If you’ve seen solar panels on rooftops or wind power generated off coastal locales, you’re witnessing examples of DERs. Use of smart thermostats, electric vehicles, EV charging systems, fuel cells, or heat pumps also shows DERs. Additionally, participation in a local microgrid demonstrates the use of distributed energy resources, also known as DERs.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), distributed energy resources involve “a variety of technologies that generate electricity at or near where it will be used” rather than centralized sources. DERs support single homes, businesses, huge industrial facilities, college campuses, and entire municipalities. This is often achieved through a microgrid that connects to a central utility’s distribution lines. They are popular because they reduce electricity costs, improve power quality, and support renewable energy. They’ve become increasingly popular.
Benefits of Distributed Energy Resources
Thanks to DERs, homes and businesses can reduce grid dependence. The grid is aging, with portions over a century old. DERs also minimize power outage risks, which are rising due to severe storms and disasters. At the same time, DERs offer users greater control. They allow users to generate energy for personal use, sell it, or modify demand.
As such, one doesn’t have to look far to see evidence of the growing market and demand for DERs worldwide. For instance:
- On the solar panel front, Fortune Business Insights predicts the global solar power market will nearly double. It is expected to grow from US$254 billion in 2023 to US$437 billion by 2032.
- Statista projects the global battery energy storage market will grow from US$5 billion in 2023 to US$18 billion by 2030, more than tripling.
- Electric cars, which were 2% of all vehicles globally in 2018, accounted for about 18% of cars sold in 2023.
- Smart thermostat sales in the U.S. are set to triple, growing from roughly US$1.3 billion in 2022 to US$3.9 billion by 2029.
Growing Demand
The outlook for DERs continues to be positive. Declining initial price points are driving demand for these technologies. Additionally, federal support and funding through the Inflation Reduction Act are boosting demand. They offer financial rebates and incentives to encourage adoption. Similarly, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Order No. 222 will compensate DER owners for power provided to the grid. According to the World Resources Institute, this will create “a new long-term value stream for the people and entities using these resources.”
Similar actions are happening globally to support DER proliferation. In Europe, the ‘European Green Deal’ and ‘Clean Energy for all Europeans’ initiatives promote renewable energy sources and DERs. The International Energy Agency confirms DERs are crucial for China’s energy transformation.
Ultimately, experts confirm that the ongoing transition to DERs will promote a more reliable, energy-efficient, and equitable energy system worldwide.
Challenges Abound
While DERs offer benefits such as resilience, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability, challenges exist too.
Harmonious operation of these systems requires investments in new technology. With many small-scale DERs activated worldwide, experts warn of potential issues. Integration with central power sources can lead to quality, compatibility, and reliability challenges. These will need more grid management control.
For these reasons, the IEEE Standard 1547 is crucial. It ensures the interconnection, interoperability, and safety of DERs connected to the grid.
“Before this standard, connecting renewable energy to the grid was challenging.” Christopher Sanderson, an industry expert, explained, “Each technology had its own protocols and requirements.” The IEEE Standard 1547 allows different DERs to work together seamlessly, he stated. It ensures electricity from various sources is reliably and efficiently integrated into the grid.
Navigate IEEE Standard 1547 Through a Targeted Course Program
Introduction to IEEE Standard 1547-2018: Connecting Distributed Energy Resources is a six-course program by IEEE. It trains technical teams on implementing this important standard. The course covers testing, verification, interoperability, and power quality issues from DER-grid interconnections.
Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn more about getting access to this program for your organization.
Interested in access for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN).
Resources
Hurst, R.W. What is Distributed Generation? Distributed Energy Resources. The Electricity Forum.
Distributed Generation of Electricity and its Environmental Impacts. United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Richmond-Crosset, Kyle and Greene, Zachary. (30 September 2022). How Distributed Energy Resources Can Lower Power Bills, Raise Revenue in US Communities. World Resources Institute.
(May 2022). Unlocking the Potential of Distributed Energy Resources. International Energy Agency.
Ali, Junaid. (16 August 2024). The Future of Energy and Distributed Power. Forbes.
