Smart Microgrids: A Smart Electrical Initiative

Microgrids are the latest innovation in the quest to improve electrical utility. Microgrids are essentially a version of a centralized electricity system. They are used to achieve specific goals such as reducing carbon emissions, reducing costs, and so on.

Just like power grids, microgrids are also used to regulate the flow of electricity. But at a local level, unlike power grids.

Smart microgrids allow the use of renewable energy resources at the local level.

Smart microgrids are an ideal way to provide electricity to remote villages at reduced costs.

Smart grids make use of computer technology that facilitates communication among the people who distribute and utilize energy resources.

Benefits of smart grids

Smart grids can support technologies that integrate renewable energy into it. In addition, one of the biggest advantages of smart grids is that they enable network companies to predict power outages. This helps them to be prepared. If a power outage is predicted, network operators pass on the information to the distributors in an area so that it can be fixed before it becomes a problem. This means that smart grids reduce the frequency of power outages since the network is constantly monitored. In addition, smart grids help to make better use of the electrical and network infrastructure in an area.

Smart grids work well for consumers since it allows a person to view his or her electricity consumption in real time by employing smart meters in homes. This allows them to rule out any unnecessary activities that might be increasing energy consumption. In fact, studies have shown that the total energy consumption declines by as much as fifteen percent if users are able to track their energy use in real time. Interestingly, smart meters even provide users with prepaid recharge options from the comfort of their home. Smart meters can also detect any undue use of power and can even turn off supply in the area where the anomaly has been detected.

Smart grids are also effective when it comes to hybrid electric vehicles since consumers can charge their vehicles using smart grids. This is however applicable only during times when the rates are low.

Smart grids enable load scheduling. This means that these grids can be used to automatically turn off or turn on the power based on priority and schedule.

The only factors stopping the widespread use of smart grids are the deployment and scalability of such a technology.