Innovation and Advanced in The Electricity Sector Assessment 2022

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Innovations and Advancements in the Electricity Sector
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Innovations and Advancements in the Electricity Sector
Smart Grids
Smart grids are automated networks of electrical system. They comprise automated
substations, transformers, distribution and transmission lines. Smart grids are an
innovation the electrical sector that allows communication to take place between
electrical consumers and the utility. Automation is made possible through the
integration sensing devices and different communication protocols into the
electrical system to work as a unit [1].
Benefits to the electrical Industry
The benefits of the smart grids in the electrical system are:
 Improved coordination and high levels of security in the electrical system.
 They have promoted efficient and adequate distribution of power through
lowering of the peak demands which in turn leads in saving electrical costs
[1].
 Smart grids allow for the integration and utilization of different sources of
renewable energy into the same network of electricity. This ensure that the
energy potential of the different energy sources available are fully exploited
to drive the economy of a country.
 Through adoption of smart grids, the costs of management, operation are
greatly reduced. Consequently, the cost of utility bill for the consumer is also
reduced.
 Smart grids promote efficiency in transmission through the reduction of
disturbances in the system and allowing for quick restoration in cases where
unexpected disturbances occur in the system.
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Principle of Operation
Smart grids use the computer, networking, automation and control technologies to
promote easy and effective channels of control, monitoring and communication in
the transmission and distribution system of an electrical network system [2]. The
computer and the networking technologies creates the possibilities of two-way
communication between the consumer, the system and the utility. In smart grids,
smart meters and relay systems are installed to replace the old analog devices
throughout the critical areas of the system to collect and transfer data between the
stakeholders involved. Data collected by the devices allow the system to self-
diagnose itself and make the necessary adjustment to ensure no interruptions or
disturbances occur in the system and that those that occur are quickly countered
automatically [3]. Consumption patterns from consumers enable the power
generation unit to increase or reduce the power generation levels automatically. A
typical smart grid is shown below.
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Figure 1: Typical Smart Grid
Challenges to the Innovation
The challenges facing the smart grid technology are:
 Stakeholders lack of awareness on the standards, the regulatory guidelines
and the best practices of designing and operating the smart grids [2].
 Technical problems that result from the complexity of most electrical
networks that have been in existence over years making it difficult to decide
where system intelligence is necessary [4].
 Adoption of the smart grid technology is limited by the high cost of setting up
the infrastructure.
HVDC Technology
HVDC is a technology that involves bulk transmission of electricity over long
distances in the direct current form. The transmission can be done through high
voltage direct current overhead lines, underground cables or submarine cables.
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