Morgan and Nasdaq consider its implementation. The potential of distributed databases to eliminate cyber attacks proved to be so efficient that even international financial institutions e.g. There have already been cases detected when a group of hackers infiltrated systems of energy companies and exposed thousands of households to a controlled blackout. Therefore, the transmission losses are lower and less burdened power lines last longer.ĭigitalization of the energy sector has its side effects as well. As mentioned above, local energy production and consumption lowers the amount of electricity distributed through the power grid.
While the operating lifetime of power lines is not eternal and the renovation or building of new power lines is costly, there is a constant need to increase its capacity. Or in other words, devices can dispose of unused energy to benefit other equipment that is in need of it. Through the analysis of collected "Big data" in real-time, it is possible to speed up the reaction time to the changes in the power grid and thus ensure high quality and stable energy supply. Online connection of various sources such as solar panels, batteries, EV chargers or other equipment. Such an instant change in power demand is a huge problem for the grid.
Electric grids full#
To compare, one full charge using a supercharger equals the launch of 70 air-conditioning units at once. However, EV charging can take a significant amount of time and if we can’t allow spending half a day at the gas station, we need to use a supercharger which consumes an immense amount of energy. When combined with a renewable energy source, a delivery point can stockpile green energy and save it for later use.Įlectric vehicles (EV) are still rare, but the fast advances in technology are increasing their popularity. Backup sources, such as batteries, can offer long-lasting protection in case of power outages and ensure continuous operation of crucial equipment. Solution: Increased energy self-sufficiency. Besides paralyzing life within the affected areas, a huge blackout can result in electronic device damage and important data loss. While Europe is not affected that often, serious cases of power outages threaten millions of people and already caused billion-dollar damages across Australia and the United States. The two most common causes of blackouts are extreme weather conditions and time-worn power lines. A shift from electricity production in a few big power plants to a system of small local energy sources that ensure energy is consumed as close as possible to its source, even on the level of individual residential buildings, e.g. For example 19% in India and an astounding 50 % in Haiti. Even though the amount of energy that is lossed is relatively low in Europe, around 4-5 %, in other countries it is reaching much higher numbers. In 2019, fees related to electricity transmission losses represented 4,57 % of the final electricity price for households and 4 % for business owners in Slovakia. In the end, these losses are paid for by everyday electricity consumers. With this approach, utility companies can improve the planning of their clients' electricity needs and smart energy management solutions can turn green energy into a reliable alternative to fossil fuels.Įlectricity distribution over long distances increases the temperature within power lines and thus causes significant energy losses in the form of heat.
Artificial intelligence can improve prediction systems and thus allow for more accurate weather or energy consumption forecasts. Batteries or other energy storage systems that can store unused energy and save it for later need. From this point of view, RES are considered an unstable energy source and their operation, without an advanced management system, can cause a serious grid imbalance. However, connecting renewable energy sources (RES) with the grid is not as simple as it may seem and their effectiveness is entirely dependent on weather conditions. In comparison, the amount of green energy generated in 2019 represented 27 % of the worldwide production and only 13 % of the entire production capacity in Slovakia. It is expected that by 2050, 62 % of generated energy will be covered by renewables. Growing amount of renewable energy sources Due to the ever-increasing demand and growth in popularity of such advances as electric vehicles, there are several challenges power grid operators need to face.ġ. In order to use its benefits, it is necessary that the amount of electricity in the grid corresponds with actual consumption needs.