World Monitor Magazine WM_Energy 2017 | Page 31

EXPERT OPINION Reservation grounds in California in the United States and on the campus of Algonquin College in Eastern Ontario, Canada. Smart Cities The implementation of micro grids is, basically, a step towards the creation of ‘smart cities’. A city in which all the infrastructure, road and municipal services, surveillance and warning systems are transformed into a single system, needs micro grids. All parts of the urban system interact with each other and make the most efficient use of resources to fulfill their tasks. All this became possible by virtue of the development of digital technologies. ‘Smart City’ uses several micro grids connected to the distribution system. This fully integrated system includes alternative energy sources and stores a surplus of electricity generated. At the international exhibition ‘EXPO-2017’ Siemens introduced the micro grid technology. Through the example of the city of the future, visitors themselves could build an energy grid system, that would allow the city to function successfully. Anyone who feels like he or she wants to get acquainted with these technologies has the best opinion of our specialists. Smart grids At the current date, there is an active implementation of the ‘smart grids’, which is an important step in the way of decentralization of energy. ‘Smart grids’ combine modern energy capabilities with digital innovations to successfully manage the entire power grid. Careful calculations reduce power losses and ensure the continuity of power supply. A distinctive feature of 'smart grids', is self-diagnostics and self-recovery, which enables the system to detect emergency areas of the grid and automatically reorganize. Consumers benefit greatly from the implementation of ‘smart grid’ technologies. Emergency situations occur less frequently, and the work of the damaged area can be restored more quickly. For example, earlier, in the case of a short circuit, the dispatcher had to wait for a call from the consumers, search for the necessary problem and analyze the information by himself. Today things are going much more quickly: there is an exchange of information between the devices, after which the dispatcher sees the fault location on the electronic diagram in the control center. The program provides solutions to the problem. The main goal of the ‘smart grids’ technology is to make the generation, transmission and distribution of electric power more energy efficient and safe. Smart Grids Implementation Project In Astana, at the power supply for the EXPO-2017 exhibition complex implemented the smart grid technologies from Siemens. The latest technologies provide an uninterrupted power supply to the exhibition pavilions and also reduce energy costs by reducing losses. It is worth noting that Astana became the first city in Kazakhstan to launch a pilot project for the implementation of smart grids. Within the framework of the project, a new dispatch center (DC) for managing electricity grids was created. The modern power facility consolidates the operation of the grids and performs full monitoring of the equipment load. At present, the center is one of the most innovative and technologically advanced in Kazakhstan. It has increased the monitoring of the power distribution network to 100% and reduced the risk of personnel mistakes in operation. Siemens solutions integrate all the key elements of the energy supply of the exhibition complex into a single intelligent network. For the first time digital protection relay devices of the fifth generation were used, capable not only to automatically disconnect the damaged sections, but also transmit information about the accident to the dispatcher's console online. In addition, quality control and accounting devices have been introduced that can process data on energy consumption in the exhibition facilities as well as check the quality of electricity coming from Astana power grids. In conclusion, it should be noted that future power grids will be more effective and safe. The trend in energy decentralization will cause the creation of micro grids that will work using digital technologies, linking all systems together. Electricity received from alternative energy sources will also be actively used. New technologies will give an impetus to the growth of ‘smart cities’, capable of providing residents with comfortable living conditions and reliable energy supply, able to withstand natural disasters. supported by EUROBAK 29