Smart grids are the new generation of electrical networks. These intelligent infrastructures can use traditional as well as green, renewable energy sources, make our electricity flows more secure and improve energy efficiency – thus reducing both the cost of managing the grid and the environmental impact.
These intelligent networks evolve regularly with the technological innovation, both at transmission and distribution level, with embedded controls, IT and telecommunications capabilities. Smart grids provide a real-time, bi-directional flow of energy and information, connecting all the stakeholders in the electricity chain – allowing better communication between the power plant and the transmission grid operator, better coordination between the distribution electrical utility and the end-consumer.
Smart grids enhance their “intelligence” by using control and IT technologies, from turbine-embedded controls to utility servers, electricity storage and digital monitoring. These smart equipments are distributed across the entire grid, not only at central control-room level but also down to the end-user’s home via smart meters.
With the innovations coming from Alstom’s technology centres and field demonstrator projects, networks have already started to become dynamic and more reactive, managing the electricity flows every day with improved control and lower operational costs for the electrical utilities. A grid operator has now the capacity to fully visualise and pilot larger areas of networks more accurately from his control room, detect any risk of incident and intervene immediately, allowing the grid to be self-healing, cleaner and faster.
With its new real-time control and technological solutions for transmission and distribution electrical grids, Alstom Grid has taken the energy management into a new era of unprecedented efficiency and stability.