Smart Grid
Smart Gird is the gateway to reliable and efficient electric grids which supports the development of the smart
generation, smart metering and smart control. To this end, the bidirectional communication between the utility and
customers based on high digital technology helps the smart grid idea. Smart grid consists of controls, computers,
automation, meterings and new equipments to facilitate the accurate and responsive reaction of the network in both
normal and emergency situations. In the smart grid, any change in the electric demand is responded by the smart
generation units. Smart grid technology equips the current electric grids with new equipments that result in higher
reliability, availability and efficiency. Moreover, smart grid idea will reduce the operation and planning costs in the long
term and thus will contribute to our economic and environmental health. The benefits achieved by developing smarty
grids are:
• More efficient power delivery to the consumers
• Higher electrical services and power quality
• Fast restoration of network in faulty conditions such as hurricanes
• Less operation and management costs for electric utilities,
• Less costs for the customers
• Peak load shaving and correcting the demand pattern
• Supporting the high integration of large-scale renewable energy sources
• Supporting the high integration of electric vehicles
• Better integration of customer-owner power generation, including distributed generation
• Higher security
One significant aspect of smart grids is the fast and smart response of the system for restoration of faulty parts in the
emergency situations. This is a significant feature especially with the high threads in the winter or during the peak load
hours. In addition, smart grid is a way to address an aging energy infrastructure that needs to be upgraded or replaced.