AMI could provide several crucial measurements
—including voltage, current and power—to
address user requirements and support remote
connection or disconnection, two-way metering,
and regular or random reading of measurement
data. AMI can also act as a gateway to the user’s
indoor network, providing them with real-time
electricity prices and power consumption data,
control over the indoor power load, and laying
the foundation for demand response.
AMI provides significant benefits in energy
use reduction, peak shaving and blackout
recovery. Prior to the installation of AMI, US
utility PG&E made 48,000 repair sessions for
outage calls each year, which was reduced substantially after AMI was deployed, saving $43
million annually.
Developed countries conduct extensive R&D
of AMI in areas like automatic collection of
power consumption data, measurement abnormity monitoring, power quality monitoring, and
electricity consumption analysis and management. In 2009, China started to develop power
consumption data collection systems and deploy
smart meters. It introduced 24 technical standards on power consumption data collection and
12 technical standards on smart metering. By the
end of 2015, State Grid Corporation of China had
installed more than 300 million
27 smart meters.
Second, advanced distribution automation
(ADA) uses power electronics, communications
and network technologies to integrate topology
information, operational and historical data,
geographic information and user data with
monitoring, protection, control and management
of the power distribution network. The configuration and functions of a typical ADA are shown
in Fig. 32.
ADA is an integral part of the smart power
distribution network. It provides intelligent control of distributed power and energy storage
systems, electric vehicle charging and discharging facilities and demand response. It improves
power supply reliability, shortens outage
recovery times and reduces power cuts and
demand rationing. When integrated with other
parts of the smart grid, ADA can enhance system
monitoring, improve reactive power and voltage
management, reduce transmission losses,
improve asset utilisation, and optimise operation,
scheduling and maintenance activities.
28
According to American Electric Power (AEP),
which owns the largest power transmission system in the USA and is one of the country’s
biggest power generators, ADA reduced the
number and duration of outages by 45% and 51%
respectively.
29 By minimising use of line patrol
vehicles after power failures, ADA can reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
ADA is being developed in countries like the
USA, UK, France, Singapore and Japan. Japan
stands at the forefront of ADA. In 1999, ADA
helped reduce the average outage in Japan to
3 min per household per year.
30 China is vigorously promoting ADA across the country. State
Grid Corporation of China had deployed ADA
across a third of its operating area in 2016.
31
Third, microgrids. A microgrid is a small,
self-contained power generation and distribution
system that can operate independently or be
integrated into a larger grid. Microgrids can
supply one user, like a campus or military base,
or multiple users across an island or geographic
area.
The main functions of a microgrid are: first,
autonomous operation. A microgrid operates
autonomously and stably and meets the demand
for power by itself. Second, it reduces power
supply volatility by stabilising fluctuations in
generation and consumption and by maintaining
power and voltage stability at the point of connection with other grids. Third, it provides
27
Analysis on the Development and Market Prospects of
China’s Smart Meter Industry, 2016, http://www.chyxx.
com/industry/201606/426731.html (2016).
28
Yu Yixin and Luan Wenpeng, Smart Grid, Power
System and Clean Energy, vol. 25, 2009, pp. 10–11.
29
AEP Ohio, Final Technical Report, 2014, pp. 169–216.
30
Liu Yong and Han Wen, Development of China’s
Power Distribution Network vs. Construction of Japan’s
Power Distribution Network, https://wenku.baidu.com/
view/e6b524cbfc4ffe473268abb6.html (2016).
31
State Grid Corporation of China, Social Responsibility
Report, 2016, pp. 36–37.
Special Report 3: A Study of China’s Technology Revolution
327
—including voltage, current and power—to
address user requirements and support remote
connection or disconnection, two-way metering,
and regular or random reading of measurement
data. AMI can also act as a gateway to the user’s
indoor network, providing them with real-time
electricity prices and power consumption data,
control over the indoor power load, and laying
the foundation for demand response.
AMI provides significant benefits in energy
use reduction, peak shaving and blackout
recovery. Prior to the installation of AMI, US
utility PG&E made 48,000 repair sessions for
outage calls each year, which was reduced substantially after AMI was deployed, saving $43
million annually.
Developed countries conduct extensive R&D
of AMI in areas like automatic collection of
power consumption data, measurement abnormity monitoring, power quality monitoring, and
electricity consumption analysis and management. In 2009, China started to develop power
consumption data collection systems and deploy
smart meters. It introduced 24 technical standards on power consumption data collection and
12 technical standards on smart metering. By the
end of 2015, State Grid Corporation of China had
installed more than 300 million
27 smart meters.
Second, advanced distribution automation
(ADA) uses power electronics, communications
and network technologies to integrate topology
information, operational and historical data,
geographic information and user data with
monitoring, protection, control and management
of the power distribution network. The configuration and functions of a typical ADA are shown
in Fig. 32.
ADA is an integral part of the smart power
distribution network. It provides intelligent control of distributed power and energy storage
systems, electric vehicle charging and discharging facilities and demand response. It improves
power supply reliability, shortens outage
recovery times and reduces power cuts and
demand rationing. When integrated with other
parts of the smart grid, ADA can enhance system
monitoring, improve reactive power and voltage
management, reduce transmission losses,
improve asset utilisation, and optimise operation,
scheduling and maintenance activities.
28
According to American Electric Power (AEP),
which owns the largest power transmission system in the USA and is one of the country’s
biggest power generators, ADA reduced the
number and duration of outages by 45% and 51%
respectively.
29 By minimising use of line patrol
vehicles after power failures, ADA can reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
ADA is being developed in countries like the
USA, UK, France, Singapore and Japan. Japan
stands at the forefront of ADA. In 1999, ADA
helped reduce the average outage in Japan to
3 min per household per year.
30 China is vigorously promoting ADA across the country. State
Grid Corporation of China had deployed ADA
across a third of its operating area in 2016.
31
Third, microgrids. A microgrid is a small,
self-contained power generation and distribution
system that can operate independently or be
integrated into a larger grid. Microgrids can
supply one user, like a campus or military base,
or multiple users across an island or geographic
area.
The main functions of a microgrid are: first,
autonomous operation. A microgrid operates
autonomously and stably and meets the demand
for power by itself. Second, it reduces power
supply volatility by stabilising fluctuations in
generation and consumption and by maintaining
power and voltage stability at the point of connection with other grids. Third, it provides
27
Analysis on the Development and Market Prospects of
China’s Smart Meter Industry, 2016, http://www.chyxx.
com/industry/201606/426731.html (2016).
28
Yu Yixin and Luan Wenpeng, Smart Grid, Power
System and Clean Energy, vol. 25, 2009, pp. 10–11.
29
AEP Ohio, Final Technical Report, 2014, pp. 169–216.
30
Liu Yong and Han Wen, Development of China’s
Power Distribution Network vs. Construction of Japan’s
Power Distribution Network, https://wenku.baidu.com/
view/e6b524cbfc4ffe473268abb6.html (2016).
31
State Grid Corporation of China, Social Responsibility
Report, 2016, pp. 36–37.
Special Report 3: A Study of China’s Technology Revolution
327