(5 August 2024). Solar Power Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Technology. Fortune Business Insights.
Sanderson, Christopher. (30 June 2024). The Power of Standards: How IEEE-1547 Shapes Our Energy Future. LinkedIn.
Will Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) Change How We Get Our Energy? European Parliament.
Prospects for Distributed Energy Systems in China. International Energy Agency.
By their very nature, engineers are expert planners. They are trained to take many factors into consideration as they design, construct, and maintain a broad range of complex systems. These systems and structures are used across the market’s wide variety of industries and applications. However, one variable that’s proven more difficult to account for over the years when it comes to electric grid resiliency has been the weather and its increasingly volatile nature.
According to a recent report by the American Meteorological Society, climate change is leading to more extreme weather around the world. It is increasing the risk of everything from violent storms to unprecedented heat waves, floods, droughts, and other natural disasters.
Resilient Electric Grids in the Face of Weather Events
The growing incidence and severity of weather events has had an especially significant impact on electric grids worldwide. A recent report from science and technology organization Climate Central confirms that the resultant frequency of weather-related power outages is rising.
“We’re going to require a more robust grid than was built previously,” said Jen Brady, a lead analyst for Climate Central.
Consider Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 hurricane, whose widespread storm surge knocked out power to 2.7 million customers in Florida— nearly 25% of the state’s residents— in September 2022. Another example is Storm Ciarán, whose 100 mph winds resulted in power outages for millions of residents across multiple countries in November 2023. Elsewhere, Typhoon Lan knocked out power to tens of thousands of customers throughout western Japan in August 2023. Moreover, over 2.1 million customers lost power following a powerful storm that hit Sao Paulo, Brazil in November 2023. More than 500,000 homes and businesses in southeastern Australia’s capital region lost power in February 2024. This was after a violent storm damaged a major power plant’s transmission network.
The fact is, many electric grid systems worldwide haven’t caught up to the climate reality we’re now experiencing globally. As a result, planning for unforeseen weather emergencies has become more essential. Taking steps to ensure the increased resiliency of electric grids is crucial for utilities and the communities they serve.
In response, electric utilities worldwide are engaging in a variety of proactive initiatives to “harden” their systems. According to Power Magazine, these measures include upgrades to the quality, capacity, and efficiency of transmission circuits and components. Plus, employment of tree-trimming and other vegetation management activities. Moreover, they are using artificial intelligence platforms to better predict the impact of forecasted storms. Finally, the installation of intelligent sensors and smart meters to help identify and restore power outages.
Starting From the Ground Up
Electric reliability and grid resiliency take on another meaning altogether for the estimated 750-800 million people around the world. This group, nearly 10% of the world’s population, currently has no access to electricity at all. The majority of the affected population live in sub-Saharan African countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, and Ethiopia. Here, and in other underdeveloped regions, the establishment of “minigrids” is the quickest and most cost-effective way to bring power to remote locations. These places lack large, central electric grids.
Distributing electricity generated by renewable sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage, hydropower, and diesel generators, minigrids are a solution. Due to their sustainable design and reliance on renewable power sources, The World Bank believes minigrids can provide electricity to up to 500 million people by 2030. Minigrids can also reduce the world’s carbon footprint.
The construction and activation of minigrids is already making positive inroads globally. For example, recently implemented hydro-powered minigrids have brought much-needed electricity to over 1.5 million people in Nepal. Elsewhere, a system of nearly two dozen minigrids distributes energy to over 10,000 rural residents of West Bengal, India. Additionally, thanks to US$150 million in funding from The World Bank, Kenya’s government recently announced plans to build 137 solar minigrids. These are designed to provide electricity to nearly 300,000 households in remote sectors of the nation.
Enabling Access
Minigrids hold great promise for providing access to electricity in undeveloped communities worldwide. This is especially true in Africa, where the use of minigrids could impact the greatest number of people most quickly.
IEEE encourages professionals to learn more about minigrids. This effort to adopt and accelerate their deployment in communities can offer significant benefits.
