IoT that makes the power system digital, networked, and able to act on its own data
The smart grid solution uses IoT, big data, and cloud computing. Smart sensors, smart meters, and distribution terminals let the operator see how the grid is running, analyze it, and control it. Generation, transmission, substations, distribution, and use are all in scope: distribution automation, electricity-use data, new-energy connection, and equipment condition. Supply is more reliable, more new energy can be taken onto the grid, the customer experience is better, and line loss and operating cost fall. The power system moves toward cleaner, more efficient, safer, and more reliable operation.
The pressures in running a modern grid
Customers expect fewer outages, and a fault has to be found and restored quickly
Distributed solar, wind, and other new energy in large amounts make stable operation harder
Equipment is scattered and there is a lot of it. Walking inspections are slow and expensive
Distribution line loss is high, and there is no solid way to see it or control it
Four places where the grid becomes easier to run
Find and isolate a fault quickly, and restore supply to the rest of the feeder
Distribution automation puts intelligent terminals (DTU, FTU, and TTU), pole-mounted switches, and ring main units on the feeders. Voltage, current, and power are watched as they change. On a short circuit, a ground fault, or another fault, the system finds the section, isolates it, and restores the healthy sections by transferring load. Outage time on a fault falls from hours to minutes, so supply is more reliable. Remote control, load balancing, and voltage and reactive-power optimization are included.
A fault is detected and placed within seconds, at over 99% accuracy, so the time to deal with it falls
The faulted section is isolated, healthy sections are restored by transferring load, and outage time falls by 80%
The distribution topology is identified on its own, so a complex network can be analyzed and controlled
Remote reads from smart meters, and analysis of how power is used
Smart meters, collectors, and concentrators gather, send, and analyze electricity-use data. Remote reading, tiered tariffs, peak-valley time-of-use billing, and prepayment are included. The same data flags unusual use and theft, and it improves load forecasts and demand response. A mobile app shows usage, takes payment, and accepts a repair request. Planning, load management, and line-loss analysis use the same figures.
Usage is collected at 15-minute intervals, with a success rate over 99.5%, including daily and monthly frozen readings
Theft and abnormal use are identified, lost revenue is recovered, and loss reduction plus extra revenue runs to several million yuan a year
The app shows usage and the balance, takes payment, and accepts a repair request, so customers are more satisfied
Monitoring of distributed new energy, so more clean energy can be used on the grid
Distributed solar, wind, and storage are monitored for output, grid connection, power forecasts, and dispatch. Power, voltage, and frequency are read as they change, and the effect on the distribution network is assessed. A forecast of output is used to set the dispatch plan ahead of time. Active and reactive power are controlled together, which addresses voltage swings and harmonics that come with new energy. Subsidy settlement, generation statistics, and revenue analysis are included.
New-energy output is watched as it runs. An abnormal condition is warned in time, and a fault is answered quickly
Output is forecast from weather and history, at over 85% accuracy
Active and reactive power are coordinated so voltage swings ease and power quality improves
Online monitoring of key equipment, and maintenance before it fails
Temperature, vibration, partial discharge, and dissolved-gas analysis sit on transformers, switches, and cables. The readings show an abnormal condition, score equipment health, and forecast a failure. Maintenance follows condition instead of waiting for a breakdown, so unplanned outages fall, life is longer, and operating cost is lower. The record runs from purchase and installation through operation and maintenance to retirement.
Temperature, vibration, partial discharge, and oil chromatography together show how the equipment is
Big-data analysis warns 1–3 months ahead, so a sudden failure is less likely
The plan follows the actual condition. Maintenance cost falls by 30%, and equipment life rises by 20%
Results reported after a smart grid system is in place
How a smart grid is built, and where it is used
The team will plan and deliver a smart grid design around the network you operate