Smart Grids

Team 5 C: Smart grids Presentation Video https://mediaspace.carleton.ca/media/CCDP+2100+C+-+Group+5+-+Presentation+of+Findings+Nov+26/1_pu61z3eg

Smart Meters: Rhys Schock

Smart meters are digital meters that measure electricity, voltage levels, current and power efficiency in an urban structure. They measure the amount of energy used and when it was used in an establishment [2]. Since they are electronic, the smart meters measure the amount of the product, either electricity-based or water and communicates the data back to a central computer system [3]. The feedback system that the smart meters communicate with is important as it detects how much energy is being consumed and therefore the extent of greenhouse gas emissions (when the production source is fossil fuels based). The smart meter feedback system will benefit the consumer as it captures live data, so there are no surprises on the consumer bill and it will help the consumer reduce the inefficiency of the electricity usage in their homes or city buildings.

Figure 1: Smart meter [3]

Power Line Communication (PLC): Mutaz Al-Disi

A power line communication is a system that has a dual function [4]. PLC systems enable data sending over electric wires as well as carry electricity [4]. Figure 2 displays an overhead power line. The data carried through a power line communication system are signals [5]. Signals are received by cell phones and wi-fi networks. Signals allow cell phones to make phone calls and have access to LTE(internet on cell phone). The Internet in homes, in workplaces, all over the world is accessible because of signals that are transmitted through power line communications [5]. In addition to transmitting signals, Power line communications carry electricity from one place to another [6]. For example, a power plant that generates electricity needs to get the electricity to homes and infrastructures that are far away [6]. PLC’s allow for the electricity to be  carried from the electricity generators to all types of infrastructures [6]. PLC’s are efficient and environmentally friendly, they recycle old power lines and use them as signal transmitters and electricity carriers.

Figure 2: Overhead power lines[4]

Relays: Anthoni Ibrahim

            A protective relay is a switch-like device responsible for cutting and supplying power in a power grid  serving multiple functions in a power grid. In large grids, relays are used as metering and as protection devices. In smaller grids, relays are used in addition as circuit breakers [8]. Once the smart grid detects a disturbance, it quickly “islands” the local grid by opening the switch in the relay [8]. So-called “islanding” protection schemes cause local grids to disconnect from all generation, causing a power outage in the local grid in turn saving energy from being wasted or causing any damage [8]. Relays also work by monitoring the amount of energy produced during peak and off hours switching energy production in the production station to renewable energy during off peak hours to produce less carbon emission, and energy waste [8].

Figure 3: A Protective Relay working with other parts in the transmission station to cutoff power[7]

Energy Storage: Mohamed Kaddour

Although smart grids are efficient and environmentally friendly, there is a chance that a blackout can occur. If a large-scale blackout occurs, components of the smart grid can be damaged. A blackout can also cause damage to society as everything relies on the energy a smart grid provides to function. Energy storage in the form of capacitors and capacitance is essential in preventing these blackouts. Capacitors are a form of energy storage which store energy from a circuit in the form of charge [10]. The amount of energy a capacitor can hold is referred to as its capacitance [10]. Certain capacitors such as ultra-capacitors have a capacitance twenty times higher than that of a normal capacitor, making them more beneficial in blackouts as they can hold more energy [11]. Capacitors help prevent blackouts by discharging, or releasing the energy they have stored to the rest of the circuit in order to maintain functionality and prevent blackouts and damage to components [11].  

Figure 4: Energy Storage in the form of capacitors [9]

 References:

[1] Hydroone.com. 2020. Hydro One. [online] Available at: <https://www.hydroone.com/rates-and-billing/meters/smart-meters> [Accessed 19 September 2020].

[2] Cancer.org. 2020. Smart Meters. [online] Available at: <https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/radiation-exposure/smart-meters.html> [Accessed 19 September 2020].

[3] gifer.com. [Online]. Available: https://gifer.com/en/gifs/smart. [Accessed: 24-Nov-2020].

[4] wisegeek. 2020. What Is A Power Line Communication?. [online] Available at: <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321474308_Power_Line_Communications_Theory_and_Applications_for_Narrowband_and_Broadband_Communications_over_Power_Lines> [Accessed 21 September 2020].

[5][1]Cypress.2020.PowerLineCommunication.[online]AvailableAt: at: <https://www.cypress.com/applications/power-line-communication> [Accessed 19 September 2020].

[6]Energyeducation.ca. 2020. Power Plant - Energy Education. [online] Available at: <https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Power_plant#:~:text=A%20power%20plant%20is%20an,grid%20for%20society's%20electrical%20needs.> [Accessed 30 September 2020].

[7]"Protection & Control : Smart Grid Innovations : GE Digital Energy", Gegridsolutions.com, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.gegridsolutions.com/multilin/smartgrid_innovations.htm. [Accessed: 24- Nov- 2020]

[8] W. Edwards and S. Manson, "Using Protective Relays for Microgrid Controls", Prorelay.tamu.edu, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://prorelay.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/03/UsingProtectiveRelays_6824_20180209.pdf. [Accessed: 20- Sep- 2020].

[9] ”Global and Russian Ultracapacitor Market for Transportation”,  Gossnab, [Website], Available: http://www.gossnab.com/finishres/electrotechnics-electronics/electrotechnics-electronics_58.html [Accessed Nov. 23,  2020]

[10] “Introduction to Capacitors”, ElectronicTutorials [Website]. Available: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/capacitor/cap_1.html [Accessed Sep. 13, 2020]

[11] Dionysia Kolokotsa, Nikos Kampelis, Angeliki Mavrigiannaki, Marco Gentilozzi, Filippo Paredes, Fabio Montagnino, Luca Venezia, “On the integration of the energy storage in smart grids: Technologies and applications”, Wiley Online Library [Website], Available: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/est2.50#:~:text=The%20benefits%20of%20electrical%20energy,and%20frequency%20within%20specific%20limits. [Accessed: Oct 22, 2020]