Through Minigrids in Africa, a four-course program from IEEE, learners are introduced to the distinct opportunities and challenges. These arise when deploying electric minigrids that provide reliable power to millions of people in Africa, where many currently have no access to any sources of electricity. Topics include the contextual, technological, regulatory, and policy considerations for minigrids in Africa, as well as their design and deployment, operation, and future on that continent.
This course program is ideal for everyone from minigrid engineers, project managers, developers, and entrepreneurs. National grid engineers, managers, and policy and regulatory professionals can also benefit.
Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn how to get access to this program for your organization.
If you’re interested in access for yourself, visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN).
Resources
Allard, Anthony. (18 August 2022). Preparing the Grid for an Above-Average Hurricane Season. Power Magazine.
Karlin, Sam. (9 October 2022). Hurricanes Ian and Ida Hammered Two States’ Electric Grids. Nola.com.
Deger, Bill. (5 November 2023). Storm Ciarán Turns Deadly in Northern Europe, as 100-mph Winds Knock Out Power For Millions. AccuWeather.
Hersher, Rebecca. (9 January 2023). Climate Change Makes Heat Waves, Storms and Droughts Worse, Climate Report Confirms. NPR.
Boadle, Anthony and Moreira, Camila. (6 November 2023). Hundreds of Thousands Still Without Power Days After Storm Hits Brazil’s Largest City. Reuters.
Proffer, Erica. (6 October 2022). A New Report Shows Weather-Related Power Outages ono the Rise. KVUE.
Haun, Andy. (12 April 2019). Micro or Mini: There’s a Grid Type for Every Energy Need. Microgrid Knowledge.
Wood, Elisa. (28 March 2020). What is a Microgrid? Microgrid Knowledge.
(25 June 2019). Mini Grids for Half a Billion People: Market Outlook and Handbook for Decision Makers. The World Bank.
The Africa Minigrids Program. United Nations Development Programme.
(27 February 2023). Solar Mini Grids Could Sustainably Power 380 Million People in Africa by 2030 – if Action is Taken Now. The World Bank.
Mwirigi, Cosmas. (14 March 2023). Kenya to Combat Rural Energy Access Gap With Over 130 solar Minigrids. PV Magazine.
With electricity powering every corner of life and work in modern society, the absence of reliable access to electricity can indelibly impact a community or country’s ability to function. It can also hinder their ability to conduct business and make the forward progress necessary for a positive and productive future.
The Need for Minigrids
Recent statistics confirm that an estimated 750-800 million people— some 9-10% of the world’s population— don’t have access to electricity. While progress has been made towards improving global access to electricity, the current number of people living without electricity is half of what it was 20 years ago. However, the impact of the pandemic along with rising food and fuel prices globally have driven an increase in the worldwide number of people living without electricity for the first time in more than a decade. This trend is especially concerning in sub-Saharan African countries. This is because over 550 million people already live without electricity. In such countries as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, and Ethiopia, population growth is outpacing electric connections.
These realities have placed more emphasis than ever on the need to expand access to reliable power in Africa. They have also led to concerted global efforts to establish minigrids in the continent’s most underdeveloped regions. Deemed the quickest and most cost-effective way to bring power to remote locations where no large, central electric grids exist, microgrid projects in undeveloped regions worldwide are bringing hope. They are helping vulnerable communities that might otherwise be relegated to a future of poverty.
What Are Minigrids?
There are currently three types of grid structures through which electricity is distributed to users:
“Macrogrids” are centralized electric grids designed to serve large populations. Present in modern industrial economies such as North America, Europe, and China, macrogrids manage electricity supply. They promote reliable energy generation and distribution to all customers.
“Microgrids” are local, self-sufficient energy systems that are designed to support a defined community of users. With their ability to either operate independently of a macrogrid or tap into it if necessary, microgrids help ensure greater resiliency, reliability, and power quality for users.
