Smart Grid Technology: Trends and Developments in Microgrids and Nanogrids

SMART GRID TECHNOLOGY 1
Smart Grid Technology
Name of Student
Institution Affiliation

SMART GRID TECHNOLOGY 2
Executive summary
A smart grid includes a variety of operations such as smart appliances, smart meters,
energy-efficient resources and renewable energy resources. Achievement of the smart grid, is
made possible by an incorporation of technologies such as Nano grid, picorid, and micro grid
among others. This literature review offers an insight into some of the various developments
and trends in the micro grids and Nano grids smart grid system. It offers a comprehensive
review of the recent trends and developments in the Nano grid and micro grid technologies in
the context of a smart grid. The results indicate that these devices have the ability to operate
autonomously, sand can be separated in cases of any fault or maintenance such as voltage sag
and frequency shifts so that the consumers are not affected. Some of its significant aspects
include control of the generation and distribution of power as well as electronic power
conditioning.

SMART GRID TECHNOLOGY 3
Contents
Executive summary..................................................................................................... 2
Introduction........................................................................................................... 3
Literature review................................................................................................... 7
Smart grid.......................................................................................................... 7
Distribution And Utilization Systems...................................................................7
Microgrid Concept.............................................................................................. 7
Motivation....................................................................................................... 8
Current status and ongoing research on the micro girds................................9
NaS sodium battery......................................................................................... 9
Control........................................................................................................... 10
Microgrid energy management system.........................................................10
Trends in the microgrid technology..................................................................11
Concept Of Nano grids...................................................................................... 14
Structure of the Nano grid.............................................................................15
Trends in nanogrid technology.........................................................................16
Trends behind the nanogrid and micriogrids beyond 2020..............................17
Examples of applications..................................................................................... 19
Conclusion........................................................................................................... 21
References........................................................................................................... 22

SMART GRID TECHNOLOGY 4
Introduction
One question which all of us can attempt to find an answer to is what if we had no
electricity grid system, such that there lacks a central generation, transmission and
distribution system as well as the end users and utilities. By extension, what kind of facilities
and structures would we have created and in particular from our interaction with the internet?
Recently, there has been a dynamic shift in our systems from the design of our previous
structures. For instance, entailing devices have been designed. The future of electrical grids
lies in the smart grid systems. These smart grid systems incorporate various improved and
comprehensive technologies in order to bring a revolution in the field of electrical
engineering [2].
For our case, one major area that will be our borne of contention is how various trends
and developments have found their way into the grid network system. For instance, a case of
micro grids and the Nano grid technology. In the times to come, energy utilization in most
building units will be in the form of dc microgrids. These micro grid systems are designed
with an internal storage system and after that connected to a local generation. So far, the
utility grids have been associated with various challenges, for instance: they are much smaller
and are not reliable, with the huge capital requirement [1]. However, these smart grid
systems have autonomous dc grid systems which are decoupled from the utility grid system.
For instance; the Nano grids and the microgrids mostly cover the end-user devices as well as
most energy utilization within building systems. The future dictates that energy be managed
from the bottom up situation, implying from the individual entities as well as their
interconnection topologies.
The local grid connections apply either the Nano or the micro technology. They help
to meet some requirements of the smart grid in various ways as shown below
 Minimization of the electricity loses

SMART GRID TECHNOLOGY 5
The local energy generation and storage prevent loses from the distribution and
transmission systems. For instance, they eliminate the instances of ac/dc conversion,
which are significantly associated with the power loses [3].
 Minimization of the capital costs
One of the major problems experienced during the deployment of generation technique is
the high cost incurred as well as the labour requirements for installation of the ac systems.
Further, their maintenance and repair are also high in terms of costs. The micro grid and
Nano grids reduce the time that would have been utilized as well as the labour associated.
Additionally, the configuration of the power systems becomes easier with Nano and
micro technology.
 Prioritize the electricity use
Currently, the local price is utilized in shaping the demand for the power system.
However, when the price is made local for each grid, it becomes easier and reliable as the
demand and availability of power are on each of the grid. In terms of the storage systems,
they are linked with issues of electrical efficiency, lifetime and capacity. The local
demand allows fine grained management of storage systems with an economic value.
The end-user device can be used in the determination of the behaviour of forecast
functions [4].
 No manual configuration
Communication technologies allow for connection and disconnection of various devices
without requiring in a manual configuration. Also, the power technologies which achieves
the same exist and this concept can be extended to other physical layers of the power
system.
 Maximize resiliency and reliability

SMART GRID TECHNOLOGY 6
The local power distribution systems have the adaptability characterizes, making them
connect with any change in wiring or equipment's, including unexpected scenarios. It
optimally adapts in the best possible way, and it is not associated with any central entity
whose failure might affect other components. Through minimization of the complexity
and communication, the security risks that might be associated with the system are
reduced [5].
 Easily interconnect electrical domains
The controllers in the nano grid and the micro grid easily coordinate with the
communications of the utility grid in order to give a balance to both the external and the
internal needs.