bringing intelligence to the grid
TRANSCRIPT
Renewableenergies
Powerplant
Transmissionsubstation
Energystorage
Gridmanagement
Distribution
Industry
Energystorage
Generator
City andcommercial buildings
Uninterruptiblepower supply
Powerintegration
Smartmeters
Smartappliances
Smarttransport
Smarthouses
Bringing intelligence to the grid
2
What is a smart grid
There is no well-defined and commonly
accepted scope of what “smart” is and what
it is not. It is generally understood that the
smart grid encompasses the modernization
of the electric grid. This comprises everything
related to the electric system between
any point of generation and any point of
consumption. Smart grid technologies
allow the grid to become more flexible,
interactive and enable it to provide real-time
feedback. It incorporates technologies and
services that facilitate intelligent monitoring,
control, communication and self-healing
technologies.
3
Why smart grids
Large parts of the existing energy
infrastructure date back to the 1960s or
even earlier and are reaching the end of
their useful life. Equipment is under extreme
stress during peak demand. Electricity
demand is steadily increasing; intermittent
energy sources such as wind and solar
will put additional strains on existing grids.
The increasing drive to integrate renewable
energies, and distributed energy generation
are posing unprecedented challenges for the
conventional electricity grid.
Intelligent systems, including monitoring,
control, communication and self-healing
technologies help cope with these
multifaceted network demands. They:
facilitate the connection and operation
of generators of all sizes and
technologies
allow users to play a part in optimizing
the efficiency of the system
provide consumers with more
information and choice
reduce the environmental impact of the
electricity supply system
increase reliability and security of
electricity supply
Electric energy is the ultimate just-in-time
product. It needs to be used the moment
it is generated and must be supplied
continuously to avoid power fluctuations
or outages. A smart grid helps intelligently
integrate all these different needs and
activities in order to efficiently deliver a
sustainable, affordable and secure electricity
supply.
Most smart grid project managers are now
charged with updating legacy systems. And
the big question is how.
4
Technical challenges
The electrical network is composed of a high
number of very distributed “intelligent” nodes
that are tightly coupled and operating in real
time. Since all the parts of this network have
organically grown over many years, even
decades, figuring out where intelligence
needs to be added is very complex. Often
different stakeholders are responsible for
individual parts of the system.
System engineering is a mature industrial
discipline, but in smart grids the level of
complexity is unprecedented. The electrical
system is in continuous operation, at the
same time, it is evolving constantly while
maintaining a large number of legacy
systems. Information technology equipment
has a lower life span than traditional
network assets, typically three to five years
for electronics and telecommunications,
compared to 40 plus years for generators,
cables or transformers. The implementation
of a smart grid is a never ending evolutionary
process of successive projects over several
decades.
The smart grid represents a technical
challenge that goes way beyond the simple
addition of an information technology
infrastructure on top of an electrotechnical
infrastructure. Each device that is connected
to a smart grid is, at the same time, an
electrotechnical device and an intelligent
node. Today’s “connection” Standards need
to address both aspects concurrently.
Another major challenge is to integrate
interchangeable parts from a variety of
different providers worldwide. There is a
huge need for interoperability Standards
that will allow utilities to buy pieces of
equipment from any vendor knowing that
they will work with each other and with
existing equipment at every level. We are not
simply talking about interfaces – one plug
fitting with another – we need interoperation
at all levels in a given system. Devices and
systems not only need to speak the same
language, they also have to understand each
other’s “thought” processes.
Instead of imposing detailed technical
specifications at a global level we have to
focus on key interfaces. This is how efficient
Standards for interoperability will create a
huge area of freedom and innovation for the
benefit of manufacturers and the utilities.
5
Not every standard is made equal
Every standards organization builds and
maintains their standards from different
vantage points, based on different interests
and criteria. They use distinct maintenance
and review processes based on varying
protocols and timelines. Insidiously many
standards may look like they match but
because they deal with concepts at different
levels and from different viewpoints they
most of the time don’t really. Even assuming
that one carefully picks and chooses
elements from different standards that seem
to fit together today, chances are that 10
or 20 years down the road that fit will have
eroded.
