Modernising the Smart Grid

The below link provides an overview of a IEEE course on Modernising the Smart Grid. It has 4 modules of over 4 hours each on Grid Modernisation. http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=1830336&s=1&k=50A85206B06CF50BFFA9EB6901DBE1E1 . Listening to the overview and it does appear to be USA centric - but still with important parallels for Australia.

It is given by John D McDonald of IEEE Smart Grid Business Development. The following four modules are covered off. I have picked some bits from the overview.

> Module 1: Strong before Smart

> Module 2: Smart Distribution Systems

> Module 3: The Digitized Grid

> Module 4: Engaging Consumers in the Smart Grid Marketing Place

He clearly articulates that policy is as important as the engineering and highlights issues that make for successful policy. My personal feeling is that Australia is in a quagmire of poorly thought out policy that is doing more to drive up electricity prices than anything else.

He has also presented a great value stack for the SmartGrid. Very useful up-to-date model below incorporating such things as Home Automation and Electric Vehicles.

We then took a really fascinating look at the standards portion. Lots of standards when it comes to the inter-communications between the many many devices and thankfully not so many for the actual electrical part. Really interesting is the captured data is duplicated many times across the network. A possible reason is the value that is created via this access to data.

He then really goes into the importance of the distribution network and associated equipment.

His segmentation of users was particularly relevant to the Australian market. He specifically identifies the level to which they are engaged. While I have not included the slide he also identifies that for users to incorporate new technology in their homes they like to purchase this at Home Improvement stores !

One other item highlighted - a survey in the USA showed that if there had been Grid outages the population in the area were very much more aware of it and were ready to pay more. He has also addressed organizational issues such as retiring workforce (40% of employees will retire in 5 years and 60% of executives). He touched on utilities structured along the lines of old superseded technology.