Optimal for remote or rural locations that have little or no access to a larger macrogrid, “minigrids” are smaller-scale microgrids. They are designed to distribute electricity generated by such renewable sources as solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage, hydropower, and diesel generators. Following a recent decline in the cost of minigrid construction and the subsequent kWh cost of the electricity they generate, combined with an increase in their quality and performance, the World Bank suggests that, with the right amount of investment, minigrids powered by all sources “have the potential to provide electricity to as many as 500 million people by 2030.” Because they’re powered by renewable sources, minigrids can also help reduce the world’s carbon footprint. This is achieved by potentially avoiding the emission of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
According to the United States Agency for International Development, examples of successful minigrid projects in underdeveloped nations around the world in the past decade include:
- The construction of hydro-powered minigrids in rural Nepal that currently provide electricity to over 1.5 million residents,
- A collection of 23 solar-powered minigrids successfully distributing energy to 10,000 rural residents within remote, swampy communities in West Bengal, India, and
- A hydro-powered minigrid bringing much-needed electricity to both local residents as well as The Mufindi Tea and Coffee Company factory in rural Tanzania.
Electrifying Potential
The Africa Minigrids Program (AMP) is one of several organizations currently working to promote global private and public investment in solar battery-powered minigrids throughout 21 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the organization aims to enhance quality of life. It also works to support socio-economic development for hundreds of millions of individuals for generations to come.
“While Africa remains the least electrified continent, it also has the biggest potential for solar minigrid deployment,” confirmed Gabriela Elizondo Azuela, Manager of the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP). This program forecasts that solar-powered minigrids alone could power 380 million people in Africa by 2030 if properly supported and funded.
Help Achieve a Balance of Power With IEEE
Minigrids hold great promise for providing access to electricity in undeveloped countries and communities worldwide, especially in Africa. In this region, the use of minigrids could impact the greatest number of people most quickly.
Minigrids in Africa, a four-course program from IEEE, introduces learners to the distinct opportunities and challenges of deploying electric minigrids. These minigrids could provide reliable power to millions of people in Africa, where many currently have no access to electricity. Topics covered include the contextual, technological, regulatory, and policy considerations for minigrids in Africa. Additionally, their design and deployment, operation, and future on the continent are discussed. This course program is ideal for everyone from minigrid engineers, minigrid project managers, and minigrid developers and entrepreneurs to national grid engineers/managers and policy and regulatory professionals.
Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn how to get access to this program for your organization.
Interested in access for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN).
Resources
Cozzi, Laura, Wetzel, Daniel, Tonolo, Gianluca, and Hyppolite II, Jacob. (3 November 2022). For the First Time in Decades, the Number of People Without Access to Electricity is Set to Increase in 2022. International Energy Agency.
Ritchie, Hannah. (30 November 2021). The Number of People Without Electricity More than Halved Over the Last 20 Years. Our World in Data.
Haun, Andy. (12 April 2019). Micro or Mini: There’s a Grid Type for Every Energy Need. Microgrid Knowledge.
Wood, Elisa. (28 March 2020). What is a Microgrid? Microgrid Knowledge.
(25 June 2019). Mini Grids for Half a Billion People: Market Outlook and Handbook for Decision Makers. The World Bank.
The Africa Minigrids Program. United Nations Development Programme.
(27 February 2023). Solar Mini Grids Could Sustainably Power 380 Million People in Africa by 2030 – if Action is Taken Now. The World Bank.
Today’s residential and business sectors have never been more dependent on the reliable flow of electricity. From consumers demanding instantaneous internet connectivity—both at home and on-the-go— to the vast majority of businesses both large and small relying on uninterrupted electric power, electricity is critical to keep operations running, communications intact, and more.
However, while electricity is key to much of daily life, numerous developments have recently put a strain on the electric grid and stand to impede the continuous and reliable flow of electricity. Some of the factors that have led to issues of both resiliency and sustainability for electric users include:
- the ever-expanding electricity demands of a growing population
- the increased frequency of powerful storms and other natural disasters that cause power outages and damage utility assets
- aging grid infrastructure that drives inefficiencies and power quality losses
One solution that could offer a win-win solution to these dilemmas is the emergence of microgrid technologies.
Benefitting From Self-Sufficient Energy Systems
According to industry sources Microgrid Knowledge and the U.S. Department of Energy, microgrids are self-sufficient energy systems that support a defined community of users. Such communities could be a university campus, a hospital, a corporate center, or a residential neighborhood.