For the long term—
Investment into a smart grid is huge
and will need to last for many years to
come. That’s why it is important to use
standards that have been created under
the same conditions and are monitored
and updated through the same continuous
processes. This is of crucial importance.
IEC International Standards are truly global
and consensus-based. IEC members are
countries, not individual industries or interest
groups. Influence is not for sale.
© th
ingl
ink.
com
6
Interoperable beyond borders
Updating the energy grid is going to be a
huge task in itself, and there is always the
temptation to do this in isolation within
regional or national borders. However, in the
future many national and regional grids, even
if they are seemingly geographically isolated,
will need to be able to communicate with
others across borders and even continents.
By using consensus-built IEC International
Standards, interoperability is built-in on a
global scale. Another advantage of using IEC
International Standards is that they are used
by many companies around the world, which
increases choice and helps reduce cost.
7
How to ensure interoperability for the smart grid
Make certain that all the different
elements of the system speak the
same language, avoiding the need for
translators to achieve optimal speed for
information exchange.
On a systems management
level: identify what information is
fundamental, which systems need to
communicate and how this information
needs to be routed.
On the physical level: decide how
information needs to be transported
(wires, cables, internet, Wi-Fi).
Keep in mind that ICT is only a small part of
the grid, which is holistically more complex.
8
Core IEC Standards
The IEC offers the large majority of technical
smart grid Standards. The IEC Systems
Committee on smart energy works closely
with all relevant experts to fill any gaps
in the IEC portfolio. The committee has
also published a smart energy roadmap
IEC TR 63097.
Smart energy comprises the smart electric
grid and its electrical interactions with other
energies such as gas, heat, etc. Smart
energy also covers all the energy aspects of
smart cities.
Over 230 IEC Standards have been identified
as relevant to the smart grid. The complete
list of IEC Standards (by importance and
relevant application) is available on the IEC
webstore or for download in the smart grid
zone www.iec.ch/smartgrid
Smart grid Standards map—
The IEC has developed an online system
capable of positioning standards in relation
to their role within the smart grid. The
tool is completely free of charge: www.
smartgridstandardsmap.com
Below is a list of the core Standards:
IEC 61508: Functional safety of
electrical/electronic/programmable
electronic safety-related systems
IEC 61850: Power utility
automation
IEC 61968: Common information
model (CIM)/distribution
management
IEC 61970: Common information
model (CIM)/energy management
IEC 62056: Data exchange for
meter reading, tariff and load
control
IEC 62351: Security
IEC TR 62357: Reference
architecture
9
Testing and certification within smart grids
IECEE and power grids—
Today, it makes even more sense to use IEC
International Standards to build and expand
power grids and upgrade existing ones,
to ensure compatibility and connectivity
of networks within a country and across
borders.
Additionally, the electrical networks,
installations, systems and equipment that
comprise power grids must also be reliable
and of the highest quality, so that they
perform well and are safe.
IECEE is the IEC System of Conformity
Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical
Equipment and Components. Through its
CB scheme, IECEE provides the assurance
that tested and certified electrical
equipment – and its components – meet
the strictest levels of safety, functionality
and performance in compliance with the
relevant IEC International Standards. It
covers 23 categories, including cables
and cords, safety transformers and similar
equipment, installation protective equipment
and installation accessories and connection
devices.
IECEE and smart manufacturing—
Increasingly, manufacturing is becoming
smart around the world. In order to facilitate
access to global markets, manufacturers
must demonstrate that their industrial
automation equipment complies with
regulations and technical specifications
across various functional areas.
IECEE offers testing and certification
services for industrial automation, which
cover electrical safety, cyber security, energy
efficiency, electromagnetic compatibility
(EMC) and functional safety.
