EXPERT OPINION
Power grids of the future
Mankind is contemplating the exploration of outer space in earnest. In the next century, it is
planned to populate the nearby planet of Mars. Despite the difficulties, people want to bring the
comfort of their own home to the new planet, and therefore a reliable energy supply.
Siemens also participates in the
planning of this journey. Mars will be a
perfect example of micro grid concept
implementation. The inhabitants of
the new planet will not be able to use
traditional energy sources, so they will
have to rely on renewable energy, which
can provide an uninterruptible power
supply. Like the future people of Mars,
the population of the Earth will one
day rely only on decentralized energy
systems.
Audris Barcevicius,
President and CEO,
Siemens Central Asia
Micro grids are the power
grids of the future
These are the two principal directions
that will transform the energetics of the
future: digitalization and moving from a
centralized to a decentralized electrical
power system. These trends, as well as
the needs of prosumers, promote the
development of micro grids.
Micro grids are a kind of revolution
in how we manage our resources. As
a matter of fact, the micro grid is a
reduced version of the centralized power
system that generates, distributes and
regulates the electric flux. It can work
absolutely on a self-sufficient basis
or as a part of a larger grid. Micro
grids are the perfect choice to provide
electricity to outlying regions without
access to centralized systems. The main
sources of energy in the micro grids
are photovoltaic and wind-powered
generating plants, as well as small
hydro-power plants and biomass power
plants.
28
world monitor
Traditional power grids provide us with
electricity. But when natural disasters or
security breaches threaten the stability
of the grid – the disabling of these grids
can be dangerous and expensive.
Micro grids can be a profitable
alternative to what we have now. Such
grids are designed to ensure that
the power supply is consistent, which
means that the grids are reliable and
flexible. Micro grids are not dependent
on the traditional grid, but rather
have the ability to ensure stability of
the power supply in the event of bad
weather or natural disasters. These
technologies allow us to store unused
electricity and include in the grid the
electricity produced by alternative
sources of energy. This fact not only
reduces carbon dioxide emission into
the atmosphere, but also saves money.
Using high-tech software, operators can
optimize power use, based on demand
and utility prices. Micro grids are not
large power systems, and therefore they
are easier to control. They are safer as
well, because electricity is generated
locally and not delivered from one
central source.
Today, scientific research laboratories
are engaged in the development of
micro grid technologies. For example,
in the Siemens laboratory in Erlangen,
Germany, engineers are engaged in
testing advanced technologies and
medium and low voltage equipment.
Siemens has already implemented
micro grid technology on the Indian