Typically driven or supported by solar power, wind turbines, battery energy storage systems (BESS), generators, fuel cells, and other renewable energy sources, microgrids can operate independently from the main electric grid if needed. Essentially, the microgrid becomes an energy “island” that’s impervious to power disruptions experienced by the main grid. At the same time, microgrid use of local generation reduces power losses that are inherent in the traditional long-distance transmission and distribution (T&D) of electricity. For example, across the United States’ nearly six million miles of T&D lines, losses can be up to 15% and some European Union countries experience up to 17% power losses.
Through sophisticated software, microgrids can also be “intelligent” in terms of their ability to optimize use of multiple energy resources to achieve any of a number of specific goals. Common goals include securing the least expensive energy (perhaps by purchasing energy from the main grid if that’s the cheapest source on a particular day), producing the greenest energy or the most reliable supply, as well as other objectives.
A Solution of Choice
Based on these powerful capabilities and benefits, microgrid technologies have been the solution of choice for a range of critical projects.
For example, energy infrastructure provider AlphaStruxure recently announced its plan to create and operate an 11.34 MW microgrid that will transform JFK International Airport’s new terminal into “the first fully resilient airport transit hub in the New York region that can function off-grid during power disruptions.”
Back in 2011, a hurricane and snowstorm knocked out power to 750,000 area homes in Hartford, Connecticut for nearly two weeks. But thanks to a microgrid recently built by the city of Hartford, power now reliably flows to a number of the city’s most critical and life-sustaining environments, including a healthcare facility, school, gas station, and grocery store.
Similar microgrids built in the past five to ten years are helping to sustain operations at college campuses including Princeton University in New Jersey and New York University in Manhattan, as well as at Co-Op City, a housing development that’s home to over 50,000 residents in The Bronx, New York. Additionally, Microsoft recently announced its intention to build a new data center microgrid in San Jose, California.
International examples include planned microgrids at The Royal Mint in Wales and the Chub Cay Resort Marina in The Bahamas. The World Bank also plans to fund six microgrid projects in rural Nigeria.
According to Annette Clayton, CEO of Schneider Electric North America, the organization which will be providing microgrid technology, software, and services to AlphaStruxure’s microgrid installation at JFK Airport, “microgrids solve two of the most serious challenges — resilience and decarbonization — with a single solution.”
Get Up to Speed on Microgrid Technologies
Whether you’re a city planner, an energy service provider, operate a mission-critical facility that’s reliant on the continuous flow of electricity, or are a savvy energy user or professional, it behooves you to learn more about the operation, benefits, and inner workings of microgrids.
The IEEE Academy on Smart Grid Microgrids offers a solid overview of microgrid technologies and their integration with renewable energy sources and energy management systems. Upon completing this five-hour online training, learners will gain a better understanding of the latest trends, technologies, solutions, and applications for microgrids. Learners will also explore the benefits, challenges, best practices, and insights related to microgrid modeling, analysis, protection, and control.
For more information or to enroll in this program, please visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN)
Resources
Office of Electricity. The Role of Microgrids in Helping to Advance the Nation’s Energy System. U.S. Department of Energy.
Wood, Elisa. (28 March 2020). What is a Microgrid?. Microgrid Knowledge.
Brush, Kate. (Accessed 30 August 2022). DEFINITION: finite element analysis (FEA). TechTarget.
Innovation & Policy: Energy Efficiency. T&D Europe.
AlphaStruxure to Design, Construct, and Operate JFK’s New Terminal One Microgrid, Creating the Largest Rooftop Terminal Solar Array in the U.S. (26 January 2023). AlphaStruxure/PR Newswire.
Gies, Erica. (4 December 2017). Microgrids Keep These Cities Running When the Power Goes Out. Inside Climate News.
Wood, Elisa. (15 June 2022). Enchanted Rock to Build California’s Largest RNG Microgrid for Microsoft. Microgrid Knowledge.
Wood, Elisa. (11 January 2022). 22 intriguing microgrid projects to watch in 2022. Microgrid Knowledge.
