Smart grid technologies are considered by many to be the way forward for green energy, but what exactly are smart grid technologies and what do they have to do with solving the environmental problems we face? As it turns out, smart grid is a term that covers a wide range of concepts and technologies that combine to help modernize our energy system. The main focus of smart grids is to increase the level of information and interaction between the different sections of the electrical grid. This communication allows for more efficient operation of our electrical system and can lead to big changes in the future.

By increasing the level of information available to the people who manage the power grid, we can adjust more efficiently to meet peak demand. This is the first major environmental improvement we’ve seen from smart grids. Currently, peak demand is met by operating what are known as “peak” plants. These are typically older coal-fired power plants that are only running to help meet peak demand. By more efficiently controlling our power grid through better monitoring, we could lessen and possibly eliminate the need for these dirty power plants. However, new technologies must be implemented to enable power monitoring and control to manage this spike in demand. In addition to helping reduce our environmental impact, decreasing the need for “peak” power plants will help lower the cost of energy because we will no longer pay to maintain power plants we only use occasionally. These same smart grid monitoring technologies will also enable grid administrators to better respond to system surges and route excess power to avoid outages, thereby minimizing economic losses from power outages.

Another goal of smart grid technologies is to increase the efficiency of energy transfers between continents via the grid. This will be a big step forward for renewable energy sources, helping to alleviate some of the disadvantages of intermittent production. By being able to effectively move generated power anywhere in the country, we can have extensive production of renewable energy ensuring that some of it is always online. As it currently stands, wind generation must be supported by more traditional forms of generation in the event the wind stops, however, by dispersing our wind generation across the continent, we lessen the risk that we will lose production entirely. Along with this comes a greater possibility of decentralizing power production, allowing smaller wind turbines and solar panels to connect to the grid and share the power they create.

There are also more consumer-oriented ideas under the cloak of smart grid technologies. One that is already being implemented is the use of smart meters. Smart meters enable dynamic energy pricing based on current demand levels. By increasing the price in real time as demand increases, we can help smooth out our energy demand curve, which will help to further alleviate the stress placed on the grid during periods of peak demand. Along with smart meters, people are also developing smart devices that monitor demand on the grid and work when more power is available. This would include things like dishwashers and clothes dryers that you could set to run overnight, but instead of setting an exact time, you would just tell them to run when the price of energy drops below a certain threshold. These consumer smart grid technologies will help consumers play an active role in managing the electrical grid instead of the passive role they now play. Greater community involvement allows everyone to participate and do their part to help solve today’s environmental problems, but this can’t happen without smart grid technologies.

The final aspect that smart grid advocates talk about is something that is already widely available to consumers but not being taken advantage of. I mean energy efficiency improvements. If everyone in the country did everything they could to make their homes as energy efficient as possible, we could dramatically reduce the strain we put on the grid. By reducing our demand for power from the grid, we would facilitate the transfer to renewable energy sources and manage our peak demand. While there are already many options available to improve the energy efficiency of the home, the goal of smart grid technologies is to increase awareness of these options and give people a reason to look for problems and make improvements to the energy efficiency of their home. .

This only covers the basics of smart grid technologies, as they apply to a wide range of topics. However, the general idea of ​​smart grid technologies is clear; to increase efficiency and intelligence in the electrical system as a whole. Achieving these goals will make it easier to integrate renewable energy sources into our power system, deal with peak demand, avoid blackouts, and build a more resilient power grid. Therefore, while smart grid technologies themselves may not be considered green technology, they will help enable rapid adoption of green production and thus help reduce the production of CO2 and other pollutants.