How Utilities Can Use IoT Technology To Save Energy In The Smart Grid Era
Government of India has undertaken a two-pronged approach to cater to the growing energy demand of its citizens while ensuring minimum growth in CO2 emissions. On one hand, in the generation side, the Government is promoting greater use of renewable in the energy mix mainly through solar and wind and at the same time shifting towards supercritical technologies for coal based power plants. On the other side, efforts are being made to efficiently use the energy in the demand side through various innovative policy measures under the overall ambit of Energy Conservation Act 2001.
These clear-cut mandates have triggered some aggressive deadlines that are forcing distribution system operators (DSOs) to improve energy efficiency by cutting their energy losses. Utilities are also feeling strong pressure to integrate and accommodate the boom of not only alternative sources energy generation, but also electric vehicles into their grids. To meet these considerable challenges, utilities are now adopting strategies that leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) —and the smart tools and connected technologies of which it’s composed.
Take active strategies for loss control, for example. Active energy efficiency means reducing energy consumption through measurement, monitoring and control of its use.
Some examples here are dynamic network reconfiguration and voltage optimisation. The good news is that DSOs can solve some of their problem with these strategies.
Let’s look at three example issues:
Issue 1: Technical losses in medium voltage (MV) networks represent about 3% of the distributed energy. That obviously represents a substantial loss
Strategy 1: Using algorithms, an Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) can not only optimize network configuration and relieve overloaded network segments, but also help minimize losses (up to 4% for yearly reconfiguration) and load unbalance in high and medium voltage substation
transformers and feeders. Further, it helps DSOs achieve an optimal voltage profile and improve voltage quality
Issue 2: Integrating distributed energy resources (DER), i.e., distributed generators (renewable or backup), controllable loads used for demand response, and energy storage (electrical or thermal), can cause rising and falling voltage at the same time in different parts of the grid. Not to mention that the necessary monitoring of this voltage in older substations is costly and complex.
Strategy 2: DSOs can fine-tune voltage control infrastructure. To acquire accurate, real-time voltage data, utilities can install cost effective, self-powered, communicating IoT voltage sensors at the MV/LV substation level or along lines. They can also use “virtual” sensors to estimate the MV voltage based on more easily accessible data. Further, DSOs can install actuators with smart transformers along MV lines to increase or decrease the voltage.
Issue 3: Estimates indicate that 90% of nontechnical losses occur in LV networks. Assessing for improvement means identifying and monitoring these losses, but due to the high number of points, it’s expensive.
Strategy 3: DSOs can deploy smart meters. Smart energy meters can act as additional sensors to track network energy performance data. Comparing the
pattern of the energy measured on an LV feeder to the patterns of energies delivered by the smart meters delivers a precise location of losses and, additionally, faster detection and location of LV network outages for improved reliability.
Of course, launching IoT and connected technology strategies is easier said than done. How to get there? Step by step.
4 steps to distribution network efficiency
In the smart grid era, utility electrical distributors cannot afford to rely upon old technology. IoT is here, and its connected technologies can upgrade DSOs’ existing infrastructure to prevail over a variety of modern distribution network challenges. By following these best practices in creating a migration plan, you can help your DSO develop a more efficient network:
Although energy efficiency improvements may increase short-term capital costs, long-term advantages include lower operating costs, reduced energy waste, and a more integrated and flexible network.
Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure™ Grid is set to play a critical role in Grid transformation. EcoStruxure helps as an open, interoperable, IoT-enabled system architecture targeted at several verticals, including the Grid market and DSOs (Distribution System Operators). It leverages advancements in IoT, mobility, sensing, cloud, analytics, and cybersecurity technologies to deliver Innovation At Every Level from Connected Products to Edge Control to Applications, Analytics and Services.
