Global Experiences in Smart Grid - Applications and Implementations

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Written by Kumaraguru Prabakar and Deepthi Vaidhynathan

Interoperability is the ability of two or more intelligent electronic devices (IEDs)—from the same vendor or from different vendors—to exchange information and to use that information for the correct execution of specified functions [1]. Device interoperability prevents additional spending on data concentration or protocol translation. Interoperability is essential for enabling communication between different assets in the power system at a reasonable cost. The interoperability requirement in IEDs started as a standard requirement for substation automation and is now a requirement for most standard equipment used in the power system space. Multiple protocols are available in the industry to enable interoperability in photovoltaic (PV) inverters, including International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850 [2], Distributed Network Protocol 3 (DNP3) [3], SunSpec Modbus [4], and OpenFMB [5].

Written by Noel N. Schulz*, Anurag K. Srivastava*, Suresh C. Srivastava#, Santanu Mishra#, Ankush Sharma#, and Sanjeev Pannala*

How do we energize all the households in villages and hamlets in India via microgrids to provide more reliable electricity supply?  How will machine learning and other AI techniques change power system modeling and operations in the United States?  How do we create “greener” advanced distribution systems in both India and the US?

Written by Aaron F. Snyder, Vadim Zheglov, and Michele Pastore

In the developing world, there is a wave of smart grid technology implementations driven by the desire to reduce “commercial” losses (another term for “non-technical” losses, or those not directly related to the power system infrastructure). Quite often, however, this use case is not part of an initial project architecture, conceptual model, or pilot, leaving in place a connected smart grid system (distribution automation or smart meters and advanced metering infrastructure) that either lacks the capacity or installed configuration to provide the necessary information. Then the option to “upgrade” that capability to meet that use case can be expensive in money or personnel.

Written by Somesh Bhattacharya, Brian Azzopardi, and Renata Sadula

Malta’s  first multiutility smart metering grid appeared about a decade ago.  Since then, the Maltese nation has been continuously providing support in funding and schemes for energy and water-related projects such as the widespread encouragement of photovoltaics, rainwater catchment tunnels and water filtrations and quality-related projects.  What is certain is that as a small geographic archipelago and its high population density, the Maltese environment offers world’s first opportunities for national testbeds.

Written by Alireza Fereidunian, Sahand Ghaseminejad Liasi, Mohsen Kojury-Naftchali, and Ali Alizadeh

Recent developments in information and communication technologies have led to growing penetration of the automation technologies in electrical power distribution systems. Nowadays, perform automatic processing and action using advanced detection, processing and control units is a trending practice in power distribution systems. In this letter, distribution systems automation or simply “distribution automation (DA)” is elaborated, regarding a systems approach.


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IEEE Smart Grid Bulletin Compendium

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