Smart Grid 2.0:

The Role of GIS

As the scope of Smart Grid evolves, some are wondering what the role of GIS will be. GIS will define and maintain more accurate, complete network models and be an integral part of new Outage Management (OMS) and Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS). GIS will provide the geographical organizational aspects of Business Intelligence (BI) and Data Analytics (DA) capabilities. Whether it is analysis of networks or display of Key Performance Indicators, the results will come from time-series simulations that much more nearly model real time network performance.

Smart Grid, Phase 2

As 2012 begins, Smart Grid (SG) projects are experiencing a change in intent, focus and funding. Most initial SG projects (i.e., those enabled by American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funding) are focused on Smart Meter (SM) implementation and improved energy utilization promoted by new rate and billing models. As these projects near full implementation, it is time to define and examine second stage SG objectives - commonly referred to as Smart Grid 2.0. With ARRA urgency, many utilities rushed to deploy SM without understanding short interval meter data applications or contracting for systems designed to manage new network environments and massive data volumes. Many utilities also postponed SG initiatives that were not directly enabled by SM. The next phase of SM - SG 2.0 - will focus on: * Completing SM installations * Implementing Meter Data Management systems * Supporting Energy Efficiency, Demand Response, Timeof-Use and other real-time pricing and Load Management requirements * Improving outage identification, verification and restoration * Implementing new, more accurate network models * Supporting automated connect and disconnect * Implementing new BI and DA applications that support massive amounts of SG data * Improving energy delivery and network reliability with new equipment such as VAR Optimization, synchrophasors, and other monitoring and control devices 34 ElectricEnergy T&D MAGAZINE I JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 Issue * Managing highly variable, distributed renewable generation * Supporting plug-in electric hybrid and electrical vehicles * Providing new levels of network control including SCADA, Distribution Energy Management, microgrids and other advanced controls * Enhanced maintenance to reduce the impact of aging infrastructure and delayed maintenance By Charles H. Drinnan, President, eWAM Associates & Senior Market Analyst, InfoNetrix LLC Like most SG projects today, the explicit requirements of SG 2.0 will vary from utility to utility.

Evolving from Static Models to Operational Simulations

As SG 2.0 evolves, network modeling will change as summarized below. 1. Static analysis models based on specific configurations and seasonal loads will change to time-based simulation models. Full operational simulations will be available for analysis by dealing with time-series (i.e., what happens as generation sources, loads, and system configurations change over time) analyses. 2. Model accuracy will greatly increase. Rather than static seasonal loads, operational simulations will use hourly loads. For the model, energy sources such as wind and solar will also vary with time to simulate the inherent variability of distributed renewable generation. 3. Models will more closely depict 'physics' simulations rather than today's typical static loads and generalized connectivity models. With a physics model, actual observations are simulated at any point in the network, allowing users to analyze complete network performance with graphs of voltage, loads and other parameters. 4. Today there are many specialized specific purpose models with limited scope and model-specific network properties. With SG 2.0, these specialized models will be replaced by one integrated system model that starts at the source of energy (generation) and flows through a full three-phase model down to individual meters. Virtually every component, including loops, will be analyzed using specific physical component properties.

You need to upgrade your Flash Player

You need to upgrade the version of your Flash Player to version 9 minimum.

Click here

Adobe Flash Player Download Center