1. Introduction
With the increase in the demand of less human power and decreased labor the technology is advancing towards the automation system to make things much easier, simpler and accurate [1]. Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. With the passing days the automation is taking over the industries and the desideratum of human sensory is decreasing. Since the world is getting smarter with advancement in the technology and automation is the foremost and most required technology as well as automation plays an increasingly important role in the world economy and in daily experience [1].
Since the technology is upgrading with the time the ease with which we are able to access our appliance and products whether it be home appliances or big industrial machineries is increasing. Automated system provides increased flexibility and security as compared to that of manual system [2]. In the same way the foremost and the basic need of human life is power that is being supplied with the help of grids. Before moving towards any other advancement in the technology with the electrical world we must need to think about the advancement in the electrical power distribution and the thing that we need to think the first and foremost is about termed as Smart Grid [3].
The idiom Smart Grid is being used to define a digitized electrical network that uses information as well as communication technology to perceive and react against the immediate changes in the use by the consumers. Smart grid is a fast and advanced wiring system that is changing the electrical world rapidly [3]. The idiom “smart” is being used for the grid, it’s because the system is designed in a way that it uses communication system and is quite a smart system and is not being used in the current world. The crucial importance of the system is that it has capacity to store electrical power so that the consumer’s demands can be fulfilled at the time of need.
The need to adapt smart grid as the system for distribution is that it has less dependency on operator that will reduce the need of human labor and most prominently it can respond immediately to the conditions that are being changed rapidly [4] [5] [6].
In today’s era the power system which is purposefully designed in such a way that they support large scale generating stations and also they feed the need of the far distance consumers through transmission lines and that power is then being distributed to the consumer by a one way system but in the upcoming era of advanced world we should think about a two way system that is possible when the concept of smart grid will be introduced in the world. It has been observed from various case studies elaborated from various researches that Smart Grid is a need of system but certain roadblocks like dynamic security analysis, data encryption and technology interface are among the few which creates a wide gap between existing and automated grid and make research meaningful.
1.1. Stature of Smart Grid
Smart grid is something that is not only a technological advancement but is itself comprise of hundreds of benefits and the benefit of implementing smart grid as a system of transmission and distribution is very beyond the current power system network. Implementing smart grid is not as easy as it looks like because this is a technology which alone comprise of all the advances that have took place in century and is efficient more than those all advancements and modifications. To implement this system it needs a support from all governing companies as well as all advocacy groups. Also the technology which alone is capable of comprising all the advancements cannot be implemented in a very less fraction of time it will acquire quite extra time to implement although once it is being implemented is going to benefit all the stake holders as well as the consumers.
Some of the benefits that smart grid system will be comprised of are [7] - [13]:
· Give consumers a choice to get supply of power only for their use.
· The loss in power supplied that is not being consumed and is not needed to be supplied can be restricted.
· Provides better information to the consumers.
· Improvement in the system reliability.
· Reduction of environmental issues that are being observed due to current system of electrical networks.
1.2. Advanced Terminologies
Modern/current scenario is about need of Deregulated Environment and everything is getting updated or we can say that upgraded like from phones to smart phones, television to LED to smart LED (android television). Each and everything is getting faster, improvement in quality and many more. However, these cover basic amenities like seeing and living for a better sustainable life. Therefore, as a trend provided; electricity must be followed in a different way more smart oriented and method of electricity transmission and distribution should be flexible in parameters while opting for deliverables [14] [15] [16] [17]. The existing girds already have smart functionality but just to balance the supply or demand of consumers and it is one way process that firstly transmission and then distribution to the consumer so we need a advancement in technology to make these grid a smart grid. Qualitative Analysis is formulated in this paper citing key features of Smart Grid and steps required to fulfill a distant dream in terms of technology interface and making a system self sufficient.
The following table is showing the most appropriate fields which have a scope of advancement and the smart grid can be implemented somehow by using these criteria. Following table are observations citing in different literature citing need of smart Grid as evolving technology along with controlled parameters with dynamic security assessment. The need of smart grid is depicted by various scientists for decentralized power system as compared with today scenario making a system self sufficient to take decisions instead of manual intervention and increases its functionality in reducing mismatch between generation and distribution in larger context [18] - [23]. The main difference between conventional (traditional) and decision making grid (Smart Grid) about its operation and flexible characteristics in Hybrid power system with more penetration of renewable energy sources with a load factor not equal to 100%. Table 1 represents the overview of features and technical specifications in terms of deliverables.
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Table 1. Technical gaps that to implement for system Self Decisive.
2. Traditional Grid vs. Smart Grid
Different types of grids systems are available in different countries and continents depending upon centralized and decentralized power system. In Asia and most of the countries except Europe; Centralized System is being advocated and totally depended upon population and density of consumers [24] [25]. Traditional Grid incorporates different Grid levels and making Grid Architecture, but on the other hand; Smart Grid is a combination of embedded system and Optimization algorithms to make Grid self sufficient and controlling load flow in various bus system carrying active and reactive power compensations. Smart Grid has many other features like Interactive System, Two way approach reducing mismatch with Energy demand and consumption, leading to transparency which also make a structured framework which is essential for scheduling in Energy market and fulfill short term and long term goals. Smart Grid is a future of many nations which are densely populated like India where distribution losses are not optimal in comparison with transmission and generation losses due to mismanagement and less voltage profile. The main issues with distribution losses are as high as more than 30% due to Electrical Theft and non integration of renewable Energy sources with conventional Grid as lack of presence of deregulated Environment. Therefore, various advantages are being highlighted in this paper considering Smart Grid application and reduce the existing gap with generation and consumption. It has also been simulated in small distribution networks comprises of mesh structure that less voltage profile can be subjected to domestic users, but for industrial applications; high voltage profile is preferred with three system approach, hence smart grid is also beneficial in providing access to different phase systems altogether and provide a constructive framework with prefect optimized values of voltage and current values keeping losses minimum and optimized for a structured environment. Necessity of Smart Grid is felt in developed countries and developing countries also leading towards future of transmission and distribution in near future. Some of key features are being depicted in Table 2.