While the global pandemic has created an uncertain future for renewables, new discoveries are giving researchers hope for a greener tomorrow. According to a pair of recently published studies from Tel Aviv University, two naturally abundant resources—plants and humidity—may revolutionize renewable energy in the future by generating electricity.
Can Plants Generate Electricity?
One of the studies revealed that plants, which contain chlorophyll, may be able to act as natural solar panels. However, scientists are still determining how the electrical currents of plants can be “plugged into” man-made devices.
“At home, an electric current can be wired to many devices. Just plug the device into a power outlet,” Iftach Yacoby, head of The Laboratory of Renewable Energy Studies at Tel Aviv University’s Faculty of Life Sciences, told CTECH. “But when you want to do it in plants, it’s about the order of nanometers. We have no idea where to plug the plugs. That’s what we did in this study.”
By using a hydrogen-producing enzyme to “sit in the socket” of the plant cell, the researchers proved that they possess a socket for everything. Even though it was nanotermically-sized, previously it was just a theory. The researchers believe they will now be able to engineer any type of plant or kelp with the purpose of energy production.
Yacoby told CTECH that he wants to use plant enzymes to create ammonia, a compound traditionally used in fertilizers, that doesn’t pollute the environment. “If we can get plants to produce ammonia on their own, we don’t need to produce fertilizer at all. We can give up nitrogen fertilizer and allow plants to use nitrogen in the air without fertilizer,” he said.
While the technology is promising, it won’t be economical for at least another ten years.
Water Vapor May One Day Charge Batteries
According to another study from Tel Aviv University, water vapor from the atmosphere may one day be harnessed to charge batteries.
Water is able to naturally generate electricity. For example, during thunderstorms, lightning forms along the various stages of cloud formations—beginning with water vapor and then transitioning to droplets and ice.
In the 1800s, physicist Michael Faraday revealed that metal surfaces can be charged with water droplets. This occurs when there is friction between them.
Knowing that water vapor can create electrical charges during molecular collisions and generate static electricity through friction, the researchers performed an experiment. They sought to identify the voltage between two separate metals when exposed to humidity. They exposed one of the metals to high relative humidity, while keeping the other metal grounded. When the air was dry, there was no charge. When they elevated the humidity to over 60%, however, it did generate a voltage. This voltage then dissipated when they lowered the humidity.
The findings contradict traditional thinking about humidity as it pertains to electricity. While water is considered an effective conductor of electricity, it has not traditionally been seen as a way to produce charges on surfaces. “However, it seems that things are different once the relative humidity exceeds a certain threshold,” Professor Colin Price told Science Daily.
According to the findings, it may be possible for humid air to charge metal surfaces to roughly a single volt.
“If a AA battery is 1.5V, there may be a practical application in the future: to develop batteries that can be charged from water vapor in the air,” Price said. “The results may be particularly important as a renewable source of energy in developing countries. In these areas, many communities still do not have access to electricity, but the humidity is constantly about 60%.”
In other words, given the abundance of humidity in warmer climates, the technology could potentially serve as an endless source of renewable energy in poorer regions that need it the most.
Connecting Distributed Energy Resources
Leveraging distributed energy resources (DERs) and microgrids can help countries reach their renewable energy goals.
Introduction to IEEE Std 1547-2018: Connecting Distributed Energy Resources is a course program that focuses on IEEE Standard 1547-2018. This standard provides technical specifications for interconnection and interoperability between utility electric power systems (EPSs) and distributed energy resources. It also provides requirements relevant to the performance, operation, testing, safety considerations, and maintenance of the interconnection.
Contact an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn more about getting access to these courses for your organization.
Do you want to learn more about Standard 1547 for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.
Resources
American Friends of Tel Aviv University. (9 June 2020). Water vapor in the atmosphere may be prime renewable energy source. Science Daily.
Kabir, Omer. (8 June 2020). The sun’s rays can electrify plants into producing renewable energy, study finds. CTECH.
Smart grid technology is enabling the effective management and distribution of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydrogen. The smart grid connects a variety of distributed energy resource assets to the power grid. By leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) to collect data on the smart grid, utilities are able to quickly detect and resolve service issues through continuous self-assessments. Because utilities no longer have to depend on customers to report outages, this self-healing capability is vital component of the smart grid.
