults, the maintenance cost is less.	In this system, to find the fault, digging is compulsory. It increases labor cost. Hence, for the same number of faults, the maintenance cost is more.
Flexibility	This system is more flexible. Because the expansion of the system is easily possible.	This system is not flexible. The expansion cost is nearly equal to the new erection of the system.
Conductor size	The conductors placed in atmosphere. So, the heat dissipation is better. Therefore the size of the conductor is small compared to the underground system.	Because of the poor heat dissipation, the size of the cables is more.
Interference with the communication line	The communication lines are run along the transmission line. In this case, it is possible to cause electromagnetic interference.	In this case, there is no chance of interference with communication lines.
Proximity effect	The distance between the conductor is very high. So, proximity effect does not affect.	As the distance between cables is very less, the proximity effect is very high.
Application	The cost of this system is low. Therefor overhead lines used in the long transmission system and in rural areas for the distribution system.	Because of the high cost, it uses in the short distance and in populated areas. Where space is a major problem for the overhead transmission line.

Standardization of Transmission System Voltage

 Standardization of Transmission System Voltage

There is much variation in transmission voltages in different countries. Each country have different voltage level as per there requirments. Earlier individual makes  an attempts to fix voltage levels for higher power transmission but such an attempt had resulted in wastage of time and higher cost because of designs of varied nature. Hence, the transmission voltages had to be standardized. The various advantages of standardization of transmission voltage are:

1.      Standardization provides better facilities for research and development.

2.      The equipments can be manufactured with greater economy and reliability.

3.      Systems are easily interconnected.

Hence standardization enables to carry out joint efforts to tackle Extra High Voltage (EHV) or Ultra High Voltage (UHV) problems. By standardizing, the voltage level can be adopted for a reasonable period of time before next change. The choice of the highest system voltage for a country is a matter of great significance. It is not merely the economic factors that influence the next higher voltage but the site of power station, location and density of load, and the technological developments are also kept in mind. The next higher voltage level should also be selected on the basis of future load enhancements. The interval between the existing and the proposed voltage level should be judiciously spaced, as too small interval between the voltages will result in a short life of the proposed voltage level. At the same time too large interval would lead to heavy expenditure. It is therefore desirable that the next voltage selected should be at least two steps higher than the existing one.  

The various AC voltages adopted by different countries above 220 kV are 275, 345, 380, 400, 500, 735, 765, 1000, 1100, 1200 kV etc. The AC transmission voltages adopted in India are 220 kV, 400 kV and 765 kV. The next higher AC transmission voltage selected is 1200 kV.

Smart Grids

     A Smart Grid is an electricity Network based on Digital Technology that is used to supply electricity to consumers via Two-Way Digital Communication. This system allows for monitoring, analysis, control and communication within the supply chain to help improve efficiency, reduce the energy consumption and cost and maximize the transparency and reliability of the energy supply chain.

    Smart grid is a large ‘System of Systems’, where each functional domain consists of three layers: 

(i) the power and energy layer, 

(ii) the communication layer, and 

(iii) the IT/computer layer.

     Layers (ii) and (iii) above are the enabling infrastructure that makes the existing power and energy infrastructure ‘smarter’.

It uses smart meters and appliances, renewable and efficient energy resources.

• The system delivers electricity via 2-way digital communication. It allows consumers to interact with the grid.
•  It reduces energy consumption and reduces cost to the consumers by smart means. Electric supply companies make efficient usage of energy and consecutively will be able to meet the varying load demands of the consumers.

Features of Smart Grid

    Smart grid has several positive features that give direct benefit to consumers:

• Real time monitoring.
• Automated outage management and faster restoration.
• Dynamic pricing mechanisms.
• Incentivize consumers to alter usage during different times of day based on pricing signals.
• Better energy management.
• In-house displays.
• Web portals and mobile apps.
• Track and manage energy usage.
• Opportunities to reduce and conserve electricity etc.

Benefits of Smart Grid Deployments

• Peak load management, improved QoS and reliability.
• Reduction in power purchase cost.
• Better asset management.
• Increased grid visibility and self-healing grids.
• Renewable integration and accessibility to electricity.
• Satisfied customers and financially sound utilities etc.

Smart Grid Architecture Components

The figure depicts generic Smart Grid Network Architecture components or modules with different reference points. As shown typical smart grid network consists of following components.

• Grid domain (Operations include bulk generation, distribution, transmission)

• Smart meters

• Consumer domain (HAN (Home Area Network) consists of smart appliances and more)

• Communication network (Connects smart meters with consumers and electricity company for energy monitoring and control operations, include various wireless technologies such as zigbee, wifi, HomePlug, cellular (GSM, GPRS, 3G, 4G-LTE) etc.

• Third party Service providers (system vendors, operators, web companies etc.)