Analysing the efficient use of energy in a small smart grid system

Abstract

Smart grid systems, for being profitably implemented, will have to deliver advantageous results to costumers, investors and operators. This can be realised by providing efficient, secure and reliable systems, connecting distributed renewable energy sources and enabling advanced services. The analysis of those potential benefits should consider all the components of the smart grids from the energy sources to the consumers, including the communication and power flows within the system. This study aims to analyse how to reach an efficient energy use with different means (e.g. better management of the energy consumption rate, consumption forecast, and central energy orientation providing the capabilities of smart homes, communication links and electricity grid management centres. To this end, architecture of a small smart grid system including a novel smart home, communication and energy lines, and a small home energy management centre is studied in this paper. Such architecture is envisaged to have a substantial impact on the operation and management of future electricity network addressing issues such as efficient integration of renewable power sources and emerging consumer behaviour.