Summary: Most of these technologies are already being used in other industries and simply need to be applied to the electrical grid. There are five main technology areas involved in the production of a smart grid, which are described below, as are some ways the Department of Energy's Control Systems Security (CSS) program are working to ensure privacy and security issues are addressed with a smart grid.
Smart Grid Technologies:
This list has also not been fully edited because I don't understand what all of this is. *Insert expert here*. I think this qualifies as our more technical background
- 2-way Integrated Communications technologies to improve grid communications and allow for real time control and information to meet the goals outlined above. Many of these technologies are already in use but not yet fully integrated. These include: substation automation, advanced meter reading (AMR), demand response, distribution automation, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), energy management systems, RF mesh networks, other wireless technologies, power-line carrier, and fiber-optics.
- Sensing and Measurement technologies are essential to evaluating equipment health, grid integrity, energy theft prevention, congestion relief, and control strategies support. Technologies include: advanced microprocessor meters (smart meter) and meter reading equipment, wide-area monitoring systems, dynamic line rating, electromagnetic signature measurement/analysis, time-of-use and real-time pricing tools, advanced switches and cables, backscatter radio technology, and digital relays.
- Advanced Components are responsible for the electrical behavior of the grid, applying the latest R&D in superconductivity, fault tolerance, storage, power electronics, and diagnostics. Technologies within these broad R&D categories include: flexible alternating current transmission system devices, high voltage direct current, first and second generation superconducting wire, high temperature superconducting cable, distributed energy generation and storage devices, composite conductors, and âintelligentâ appliances that can respond to changes in the grid to modify their behavior.
- Advanced Control technologies are devices and algorithms that enable rapid diagnosis of and precise solutions to specific grid disruptions or outages. These technologies rely on and contribute to each of the other four key areas. Three technology categories for advanced control methods are: distributed intelligent agents (control systems), analytical tools (software algorithms and high-speed computers), and operational applications (SCADA, substation automation, demand response, etc.).
- Improved Interfaces and Decision Support provide operators and managers with the tools and training required to operate a smart grid. They convert complex data into easily understood information for decision making. Technologies include visualization techniques that reduce large quantities of data into easily understood visual formats, software systems that provide multiple options when systems operator actions are required, and simulators for operational training and âwhat-ifâ analyses.
Security and Privacy:
These sorts of systems always have two related concerns associated with them, privacy and security. The Department of Energy's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability is working on improving the security of control systems for energy production and distribution by creating the Control Systems Security (CSS) program. CSS co-funds projects with industry to attempt to improve the security of our future production and distribution systems. The aim of the program is to reduce the risk of energy disruptions due to cyber attacks, which become a larger concern with an increasingly intelligent infrastructure, especially when renewable energies are being touted as a safer alternative to fossil fuel based energy sources with regards to national security. There are four main project areas, CSS is working on:
- Next Generation Control Systems, which involves improving the security of the actual controllers that will be used in the smart grid.
- System Vulnerability Assessments, which are tests that attempt to exploit system vulnerabilities that need to be improved.
- Integrated Risk Analysis, which is used to allow users to identify their security positions and allow for potential risks.
- Partnership and Outreach, which is attempting to ease the adoption of security systems and the easy passage of information between all of those involved in the energy production and distribution process, as well as the government and research institutions.