Power grids are facing their biggest challenges ever. Concern for the environment and advances in technology are leading to the creation of “smart” grids that are more efficient, flexible and reliable. A new Web portal provides an overview of ABB’s established technologies and the R&D projects that are helping to build the grid of the future today
By
ABB Communications
Times are changing. Traditional power systems, based on large generation units and long transmission lines feeding into distribution networks, are giving way to something quite different as society demands cleaner, reliable power supplies and more choice.
The need to reduce global greenhouse-gas emissions by reducing our consumption of fossil fuels means there will be more distributed generation (small scale, local power generation), more power generated from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, and a two-way grid that can receive as well as deliver reliable power.
There are many challenges. We must maintain reliability and improve efficiency, despite the erratic nature of renewable generation and the long-term trend of rising power demand. We must develop effective ways to store power and the infrastructure to accommodate electric vehicles that will even-out the peaks and troughs of renewable generation and reduce pollution in our towns and cities. We must carefully balance supply and demand to keep power flowing as smoothly as possible.
Although some smart grid technologies we will need for the smart grid have yet to be developed, many have been the subject of research and development at ABB for some years. We have tried-and-tested products and systems already in use.
ABB’s Smart Grid portal provides a central source of information on the Group’s contribution to the smart grid, updated regularly with technology news and feature articles from around the company.
