Smart Grid
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are more sources of generation and more directions of flow, but perhaps
one of the qualitatively distinct aspects of the smart grid is the addition
of storage and the management of the electrical flows to and from that
storage.
With the flexibility of the smart grid, generation and storage of energy
could be accomplished in many different ways, and coordinated so that
the benefits and weaknesses of each are counterbalanced to some extent.
The generation of renewable electricity may be via wind, solar, hydro,
or even methane gas from anaerobic digestion. Non- renewable electricity may also still be used within the system. Similarly, the storage of
energy can be accomplished using a variety of methods. Large utilities,
with large power- generating capabilities, may have battery storage as
part of their infrastructure, because storage is beneficial where a significant portion of the supply is from wind and solar energy sources
(Munje, 2017). Although batteries are the most often considered option
for large- scale storage, other options are also possible. For instance,
potential energy can be stored in water reservoirs and used to generate electricity when needed. Water can be pumped back into a reservoir when excess electricity needs to be used, then released to produce
hydroelectricity.
There is a lot of potential for the smart grid to use another method of electricity storage, as yet not utilized: EV batteries. EV batteries can be used
for smart grid management of supply and demand (Tan et al., 2016). The
potential energy storage capabilities of the millions of EVs already in use is
immense. Many battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have batteries that can store
more than 40 kWh. Furthermore, when a BEV is being used to travel locally,
there is excess battery capacity which can be used to make the smart grid
more efficient. These EVs, parked and plugged into the grid already, can be
beneficial to the management of supply and demand of electricity if they are
integrated into the smart grid system.
It would therefore be beneficial for smart grid management to have
parking lots full of EVs that can be charged when the system operator
needs to increase demand for renewable power that is being generated. This
strategy – delivering power to charge EVs when they are coincidingly being
used to help balance supply and demand – may be offered at a lower price
to encourage EV owners to help the smart grid in this way. The smart grid
management technology exists to have EV owners arrive at a parking lot,
plug in their car to a charging station, and communicate their wishes with
respect to battery charging. There may be automated systems that help to
manage parking lots full of EVs based on the state of supply and demand
of the smart grid and the desires of each EV owner. EV owners with large
battery capacity may be able to charge their EV at times when the price is low
and it is beneficial for the smart grid and/ or utility. The reduced price can
be offered because the grid efficiency is improved by charging EVs when it
helps to balance supply and demand.
75
75
are more sources of generation and more directions of flow, but perhaps
one of the qualitatively distinct aspects of the smart grid is the addition
of storage and the management of the electrical flows to and from that
storage.
With the flexibility of the smart grid, generation and storage of energy
could be accomplished in many different ways, and coordinated so that
the benefits and weaknesses of each are counterbalanced to some extent.
The generation of renewable electricity may be via wind, solar, hydro,
or even methane gas from anaerobic digestion. Non- renewable electricity may also still be used within the system. Similarly, the storage of
energy can be accomplished using a variety of methods. Large utilities,
with large power- generating capabilities, may have battery storage as
part of their infrastructure, because storage is beneficial where a significant portion of the supply is from wind and solar energy sources
(Munje, 2017). Although batteries are the most often considered option
for large- scale storage, other options are also possible. For instance,
potential energy can be stored in water reservoirs and used to generate electricity when needed. Water can be pumped back into a reservoir when excess electricity needs to be used, then released to produce
hydroelectricity.
There is a lot of potential for the smart grid to use another method of electricity storage, as yet not utilized: EV batteries. EV batteries can be used
for smart grid management of supply and demand (Tan et al., 2016). The
potential energy storage capabilities of the millions of EVs already in use is
immense. Many battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have batteries that can store
more than 40 kWh. Furthermore, when a BEV is being used to travel locally,
there is excess battery capacity which can be used to make the smart grid
more efficient. These EVs, parked and plugged into the grid already, can be
beneficial to the management of supply and demand of electricity if they are
integrated into the smart grid system.
It would therefore be beneficial for smart grid management to have
parking lots full of EVs that can be charged when the system operator
needs to increase demand for renewable power that is being generated. This
strategy – delivering power to charge EVs when they are coincidingly being
used to help balance supply and demand – may be offered at a lower price
to encourage EV owners to help the smart grid in this way. The smart grid
management technology exists to have EV owners arrive at a parking lot,
plug in their car to a charging station, and communicate their wishes with
respect to battery charging. There may be automated systems that help to
manage parking lots full of EVs based on the state of supply and demand
of the smart grid and the desires of each EV owner. EV owners with large
battery capacity may be able to charge their EV at times when the price is low
and it is beneficial for the smart grid and/ or utility. The reduced price can
be offered because the grid efficiency is improved by charging EVs when it
helps to balance supply and demand.