This paper discusses the disrupting technologies which are proving to be a game changer of smart grid revolution in the Power Transmission and Distribution Systems.

1. Disruptive Technologies influencing
Smart Grid revolution
Speaker: Jayant Sinha
Date: 8th April 2016
United Kingdom
jayant.sinha@enzen.com

2. Agenda
• What are disruptive technologies?
• Disruptive technologies in Smart Grids
• Changes sought by these technologies
• How these will affect us?
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3. Disruptive technology
• Creates a new market and value chain
• Disrupts existing market
• Displaces established market brands
• Coined by Clayton M. Christensen in
his book- ‘The innovator’s dilemma’
• Can be evolutionary, but more often
revolutionary

4. Moving towards a Smarter Grid
Intelligent: Sensing system overloads, reroute power to prevent outages, respond faster to fault conditions
Efficient: Meeting increased demand without adding infrastructure
Resilient: Accepting energy from both traditional and renewal energy sources
DSM: Customising energy consumption based on consumer preference, price and environment goal
PQM: Delivering power quality free of sags, spikes, disturbances and interruptions
Self-healing: Resisting cyber attacks & system faults as network becomes decentralized and fault tolerant
CDM: Supporting clean technologies offering significant environmental improvement
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5. Advanced Robotics
The Challenge
• Repairing HV and LV lines is among the top
10 most dangerous jobs in the world,
according to a report.
Solution
• Advanced robotics and aerial drones
Value proposition
• Enhance safety of crews & equipment
• Reduce line inspection & maintenance
costs
• Cyclone damage assessment and quick
restoration measures
• Enhance electric grid reliability
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According to Navigant Research, Robotics and Aerial
Drones market is expected to grow from $132 million
(in 2015) to about $4 billion in 2024

6. VERDE - Visualizing Energy Resources Dynamically on Earth
The Challenge
• Lack of wide-area situational awareness
of power networks leading to blackouts,
power disruption and failure to respond
quickly towards system restoration
Solution & Value proposition
• Real-time geo-visualization of electric
grid across multiple regions, using
remote sensing techniques (e.g. LiDAR*)
• Integration with meteorological data
• Mitigating risk of catastrophic failure
• Grid behaviour modelling & simulation
• Accelerating contingency analysis
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Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is developing a national
visualisation capability for the U.S. Dept. of Energy to enable real-time
visualisation and state analysis of electric grid. The aim is to assist in
the coordination and response during wide-area power outages and
catastrophic events, and protect the national critical infrastructure.
*LiDAR: Light Detection And Ranging

7. 3D Modelling of T&D Lines using LiDAR
The Challenge
• Aging and overloaded transmission &
distribution lines, approvals and planning to
construct new lines
Solution & Value proposition
• LiDAR imaging data acquisition & analysis
• Combined with 3D modelling allows
complete line verification and multifaceted
analysis
• Determine maximum thermal operating
limits of a transmission system, line sag,
ground clearance, contour and undergrowth
• Efficient planning with minimal social and
environmental impact
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Source: Earth Imaging Journal

8. Active Network Management (ANM)
Solution & Value Proposition
• Autonomous Controls to manage electricity
generation (supply) and load (demand)
• Monitoring instantaneous parameters (voltage,
current, active & reactive power, phase &
frequency) in real time
• Complements SCADA & Protection systems
• Safe, Reliable and Efficient Operation
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The Challenge
• Integrating multiple micro-grids (distributed &
renewable sources) into the main Distribution Grid
• Managing power, voltage and system constraints
resulting from above and grid stabilisation

9. Modes of Microgrid operation
• Interconnected mode
– Microgrid interconnected with the main
Transmission & Distribution system
• Transition mode
– Microgrid transitioning between
interconnected and islanded mode
• Islanded mode
– Microgrid operating on independent grid
Value proposition
• Distributed generation, Enhanced reliability
• Fuel & Energy security
• Use of renewable sources, Carbon reduction
• Plug n Play, Virtual Power Plants
Integrated Microgrid

10. Impulsive Transient
(~ lightning)
OscillatoryTransient
(~network switching)
Typically 5 and 500 kHz; 1.5 times amplitude,10 μs
Causes:
• Variable speed drives
• Thyristor-controlled drives
• Rectifiers, Inverters
• SMPS, CVT
• UPS
• LEDs
Harmonics
Phase Imbalance
Power Quality Challenges

11. Proactive Management
• Remote sensors
• Advanced telemetry
• Data Analytics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cyber security
– Digital Certificates
– Multi-factor
Authentication
– VPN
– Encryption

12. IT-OT Integration
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13. Smart Roadmap
• Integrated communications, interoperable
components, open architecture & real-time
information
• Sensor and telemetry to support faster and more
accurate response
• Remote monitoring, time-of-use pricing and
demand-side management
• Advanced components adopting the latest research
in superconductivity, nanotechnology, energy
storage & power electronics
• Advanced control methods to monitor grid
components, enabling rapid diagnosis & system
restoration
• Improved interfaces and decision support systems to
amplify decision-making

14. Glimpses of the future

15. Thank You!
Jayant Sinha
Principal Consultant (Energy & Utilties)
Jayant.sinha@enzen.com