Summary:
Managing the future grid will require creative, innovative solutions. This is because of uncertainties being introduced by the growth of less predictable & reliable renewable generation resources, demand response programs, distributed generation, microgrids, potential cyber-security issues and the ageing infrastructure. Energy Management Systems (EMS) have been deployed for decades at utility control centres to manage the electricity grid in real-time. Today these EMS capabilities are poised to be enhanced quite dramatically with the growth of synchrophasor PMU measurements. Solutions to decentralize management of the grid are also being introduced – these include Distribution Management Systems, Substation Automation and advances in grid control devices. These new solutions will help us manage the uncertainties and challenges of the future smart grid.