Instant data
management enables
smart grids to maximise
power distribution
efficiency
Raima
delivers high-performance,
always on database
technology for both inmemory database usage
and persistent storage
devices
T
here are multiple pressures
on the power supply
network. More people
are using it, established
customers are consuming ever
more electricity, and the pressure to
reduce carbon emissions from power
generation is increasing. Part of the
solution to this dilemma will lie in
developing smart grids that provide
better husbanding of the available
power – metering it more precisely,
reducing transmission losses and
encouraging more sustainable practices
by consumers. A key characteristic of
a smart grid is the efficient and timely
use of operational data to constantly
match supply to demand.
In recent decades developing countries
have wanted to extend their electrical
distribution networks to new population
centres and industrial bases. In many
cases they have not been in a position
to increase their generating capacity
quickly enough, so have looked to
develop ‘smart grids’, which make best
use of the power available.
The developed nations are also looking
to smart grids, although it is to meet
growing demand from existing users.
(The alternative is to add generators
to the network, but capital outlay
and increased emissions are hard to
justify.)
Further, there is increasing concern
about global warming, and smart grids
make better use of available power.
Smart grids are also attractive in
relation to renewable power sources,
which are variable in output and
tend to lead to a complex network
architecture, based on many small-tomedium power sources, rather than a
few large power stations.
A smart grid uses data collection
and computer technologies to gather
information about consumption by
individual consumers, interpret it and
optimise operations to match the everchanging patterns of demand.
Electric utilities are transforming their
grids by improving and renewing
infrastructure, while simultaneously
adding the intelligent digital
technology, which includes automatic
meter reading.
For instance, smart meters use
continuous communications to provide
real-time monitoring, so that they
can determine how demand from
individual users varies over time – and
predict future needs. Often the data is
transmitted as broadband over power
lines (BPL), although other systems
use wireless technologies, such as
mesh networking.
The amount of data that needs to
be collected is enormous and it has
to be analysed instantly as well as
being stored for reference and reuse.
Quite simply, this could not be done
manually, so high-performance
database technologies need to be
married with automated metering and
other supporting technologies.
A state-of-the-art high-performance
database management system, such
as the Raima Database Manager
(RDM), can be configured to precisely
match the needs of any grid. Multiple
databases can be embedded into the
grid to provide local real-time control.
RDM is an ACID-(atomicity,
consistency, isolation and durability)
compliant database management
system (DBMS). Its multi-core
processors can be distributed about the
grid, yet work together to maximise
the use of available memory capacity.
Its speed of processing is almost
instantaneous, because it uses on-chip
data storage; however, it also instantly
transfers data to disk for secure longterm storage.
If smart grids are to achieve their
full potential, efficient data handling
is a prerequisite. Raima’s RDM data
management technology is proven in
many demanding fields, such as the
control of nuclear facilities, subsea
oil well management and worldwide
telecommunications networks, and is
fast proving its worth in smart grid
applications.
www.raima.com
Issue 15 PECM
11