The traditional power grid is based on centralized generation plants that supply end-users via long-established, unidirectional transmission and distribution systems. But times are changing.
Today’s conflicting demands for more reliable, higher-volume power supplies from cleaner and more renewable energy sources cannot be met with today’s infrastructure. We need a more intelligent system that can receive power of all qualities from all sources – both centralized and distributed – and deliver reliable supplies, on demand, to consumers of all kinds. We need a smart grid.
ABB’s vision for the smart grid is of a self-monitoring system, based on industry-wide standards, crossing international borders and participating in wholesale energy trading, providing a stable, secure, efficient and environmentally sustainable network. The system will cross national and international border and provide a wholesale energy trading capability. It must be able to detect and react automatically to disturbances and changes in supply and demand, re-establishing balance and maintaining the stability demanded by both end-users and government legislation. It must also accommodate customer response management systems that allow utilities to optimize the performance of the grid.
While true smart grids are still a vision of the future, the technologies and standards that will be needed have been under development at ABB for some years now and many are already in use. With our broad portfolio of power technologies and control systems, ABB is taking the lead in providing a truly integrated solution for the development of the smart grid.