Page 37 - Impiantistica Italiana

Fig. 2 - Many things can be
called “smart”, but discus-
sions of “smart grids” are
often limited to distribution
systems

EU countries have been around 5 billion euros in of technologies in both the electric power industry
transmission and 27 in distribution. and in the ICT arena, all these factors are pushing
IEA underlines that “overall, the grid is modernizing for a better and more thorough integration of the
and moving from a pure electricity delivery business operations of P - T – D and clients / prosumers.
to an integrated platform for data and services, Many things can be called “smart”, but discus-
enabled by rapid progress in digital information and sions of “smart grids” are often limited to distribu-
communications technologies, which grew to over tion systems. Advanced hardware (power system
10% of networks spending”. This is changing com- infrastructures) and advanced ICT’s (and a terrific
pletely the roles of all the stakeholders. number of data involved with communications) are
All the sources agree that T&D is the energy market the key ingredients for smart grids (figure 2).
with the greatest expected growth in future years, ICT is an asset but without adequate infrastructu-
together with RES. According to INMR [3], the ex- res it does not solve the problem. ICT cannot con-
penditure in T&D equipment and systems will reach trol the flow of electrons if there are no adequate
312 billion US$ in 2025, with an increase of more overhead lines (OHTL’s) and substations. But also
than 50% with respect to 2015. In figure 1 we see vice versa, there is no optimum utilization of power
the share by regions in the year 2025, compared system infrastructure without ICT.
to that of 2015. My definition of a smart grid is: “A smart grid (or
The expenditures in Asia, mostly driven by China, better a smart electrical system) is an evolved sy-
increase in 2025 the global share approaching stem from any type of production to consumers
50%, even not including India. The Indian Sub- that manages the electricity production, transmis-
continent and Africa also increase their shares and sion, distribution and demand through measuring,
overcome South America, ranging 4 and 5 re- communicating, elaborating and controlling all
th
th
spectively, after Asia, Western Europe and North online quantities of interest with transparent info
America. accessible to all involved stakeholders; this to op-
The European Union EU [3] envisages for the 2021- timize the valorization of assets and the reliable
2050 period a yearly expenditure in investments in and economic operation allowing adequate global
T&D in the range between 41 and 65 billion euros, savings with smart sharing of costs and benefits
compared to the expenditure of 30 to 35 billion eu- among all the stakeholders involved.”
ros during the 2011-20 period. Considering the consequences of possible bot-
tlenecks in transmission, the quick application of
2. The key role of smart grid concepts to transmission should be im-
plemented as soon as possible and should include
transmission also in an for OHTL’s:
extended view of smart grids • “smart upgrading / uprating” of existing line
corridors;
In recent years, deregulation and the opening of • new types of eco towers / lines;
markets have pushed for the unbundling of produc- • dynamic loading;
tion (P), transmission (T), distribution (D) and sales • above all, interconnections between countries
(S). This happened with the proliferation of new en- and transmission of bulk powers from remote
tities, split responsibilities, different and conflicting / economic sources.
interests etc. On the other hand, environmental is-
sues, increases of RES penetration and requests of It is worth noting that FACTS devices help in in-
demand response, the ever increasing difficulties in creasing transport capacity in power systems, in
building new transmission lines, the development avoiding loop power flows, in improving transient

Impiantistica Italiana - Marzo-Aprile 2018 35