Smart Grid Management of Renewable Energy
The relationship between the smart grid and renewable energy revolves around gathering data. For example, wind farms use mechanical gears that require each link to support multiple sensors. Each sensor is able to note current climate and environmental conditions. This information is then quickly sent though the grid to alert the utility of any issues, which improves both the quality of service and safety.
“You’ve got this story of this invisible, dangerous commodity that travels at the speed of light that we call electricity and for the last hundred-plus years most people could interact with it in only the most rudimentary ways,” says Mark Feasel, vice president of smart grid for Schneider Electric. Companies are now deploying much more advanced sensing devices. According to Feasel, some devices can continually capture information on electricity up to 60,000 times per second.
Semiconductor materials, such as silicon, are supporting the creation of green energy with smart grid technology. Due to their ability to hold millions of minuscule transistors, these materials have enabled IoT advancement. In turn, this advancement has allowed the smart grid to link up devices throughout the system, which ensures that the supply of energy is equal to the demand. It also keeps the current evenly distributed.
Smart grids equipped with parts made from semiconductor material reduce the usage of electricity. For example, electric vehicles can charge at night— a time when offices and homes are not typically using much electricity. Lights switches and furnaces can also automatically power on and off. In this way, energy usage becomes “smart” by not using more than what is needed.
Renewable Energy with Smart Grid Technology Initiatives
As smart grid technology becomes more promising, both local and federal governments are exploring potential grid improvements.
Thailand
By 2037, Thailand wants a third of its energy to be generated by renewable energy sources. This means that Thailand’s grid will need to be modernized to handle the varying levels of energy provided by renewable sources. Any modernization plans will also need to take the country’s growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs), which is predicted to grow in coming years.
“When we have more renewable energy, the grid will become more difficult to manage, and then we will need to give them more flexibility with the digital to make it smarter,” says Dr. Surat Tanterdtid, Chief of Enterprise Architecture of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. Smart grid technology can help monitor and predict the supply of renewable energy into Thailand’s grid. This may allow the country to anticipate power outages and prepare accordingly.
New York
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is currently holding a competition in order to improve the state’s energy distribution. The Future Grid Challenge, which began in July, is part of a push to transition the state’s electric grid to renewable energy. A new statewide act includes requirements for a clean or carbon-free electricity sector by 2040 as well as an 85% greenhouse gas emissions drop by 2050.
The first round of funding will provide up to $6 million USD to projects that partner with Con Edison and Orange & Rockland Utilities. The goal of the competition is to improve data analytics, grid stability, and forecasting while reducing system losses.
Modernizing the Smart Grid
One of the biggest frontiers in electrical engineering today is the development and implementation of smart grid technology. Fueled by the global demand for greener technologies and alternative fuels, environmentally-friendly smart grid technology has the ability to stimulate stagnant economies as well as change the way power is delivered to electricity consumers around the world.
Modernizing the Smart Grid is a four-course program designed to get you and your team up to speed quickly on the latest smart grid technologies. Learn more about how your organization can benefit from this IEEE course program today!
Resources
Pilkington, Ben. (4 September 2019). The Role of Semiconductors in Clean Energy. AZO Clean Tech.
Castagna, Rich. (29 August 2019). How Smart Grid Technology Is Driving Renewable Energy. IoT World Today.
Clemens, Ashley. (12 September 2019). New York power grid challenge is part of larger state energy goals. Daily Orange.
Basu, Medha. (19 August 2019). Thailand will use smart grid to predict outages. GovInsider.
Basu, Medha. (16 September 2019). How Thailand will integrate renewables and EVs into the grid. GovInsider.
The global water crisis is causing problems worldwide. The United Nations estimates that 2.1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water in their homes. This is relevant because those with access to clean water have a higher chance of leaving poverty, resisting disease, and seeking an education. The water crisis has severe implications that can limit health and economic prosperity.
Furthermore, scientists predict that droughts will become more frequent and severe in the upcoming century in the face of climate change. Increased droughts could spark violent conflicts in water-stressed regions. Fortunately, researchers are working toward solutions that will provide clean drinking water to even the most remote corners of the globe.
