The Big Picture: Smart Research for Large-Scale Integrated Smart Grid Solutions (original) (raw)

2000, IEEE Power and Energy Magazine

HISTORICAL crossroads. Decisions must soon be made about the direction of grid development so that it can meet extraordinary economic challenges, critical needs for energy security, and essential requirements for a sustainable way of life. This is a defi ning moment in terms of our nation's commitment to providing an electric energy system, including a bulk transmission network, that can meet the societal needs of the 21st century and beyond. A major evolutionary step in the grid's design, planning, and operation is needed, one that adopts new design concepts and innovative technologies that can be integrated into a modern infrastructure. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provided a number of opportunities to achieve these far-reaching objectives. This article describes a vision of-and the steps needed to reach-the national objective of having a smart grid infrastructure. Our focus is on new concepts and related technological considerations in developing smart grid solutions that will meet the seven objectives of the smart grid, as identifi ed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): 1) enabling informed participation by customers 2) accommodating all generation and storage options 3) enabling new products, services, and markets 4) providing the level of power quality required to meet the full range of needs in the 21stcentury economy 5) optimizing asset utilization and operating efficiently 6) addressing disturbances through automated prevention, containment, and restoration 7) operating resiliently against all hazards. To achieve these goals, smart research and development efforts must harmonize four principal aspects of the future grid: ✔ Expansion of the electricity grid infrastructure: This includes building new infrastructure to replace aging infrastructure while expanding grid capacity, improving the operation and efficiency of the existing infrastructure, and developing novel concepts, technologies, and applications. The smart grid will integrate renewable generation and distributed energy sources. It will also enable creative options for customers to participate in system operations by offering their loads and storage capability (e.g., from plugin hybrid electric vehicles) as resources. Customers also want options for making their own usage more energy and cost efficient (such as through building energy management systems).