Smart Grids Articles
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A complex network approach for identifying vulnerabilities of the medium and low voltage grid
The vision behind the smart grid promises, among other things, to bring more attention to the lower layers of the distribution network where users are gradually transforming into prosumers. Independent of this transformation, users will expect the same (or higher) level of reliability of the infrastructure. In this paper, we consider physical samples from the Dutch medium and low voltage network ...
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Optimisation of PHEV/EV charging infrastructures: a review
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or electric vehicle (EV) has the potential to facilitate the energy and environmental aspects of personal transportation, but face a hurdle of access to charging system. The charging infrastructure has its own complexities when it is compared with petrol stations because of the involvement of the different charging alternatives. As a result, the topic ...
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Community-coupled microgrids for the implementation of a smart grid in Tunisia
Smart grids are based on the use of ICT in order to optimise the quality and the cost of electricity generation, transport and distribution. Developing countries try to upgrade their electric grids to meet the evolving needs of the end consumers and face the energy challenge. The study of smart grid instauration in such countries must consider the disparity in terms of ICT infrastructures across ...
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Many hamsters: how the EU can enable private firms to provide renewable energy
This paper investigates the energy investment needs of the European Union (EU), including renewable energy. Europe currently has little or no economic growth, and interest rates are expected to rise. Given the state of many EU countries' economies, this is a good time to encourage investment because - according to Keynesian economics - extra spending can stimulate economic activity. The current ...
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A new time–frequency approach for hybrid differential and impedance protection of transmission lines
A new current differential protection of transmission lines is presented in this paper using an S–transform variant having very fast computational speed suitable for real–time applications. The conventional S–transform used earlier for transmission line protection has large computational overhead and thus is not suitable for generating decisions regarding the occurrence of a fault and its type on ...
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A sociotechnical systems model for smart-grid adoption in mid-sized urban environments
In this paper, we present a quantified system dynamics model simulating the adoption of smart grid technologies such as electric vehicles, PV systems and smart meters in a mid-sized urban system and the resulting impact on the CO 2 emissions. We also analyse the impact of different subsidies on the adoption and calculate the effectiveness regarding public and private spending on these ...
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Siemens Takes A Good Step Towards Energy Efficiency
The contemporary world today is facing a lot of economic and environmental challenges. It is important to find a quick and sustainable solution. Siemens, the market leader in power technology, concentrates on renewable energy, solar energy and wind power especially. The demand of solar energy and wind power in the United States is increasing as it is helping the nation to achieve the state of ...
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Decentralised operation of residential energy resources in the smart grid
In the future smart grid, improvement of power system economic cost effectiveness by suitable integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) is a critical challenge. An agent–based framework is proposed in this paper for developing suitable control strategies for operations of four different types of residential–level DERs, which are storage devices, photo voltaic systems, and two ...
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Design and implementation of a bidirectional isolated DAB–based DC/DC converter for battery system
A home area network (HAN) incorporating a high–power high–efficiency charging/discharging battery system is capable of executing energy saving strategies in the smart grid, such as TOU or DR. This paper presents a bidirectional isolated DAB–based DC/DC converter for a Li+Fe battery system in the HAN. Battery energy is controlled by the phase angle between the primary bridge and the secondary ...
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New Energy Smart Meter Rules Approved
Ofgem has approved new industry rules designed to “protect and empower” domestic and business energy consumers. The code, which comes into effect on June 1st of this year, has been developed by representatives from across the energy industry, with input from consumer groups. Ofgem has further strengthened the code’s rules on face-to-face marketing following consultation, ...
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UK energy – time to face some hard truths
How can the UK meet its future energy needs? Tom Delay, CEO of the Carbon Trust, looks at how we can solve the problem with our energy future. The future of nuclear power in the UK looks well and truly stuck. The whole episode illustrates how high the stakes are at present for our energy future. Last month the new nuclear plant at Hinckley C was granted planning permission but we still don't ...
By Carbon Trust
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The Smart Grid ‘Acid Test’ – Accommodating Variable Renewable Energy (VRE)
In the previous posts, we have discussed the need for the regulators and policy makers to develop a new framework on which to build Smart Grid. The next stage is to investigate how much VRE can be accommodated through Smart Grid. Maximising the amount of VRE that can be accommodated is the ‘Acid Test’ for Smart Grid. We are moving from a central system that provides consistent power ...
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The Major Security Companies “Wait and See” Strategy is Allowing Others to Drive innovation and Steal market share
The message from the market seems clear; major conglomerates in the security business have given up on their long standing strategy of growth through acquisition. None of them excluding Tyco, have made a significant acquisition since 2010. In the 5 years prior to that they were all active in acquiring businesses both large and small; increasing their geographic scope and updating their ...
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Energy and Netflix’s ‘House of Cards’
Netflix’s ‘House of Cards’ is the latest ‘Downton Abbey.’ Or for us older folks, it is the latest who-shot-JR Ewing – a television series that lots of people are talking about. A story of Congressional intrigue, the 13-part series has caught the attention of not only the viewing public, but also Washington insiders, who are having a good time debating ...
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State of the Smart Grid Business in 2013
Smart Grid sales across the world in the last 3 years at installed prices have grown by CAGR of approx. 35% and climbed to $36.5 billion in 2012. Given the general global economic demise during this period these figures are remarkable. However they include a steady flow of refurbishment business that has for more than 10 years incrementally improved and smartened up the control and reliability of ...
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Smart Grid Business Thrived in 2012 but Framework to make it Sustainable still not in Place
World Smart Grid sales at installed prices climbed to $36.5 billion in 2012 a growth of 30% on 2011 and M&A activity reached $19.5 billion almost doubling the value of deals in the previous year according to our latest report – http://www.memoori.com/portfolio/the-smart-grid-business-2012-to-2017/ The report shows that solid progress has been made in the last 3 years to take Smart Grid ...
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Obama and the reinvention of energy efficiency
The energy efficiency industry received a nice boost this week during President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address. Obama called for cutting energy use by half over the next 20 years. Such attention comes at a significant point in the history of the energy efficiency movement, one when it appears to be re-inventing itself again, and in a way that is likely to have appeal beyond the ...
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Energy Efficiency prospects: What to watch
Events unfolding in two US Northeast states – New York and Massachusetts – signal increased business opportunity for energy efficiency companies, green architects, lighting contractors, smart grid innovators and others in the business of saving energy. First, the energy efficiency world should keep an eye on debate over the possible shutdown of the Indian Point nuclear power plant in ...
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White Paper: MicroGrids Contribution to the Smart Grid
It is now becoming clear that the fundamental architecture of today’s electricity grid, based on the idea of a top down radial transmission system with unidirectional energy flows from large centralized power plants, is not the most appropriate to meet the needs of the low carbon economy. Micro-generation and micro-grids need to be incorporated into the electrical supply system because ...
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Guest Post: 2012 - The Year Renewables Became a Problem
Looking back on the energy news from 2012 there are a couple of over-riding trends. On a positive note, with significant taxpayer and/or ratepayer financial support through direct subsidies and Feed-In-Tariffs (FITs) renewable electrical generation is starting to have a major impact in several jurisdictions. On May 25 Germany set a new record for solar energy with production of 22 GW, providing ...
By 3BL Media
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