3. Challenges to Be Faced
Smart Grid is an idea with transforming a convention system with digital transformation with real time indices so that sufficient and transparent system framework can be designed altogether so that essential features can be structured out to make a system automated with decision making capability. It’s said that incoming of ideas are fast but implementation of that takes time and even though we have to face various challenge to implement that idea. So smart grid is also a much more advance idea in transmission and distribution but it have to face various challenges for its implementation.
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Table 2. Comparison between the Traditional Grid and the proposed Smart Grid.
· Initial cost.
· 2 way communication.
· Lack of knowledge of costumer.
· Advanced Metering Infrastructure.
· Power issues.
· Existing Infrastructure.
· Sensing Mechanism.
· Grid Integration with RES.
· Optimization Algorithms.
3.1. Initial Cost
Smart gird is the idea that will take transmission and distribution technology to next advance level but to implement that there is a huge amount to be paid for the investment which may take much more time to come in action. As lot of things are from conductors to AMU, connecting the provider and consumer and many more. Despite of initial investment, existing framework must be improved in consideration with Smart Grid, therefore additional cost is also subjected to transformation of existing system to proposed system of Smart Grid. It has been analyzed in year 2019 that more than 70% of existing cost must be required to develop a testing framework of Smart Grid.
3.2. 2 Way Communication
As already discussed smart grid is a two way communication so provider and consumer both need to be connected to each other but the population of INDIA is very large so connecting each and everyone to a service provider is much a challenging task. So it might take much a long time to make this communication part strong. Smart Grid makes a two way communication in terms of generation and consumption with communication protocols like PS2 or WSN leading to complex structure with inbuilt analysis for Energy forecasting considering short term and long terms goals subjected to number of consumers, number of devices and number of distribution and power generating companies to incorporate. It has been predicted in studies using HOMER software that with integration of Smart Grid, distribution losses will reduce to 20% of existing one.
3.3. Lack of Knowledge of Costumer
Since smart grid is a new idea. So many a people do not have proper idea of it. They don’t actually know what may be the advantage of this smart grid. In India, most of the population lives in rural and suburban areas, therefore type of load in terms of voltage profile and current carrying capacity, amount of connected load with variable load factor is unknown. It has been observed that 70% of the population in India doesn’t have a requisite knowledge of its load characteristics.
3.4. Advanced Metering Infrastructure
Smart meters our AMU (advance monitoring unit) in which both the information i.e. consumption of power and transmission of power both will be noted and final bill be generate. But this concept is very much costly and will take many years to come in action. This kind of system is automatic and requires no human intervention in determining sustainability indices in consideration of existing load.
3.5. Power Issues
As to implement smart grid new things are to be added which may also lead to power cuts may a time which may cause problem to consumers. Power dealing with existing authorities need to be replaced among inter and intra state purchase and selling requisite. It has been analyzed with Government of India that more than 60% manpower would be reduced in comparison with existing one.
3.6. Existing Infrastructure
India is densely populated country with generation capacity is only limited maximum to convention generation like hydro power plants, thermal power plants and nuclear power plants. Therefore, with existing power framework, India is limited to centralized power system and selling and purchase of electricity at an individual capacity is not allowed. Smart Grid will incorporate more generation capacity at generation end so that burden on power management companies would be reduced.
3.7. Sensing Mechanism
Conventional Power systems are subjected to theft and single variable approach is used with constant voltage profile. Smart Grid will incorporate WSNs at remote level and can be globally recognized with current carrying capacity of every customer so that analysis can be qualitatively with an objective of data collection and availability of power. Smart Grid will have to incorporate data encryption mechanism for securing of data collectively with multi variable approach.
3.8. Grid Integration with RES
RES (Renewable Energy Sources) like Wind, Tidal, Solar, Biomass and other potential sources have a very limited share in generating electricity, therefore capital investment is more and less operations and dwelling into electricity market. Across globe, various countries like Canada and USA, Electricity deals with share market and various TSO and GSO are available and deregulation of Electricity occurs. This is a very promising challenge in existing framework.
3.9. Optimization Algorithms
Various Algorithms (Systematic or Aligned) can be applied in a system to improve the sustainability indices but without digital transformation; this kind of change is not possible. However, Smart grid poses a variable optimization approach for individual parameter.
It has been studied by various studies and churn out various challenges posed by Smart Grid as compared with conventional system but these challenges must be overcome efficiently so that relative change can be maintained and efficient system can be developed.
4. Conclusions
Smart grid is the most comprehended research in the electrical system from a long period of time and it is developing day by day. From all the data the author has observed that the smart grid system will provide a different scenario for the distribution of power as well as it is neither centered to consumers nor to the suppliers but is equally beneficial to both of them. Electrical energy distribution through smart grid will reduce consumption by 10% - 20% with emission of CO2 by 30% (source: electrical power research institute).
By the implementation of smart grid in the power system the consumers will realize a greater reliability of the system as well as will have a better control over power consumed and supplied.
The operators will have an improved monitoring system as well as better control capabilities that will help them to supply in the overgrowing power demands to fulfill the needs.