Smart grid
Technologies
INTRODUCTION TO SMART GRID &
EVOLUTION OF ELECTRICALS GRIDS
Evolution of energy systems
Nikola Tesla Thomas Edison
Very primitive energy Industrial revolutions – 1760s
source Firewood got replaced largely After the invention of electric power and in the late 19th
Firewood and dried with fossil sources like coal century, Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla revolutionized
agricultural waste were and fossil oil. the world of electricity with their pioneering
the main source of Invention of steam engine & contributions to power transmission. Edison was on the
energy until the IC engines revolutionized the Direct Current (DC), promoting it as a safer and reliable
discovery of fossil fuels use of energy method, while Tesla, was with Alternating Current (AC),
which allowed efficient long-distance power
transmission.
Agricultural Revolution (10,000 BCE - 5,000 BCE): With the advent of agriculture, humans began using animals (e.g., oxen,
horses) for labor. Mechanical energy from animals supplemented human labor, leading to increased agricultural productivity.
Industrial Revolution (late 18th to early 19th centuries): The invention of the steam engine by James Watt in 1769 marked a
significant turning point. Coal became a dominant energy source, powering steam engines in factories, trains, and ships. The
Industrial Revolution led to rapid urbanization, economic growth, and the mechanization of many tasks.
Electrification (late 19th to early 20th centuries): Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla's contributions led to the widespread adoption
of electricity. Electricity replaced steam as the primary power source in many industries and homes. The development of electric
grids enabled the distribution of power over long distances.
Fossil Fuel Dominance (20th century): The 20th century saw a rapid increase in the use of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) for
energy production. The discovery of oil reserves and advancements in drilling technology further fueled industrial growth and
transportation. Nuclear power also emerged as a significant source of energy, particularly for electricity generation.
Renewable Energy Revolution (late 20th century to present): Concerns about environmental degradation, climate change, and
resource depletion spurred interest in renewable energy sources. Technologies such as solar photovoltaics, wind turbines,
hydropower, and geothermal energy gained traction. Government policies, technological advancements, and declining costs have led
to rapid growth in renewable energy deployment.
Smart Grids and Energy Storage (21st century): Advancements
in information technology have facilitated the development of smart
grids, enabling more efficient and reliable energy distribution.
Energy storage technologies (e.g., batteries, pumped hydro,
hydrogen storage) have become increasingly important for
balancing supply and demand in renewable-dominated systems.
Decentralization and Electrification of Transportation
(ongoing): The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy
integration are driving efforts towards decentralization of energy
systems. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology allows EV batteries to
store and supply electricity, further blurring the lines between
transportation and energy sectors.
Energy network revolutions
Electric
Grid and
evolution
Evolution of the electricity grid
Early girds
connections
in India
Challenges in present grid
•High transmission and distribution losses.
•Inability to integrate renewable energy effectively.
•Limited outage detection and recovery mechanisms.
•Inefficient load management.
•Vulnerability to cyber-attacks.
Need of smart grid
•Energy Efficiency:
Reduces losses and optimizes resource utilization.
•Renewable Integration:
Supports solar, wind, and other green energy sources.
•Grid Reliability
Quick outage detection and faster restoration.
•Consumer Engagement:
Real-time data on usage and costs.
•Environmental Benefits:
Reduces carbon emissions by enabling clean energy.
Smart Grid
A smart Grid is an electricity Network based on Digital Technology that is used to supply electricity to
consumers via Two-Way Digital Communication. This system allows for monitoring, analysis, control and
communication within the supply chain to help improve efficiency, reduce the energy consumption and cost
and maximise the transparency and reliability of the energy supply chain.
The term “Smart Grid” was coined by Andres E. Carvallo
on April 24, 2007at an IDC energy conference in Chicago.
Definition: Smart grid is integration of an electric power system, communication network, advanced
Sensing, metering, measurement infrastructure, complete decision support and human interfaces software
and hardware to monitor, control and manage the creation, distribution, storage and consumption of energy.
The areas of application of smart grids include: smart meters integration, demand management, smart
integration of generated energy, administration of storage and renewable resources, using systems that
continuously provide and use data from an energy network.
A Smart Grid is an electricity network that can intelligently integrate the actions of all users connected to it –
generators, consumers and those that do both – in order to efficiently deliver sustainable, economic and
secure electricity supplies
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