Potable Water from Salt Water
Desalination technologies are quickly becoming a necessity in at-risk areas. The most widely used desalination processes use reverse osmosis. Although reverse osmosis is energy efficient, it doesn’t work strongly on water with very high saline contents. Other desalination processes use external heat sources. However, these are not always readily available.
To make desalination viable for widespread use, the technology must become more energy-efficient and less costly. At the same time, it must not require chemicals that could detrimentally affect the environment or human health.
Researchers from a multi-institutional engineering research center based at Rice University called NEWT, Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment, have a solution. They are developing a system that can be utilized in remote and domestic environments. Known as nanophotonics-enabled solar membrane distillation (NESMD), this system works with solar energy and nanoparticles to make saltwater drinkable.
“The integration of photothermal heating capabilities within a water purification membrane for direct, solar-driven desalination opens new opportunities in water purification,” says Menachem Elimelech, NEWT’s lead researcher for membrane processes.
The NESMD system uses a heat source is the membrane itself. Nanoparticles embedded on one side use sunlight to heat the water and operate the desalination process.
“Instead of heating the water before it comes into the module, you heat it on the membrane surface itself. One of the big advantages is that it can be used anywhere because it’s dependent on sunlight,” explains Akshay Deshmukh, a Ph.D. student in Elimelech’s lab at Yale.
This technology is still in its early stages. Potential uses include treating water from fracking and gas extraction operations as well as household water in less developed areas.
Starch and Solar
NEWT is not the only research center exploring water-related applications of solar power. In China, researchers at Dalian University of Technology are looking at another form of solar technology to produce drinking water. The research team is implementing the use of carbon nanosheets made from starch. This material is abundant, inexpensive, renewable, and doesn’t require hazardous materials.
These carbon nanosheets connect the desalination process to solar energy. The nanosheets are fashioned into electrodes for a capacitive deionization (CDI) system, which combines the desalination process with energy storage for maximum energy efficiency. While CDI is not a new field, this research has resulted in improved energy efficiency, cost savings, and safety.
The CDI desalination process occurs in two phases. The first phase consumes energy while the second phase generates energy. Because the energy can be stored and can actually be used to partially power the first phase, it results in huge efficiency gains. Pairing CDI systems with solar panels could facilitate their implementation in areas without electric grids while reducing fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
The system must be refined before being brought to market. However, it’s a promising step toward bringing clean water to vulnerable communities worldwide. Furthermore, the researchers’ holistic approach illustrates the importance of considering energy efficiency, convenience, and safety when designing new technologies.
Drinking Water from Air
Startup Zero Mass Water makes solar panels that use the air to make drinkable water. The panel arrays, known as Source, collect water vapor from sunlight. It is then sterilized, converted into a liquid, and saved in a reservoir.
Source is available in eighteen different countries, from an orphanage in Lebanon to estates in California. Each solar panel is about $2,500 including installation. The panel delivers about two-five liters of water daily, equivalent to ten water bottles.
Zero Mass Water delivers its product to at-risk communities through its relationship with developers, local governments, and nonprofits.
Cody Friesen, a material scientist and CEO at Zero Mass Water, is a former engineering and materials science teacher at Arizona State University. He feels the company is a solution for the world’s water crisis, including poverty-stricken regions such as Morocco, Egypt, and India.
According to Friesen, “Today it takes far less energy (effectively none, since it’s entirely solar-powered) to create drinking water with Source than any other mechanism.”
What technologies do you think are most promising for combating the global water crisis?
What’s Next
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Resources
Alblaghti, Eva. (6 Feb 2018). Clean water and green energy: Making desalination practical. Yale Environment Review.
Bendix, Alex. (8 Jan 2019). These $2,000 solar panels pull clean drinking water out of the air, and they might be a solution to the global water crisis. Business Insider.
Goode, Lauren. (28 Nov 2017). How Zero Mass is using solar panels to pull drinkable water directly from the air. The Verge.
Weir, William. (23 Mar 2018). Using solar power to bring clean drinking water to remote areas. Yale News.