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Papers
- Smart Grid (U.S. Department of Energy)
" 'Smart grid' generally refers to a class of technology people are using to bring utility electricity delivery systems into the 21st century, using computer-based remote control and automation. These systems are made possible by two-way communication technology and computer processing that has been used for decades in other industries. They are beginning to be used on electricity networks, from the power plants and wind farms all the way to the consumers of electricity in homes and businesses. They offer many benefits to utilities and consumers -- mostly seen in big improvements in energy efficiency on the electricity grid and in the energy users’ homes and offices."
"Benefits include enhanced cyber-security, handling sources of electricity like wind and solar power and even integrating electric vehicles onto the grid. The companies making smart grid technology or offering such services include technology giants, established communication firms and even brand new technology firms." 10-12
- Smart Grid (Wikipedia.org)
"A smart grid is an electrical grid that uses information and communications technology to gather and act on information, such as information about the behaviors of suppliers and consumers, in an automated fashion to improve the efficiency, reliability, economics, and sustainability of the production and distribution of electricity." 10-12
- Smart Grid and Wind Energy (eMeter.com)
"...the lack of grid-scale storage means that when there is too much wind energy for the transmission grid to handle, or when there is no buyer in the market, grid operators order wind producers to 'curtail' production — stop the turbines. In Texas last year these curtailments led to an estimated $57 million in generation losses, according to PBT Consulting. Curtailments in that state grew by 182% compared to 2009. Meanwhile, Texas keeps building more wind generation."
"The smart grid will make it possible to capture more benefits from wind power — and greatly reduce the problems that too many turbines currently can create." 10-12
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