We dwell in a world the place there’s a rise in excessive climate occasions, price of power is hovering, power firms have a scarcity of expert employees, and we have now a accountability to enhance our carbon footprint. All of this factors to the necessity for larger connectivity on the grid—which is one thing we have now seen steadily rising lately.
The U.S. Dept. of Vitality suggests the U.S. electrical grid has greater than 9,200 electrical producing items, having greater than 1 million megawatts of producing capability linked to greater than 600,000 miles of transmission traces. Nevertheless it additionally states the electrical grid is extra than simply its infrastructure. Somewhat it’s an ecosystem of asset homeowners, producers, service suppliers, and authorities officers.
The fact is the U.S. Dept. of Vitality can also be fast to emphasise the infrastructure is quickly growing old and is at present doing way more than it was initially designed to do. The one possibility is to modernize the grid to be extra resilient and smarter by the implementation of superior applied sciences. This may profit utilities—scale back peak masses, enhance integration of renewable power, and decrease operational prices. It can additionally profit customers who can now higher handle their very own power consumption and prices. There are nonetheless different components at play right here and far to contemplate.
Is it safe? Right here’s the catch. We all know the U.S. authorities has been warning of impending cyber-attacks on our important infrastructure—similar to our water and wastewater methods. After all, we additionally know the U.S. energy grid is dealing with rising cyber dangers. U.S. infrastructure is commonly a goal for cyber-attacks. So, whereas connecting the good grid is inevitable and obligatory to satisfy at this time’s rising calls for—it additionally comes with hefty dangers.
This implies power firms should take concerted steps to handle and monitor superior methods, in addition to fend off unhealthy actors for the following period of power. Right now’s utilities are sometimes turning to DERMS (distributed power useful resource administration methods). Additionally, the fast enhance in DERs (distributed power assets) illustrates the necessity for a paradigm shift and new grid-management methods to accommodate this inevitable and new complexity that comes together with a extra fashionable grid.
To deal with this, Information-Tech Analysis Group has revealed new analysis associated to DERMS, highlighting the hurdles to adoption and the short tempo of modifications which might be coming for the power sector and the regulatory frameworks. Key to this will probably be creating a holistic and environment friendly strategy, whereas reviewing case research and enterprise eventualities.
Let’s think about a framework for easy methods to make this all occur.
First, utilities have to have a imaginative and prescient and a method. There is no such thing as a doubt that any firm or utility should begin with a important want and deal with an goal to satisfy any new know-how implementation targets. First step, consider the technique imaginative and prescient for implementation and begin there.
Second, create a roadmap. Acknowledge the present state of the market and establish components that might hinder development. Ask your self what are the roadblocks that may forestall implementation? Who can forestall implementation? Be sure that to identify easy methods to bridge these gaps earlier than you even start the journey, not to mention contemplating implementation.
Third, think about the individuals and the method. We should think about our individuals coupled with the method. They go hand in hand. One won’t work with out the opposite. Don’t be fooled into considering in any other case. You want individuals, course of, and know-how to achieve success while you look don’t the street and see success. We’d like all three working collectively in tandem to have fun the groups’ achievements and to see optimistic outcomes. We should subsequently establish how the individuals and processes will probably be impacted by this new know-how.
Lastly, create a plan. Right here we should think about easy methods to roll out a DERMS, figuring out dangers and techniques to maneuver ahead.
As we have now recognized right here within the weblog, transferring to a extra linked, good grid is not optionally available—however with it comes dangers. We should think about easy methods to advance our grid, whereas additionally guaranteeing stability and safety. What step will you are taking on this new period of power?
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