© a
rste
chni
ca.c
om
10
About the IEC
A global network of 170 countries
that covers 99% of world population and
electricity generation
Offers an Affiliate Country Programme
to encourage developing countries to
participate in IEC work free of charge
Develops International Standards and runs
four Conformity Assessment Systems to
verify that electronic and electrical products
work safely and as they are intended to
IEC International Standards represent a
global consensus of state-of-the-art
know-how and expertise
A not-for-profit organization enabling global
trade and universal electricity access
The IEC, headquartered in Geneva,
Switzerland, is the world’s leading publisher
of International Standards for electrical
and electronic technologies. It is a global,
independent, not-for-profit, membership
organization (funded by membership fees
and sales). The IEC includes 171 countries
that represent 99% of world population and
energy generation.
The IEC provides a worldwide, neutral and
independent platform where 20 000 experts
from the private and public sectors cooperate
to develop state-of-the-art, globally relevant
IEC International Standards. These form
the basis for testing and certification, and
support economic development, protecting
people and the environment.
IEC work impacts around 20% of global
trade (in value) and looks at aspects such
as safety, interoperability, performance
and other essential requirements for a vast
range of technology areas, including energy,
manufacturing, transportation, healthcare,
homes, buildings or cities.
The IEC administers four Conformity
Assessment Systems and provides a
standardized approach to the testing and
certification of components, products,
systems, as well as the competence of
persons.
IEC work is essential for safety, quality and
risk management. It helps make cities
smarter, supports universal energy access
and improves energy efficiency of devices
and systems. It allows industry to consistently
build better products, helps governments
ensure long-term viability of infrastructure
investments and reassures investors and
insurers.
Key figures
171 Members and affiliates
>200
Technical committees and subcommittees
20 000
Experts from industry, test and research
labs, government, academia and
consumer groups
>10 000
International Standards
in catalogue
4
Global Conformity Assessment Systems
>1 million
Conformity Assessment certificates
issued
>100 Years of expertise
11
IEC Conformity Assessment Systems—
IECEE / IECRE
c/o IEC − International Electrotechnical
Commission
3 rue de Varembé
PO Box 131
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
T +41 22 919 0211
Fax +41 22 919 0300
www.iecee.org
www.iecre.org
IECEx / IECQ
The Executive Centre
Australia Square, Level 33
264 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
T +61 2 4628 4690
Fax +61 2 4627 5285
www.iecex.com
www.iecq.org
Asia Pacific
IEC-APRC − Asia-Pacific
Regional Centre
2 Bukit Merah Central #15-02
Singapore 159835
T +65 6377 5173
Fax +65 6278 7573
Latin America
IEC-LARC − Latin America
Regional Centre
Av. Paulista, 2300 – Pilotis Floor – Cerq.
César
São Paulo - SP - CEP 01310-300
Brazil
T +55 11 2847 4672
North America
IEC-ReCNA − Regional Centre
for North America
446 Main Street, 16th Floor
Worcester, MA 01608
USA
T +1 508 755 5663
Fax +1 508 755 5669
Please visit the IEC website at www.iec.ch
for further information. In the “About the
IEC” section, you can contact your local IEC
National Committee directly. Alternatively,
please contact the IEC Central Office
in Geneva, Switzerland or the nearest
IEC Regional Centre.
Global—
IEC − International Electrotechnical
Commission
Central Office
3 rue de Varembé
PO Box 131
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
T +41 22 919 0211
Fax +41 22 919 0300
www.iec.ch
IEC Regional Offices—
Africa
IEC-AFRC − Africa Regional Centre
7th Floor, Block One, Eden Square
Chiromo Road, Westlands
PO Box 856
00606 Nairobi
Kenya
T +254 20 367 3000 / +254 20 375 2244
M +254 73 389 7000 / +254 70 493 7806
Fax +254 20 374 0913
Further information
InternationalElectrotechnicalCommission
® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission. Copyright © IEC, Geneva, Switzerland. 2018.
Smar
t grid
:201
8-08
(en)
T +41 22 919 [email protected]
3 rue de VarembéPO Box 131CH-1211 Geneva 20Switzerland
Renewableenergies
Powerplant
Transmissionsubstation
Energystorage
Gridmanagement
Distribution
Industry
Energystorage
Generator
City andcommercial buildings
Uninterruptiblepower supply
Powerintegration
Smartmeters
Smartappliances
Smarttransport
Smarthouses