Practical Guidance for Defining a Smart Grid Modernization Strategy

Practical Guidance for Defining a Smart Grid Modernization Strategy: The Case of Distribution guides stakeholders on how utilities can define their own smart grid vision, identify priorities, and structure investment plans. While most of these strategic aspects apply to any area of the electricity grid, the book focuses on distribution. The guidance includes key building blocks for modernizing the distribution grid and provides examples of grid modernization projects. The concept of the smart grid is relevant to all grids. What varies are the magnitude and type of the incremental steps toward modernization for achieving a specific smart grid vision. A utility that is at a relatively low level of grid modernization may leapfrog one or more levels of modernization to achieve some of the benefits of the highest levels of grid modernization. Smart grids impact electric distribution systems significantly. In developing countries, modernizing the distribution grid promises to benefit the operation of electric distribution utilities in many and various ways. These benefits include improved operational efficiency (such as reduced losses and lower energy consumption), reduced peak demand, improved service reliability, and ability to accommodate distributed generating resources without adversely impacting overall power quality. Practical Guidance for Defining a Smart Grid Modernization Strategy concludes by describing funding and regulatory issues that may need to be taken into account when developing smart grid plans.